Frequency of Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancers Based on Upper and Lower Endoscopic Findings in Lorestan Province,Western Iran

Background: In view of high prevalence of GI cancers in Lorestan Province, western Iran, and a large number of esophageal cancer patients in this region, this study was done to determine the frequency of various GI cancers in the area. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, all patients from Lorestan Province for whom endoscoppy and colonoscopy were performed and biopsy was provided entered our study. Distribution of cancers in terms of age, sex, site of involvement and type of pathology was determined. Results: Of 3088 endoscopic patients, 408 cases (13.2%) were with GI cancers. The most prevalent one was esophageal cancer with 216 cases (52.93%) followed by gastric and colon cancers. All the studied cancers were more common among men than women. The most frequently observed pathology was squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in esophageal cancer and adenocarcinoma in gastric and colon cancers. Conclusion: The most prevalent GI cancer in the present study was esophageal cancer followed by gastric and colon cancers. So further studies concerning prevalence and ethiology of GI cancers are needed to be undertaken.