AS WE SAY “PREVENTION IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN CURE”

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Gastric cancer remains one of the most common and deadly cancers worldwide. Based on GLOBOCAN 2018 data, stomach cancer is the 5th most common neoplasm and the 3rd most deadly cancer, with an estimated 783,000 deaths in 2018. Gastric cancer incidence and mortality are highly variable by region and highly dependent on diet and Helicobacter pylori infection. Hence the aim of this study was to analyze the benefits of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGI Scopy) among patients with Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease symptoms (GERD) and analyze the results of the same, in an attempt to find and diagnose patients with early stage gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study of all patients attending general surgical outpatient department for dyspepsia, GERD and associated symptoms during the year 2019-2020. After institutional ethical clearance, patients written informed consent was obtained after explaining the procedure to them. A through history and examination was done and following this UGI scopy was performed and the findings recorded. Results: there were a total of 2038 cases. Among these patients 95.78% of them had significant findings. Reflux esophagitis was found in 13.7%, Antral gastritis in 26.4% and Pangastritis in 39.6%, Duodenitis was found in 10.69%, esophageal varices in 4.31% and esophageal candidiasis was 3.72%. 7.2% of the patients were diagnosed with malignancies. Conclusion: Upper GI endoscopy is therefore an effective tool to facilitate earlier diagnosis and treatment in patients with GERD like symptoms.