EPIDEMIOLOGIE DU CANCER GASTRIQUE : EXPERIENCE D’UN CENTRE HOSPITALIER UNIVERSITAIRE D’ANTANANARIVO EPIDEMIOLOGY OF GASTRIC CANCER: EXPERIENCE OF AN UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL CENTER IN ANTANANARIVO

Background: The management of gastric cancer is a major challenge in low-income countries. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic aspects of gastric cancer in the Visceral Surgery ward of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Joseph Ravoahangy Andrianavalona  in Antananarivo. Materials and Method: This was a descriptive retrospective study conducted from January 2010 to December 2016. All patients over 18 years of age hospitalized for gastric cancer with histological confirmation were included in the study. The epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic methods were analyzed. Outcome assessment will not be the subject of this study. Results: Gastric cancer was confirmed in 68 patients. The average age was 56.5. Helicobacter pylori infection was the main risk factor. Gastrointestinal  bleeding and chronic epigastric pain were the most revealing clinical manifestations. Ulcerous and exuberant gastric injuries were the most frequent, preferentially located in the pyloric antrum (n = 38). Surgery was curative in 24 patients, palliative in 13 patients. Four patients received primary chemotherapy and 27 refused to continue treatment when the diagnosis was announced. Papillary adenocarcinoma was the most common histological type (n = 32). Conclusion: gastric cancer is discovered at an advanced stage in our center. Currently, all age groups are exposed to risk factors. Endoscopic screening and eradication of Helicobacter Pylori infection should be mandatory. Multidisciplinarity is essential in the management.