GASTRIC-CARCINOMA IN THE SULTANATE OF OMAN - INCIDENCE AND DISTRIBUTION

Gastric carcinoma has always been considered a major problem in the Su ltanate of Oman. This study was conducted to document the cases in Oma n over a two-year period, in order to determine incidence, age, sex an d geographical distribution of the condition. All cases of gastric car cinoma in Omani nationals presenting to the medical facilities through out Oman from November 1987 to November 1989 were reviewed from pathol ogy records, surgical database records and by personal communication w ith surgeons at regional hospitals. Specimens taken at surgery or endo scopic biopsy were examined and classified according to Lauren's crite ria. Over the two-year period, 104 cases of gastric carcinoma were obs erved. This represented an annual incidence of 4.2/100,000 population, but when adjusted to the standard European population age distributio n (in the Oman population, 51% are under 15 years of age), the inciden ce was 8.6/100,000. The male:female ratio was 1.6:1 and the peak age g roup was 60-69. All tumors were advanced and most were located in the antral past of the stomach. There were more intestinal types of tumors than diffuse and a preponderance of intestinal metaplasia. This first survey of stomach carcinoma in Oman will provide a reference for futu re studies and indicates the need for earlier detection.