Liver cancer in Morocco: diagnosis and outcome
Wednesday, 20 August 2014
Exhibit hall (Dena'ina Center)
Hinde Hami
,
Laboratory of Genetics and Biometry, Faculty of Science, Ibn Tofaïl University, Kenitra, Morocco
Abdelhafid Ayoujil
,
Laboratory of Genetics and Biometry, Faculty of Science, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra, Morocco
Fatima-Zahra Azzaoui
,
Equip of Clinic and Cognitive Neuroscience and Health, Laboratory of Biology and Health, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, IBN TOFAIL University, Kenitra, Morocco
Faouzi Habib
,
Al Azhar Oncology Center, Rabat, Morocco
Abdelmajid Soulaymani
,
Laboratory of Genetics and Biometry, Faculty of Science, Ibn Tofaïl University, Kenitra, Morocco
Abdelrhani Mokhtari
,
Laboratory of Genetics and Biometry, Faculty of Science, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra, Morocco
Ali Quyou
,
Laboratory of Genetics and Biometry, Faculty of Science, Ibn Tofaïl University, Kenitra, Morocco
INTRODUCTION: Liver cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in Northern Africa. It is the second most common cancer after breast cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related death in both sexes, with an estimated 19 653 new cancer cases and 18 704 deaths from the disease in 2012, the most recent year for which international estimates are available (GLOBOCAN 2012). The aim of this study is to determine the epidemiological characteristics of liver cancer in Morocco.
METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of liver cancer cases, diagnosed and treated at Al Azhar Oncology Center in Rabat between 1994 and 2004.
RESULTS: There were 48 cases diagnosed with liver cancer at Al Azhar Oncology Center; 24 in women and 24 in men, accounting for 5.5% of all new cases of gastrointestinal cancer reported during the study period. The average age at diagnosis was 59±13 years. The risk of developing the disease is strongly related to age with 19.2% of cases diagnosed in patients younger than 50 years, 70.2% in those aged 50-74 years and 10.6% in those aged 75 years and over. Among all detected cases, 14.6% (7 cases) were diagnosed with metastatic disease and 39.6% (19 cases) died during the study period, accounting for 9.7% of all gastrointestinal cancer deaths.
CONCLUSIONS: Despite the limitations of the available data, it is clear that there are several barriers to access to cancer control in developing countries. This includes prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment.
