FREQUENCY OF MALIGNANT TUMOURS IN PATIENTS WITH GASTRIC OUTLET OBSTRUCTION AT THE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITALS OF KIGALI AND BUTARE.

General objective: To determine the frequency of malignant tumours in patients presenting with gastric outlet obstructionat the University Teaching hospitals of Kigali and Butare.
Methods: This is a prospective observational study carried from April 2013 to September 2013. A Structured questionnaire was used to collect demographic data, clinical information and investigations data. The diagnosis of gastric outlet obstruction was based on clinical signs and symptoms and an inability to intubate the second portion of the duodenum during an upper GI endoscopy. Biopsy specimens were taken during endoscopy and/ or laparotomy and sent for analysis.
Results: Fifty-five patients that presented with gastric outlet obstruction were included in the study. The age range is from 18 to 77 years with a mean age of 52.2. The males were the most affected (32 cases: 52%) than females (23 patients: 42%). 37 patients (67%) of these patients had a malignancy as the cause of their gastric outlet obstruction. 18 patients (32%) had a benign disease.
Conclusion: The frequency of malignancy in patients presenting with gastric outlet obstruction is greater than 50%. In gastric outlet obstruction, the male patients were the most affected by malignancies.