SPECTRUM AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL PATTERN OF GASTROINTESTINAL MALIGNANCIES: A TEN-YEAR RETROSPECTIVE HOSPITAL REGISTRY BASED CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY.

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers present a major global public health challenge due to their high morbidity and mortality. The pattern of gastrointestinal malignancies varies across geographical regions and is influenced by genetic, cultural, dietary, and socio-economic factors. Studying these patterns facilitates the identification of high-risk groups, the recommendation of preventive measures, and the implementation of appropriate screening strategies in vulnerable populations. This study aims to determine the pattern of gastrointestinal malignancies at a tertiary health care centre. A ten-year retrospective analysis was conducted from January 2015 to December 2024. All diagnosed cases of gastrointestinal malignancies were retrieved from Pathology department records, and socio-epidemiological data for each case were collected from the hospital record section. The cases were analyzed for site of involvement, age distribution, histological types, and year-wise distribution using descriptive analysis. A total of 614 cases of GI cancers were documented, with 281 in males (45.8%) and 333 in females (54.2%), showing an overall female predominance (M:F=0.84:1). The age distribution revealed that GI cancers were negligible below 20 years of age, began to appear after 30 years and increased gradually with aging. The peak prevalence was at the age of 60–69 years (34.6%). Beyond the age of 70, the prevalance gradually declined. Among the different anatomical sites, the stomach was the most common site of malignancy, accounting for 181 cases (29.5%) followed by oesophagus with 179 cases (29.1%), rectum (17.1%), liver (9.4%) and colon (6.8%). The present study demonstrates a rising trend of gastrointestinal cancers with advancing age with female predominance, and dominance of upper GI tract cancers.