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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · South Asian J Cancer 2014; 03(01): 054-056
DOI: 10.4103/2278-330X.126526
ESOPHAGEAL CANCER : Original Article

Study of socio‑demographic determinants of esophageal cancer at a tertiary care teaching hospital of Western Maharashtra, India

Purushottam A. Giri
Department of Community Medicine (PSM), Rural Medical College and Pravara Rural Hospital, Loni, Dist. Ahmednagar, Maharashtra
,
Kailash K. Singh
Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Rural Medical College and Pravara Rural Hospital, Loni, Dist. Ahmednagar, Maharashtra
,
Deepak B. Phalke
Department of Community Medicine (PSM), Rural Medical College and Pravara Rural Hospital, Loni, Dist. Ahmednagar, Maharashtra
› Author Affiliations Source of Support: Nill.
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Abstract

Background: Esophageal cancer has a peculiar geographical distribution and shows marked differences in incidence within a particular geographical region. Presently, as there seems little prospect of early detection of this cancer, an understanding of the etiological factors may suggest opportunities for its primary prevention. Objectives: The present study was carried out to find out the socio-demographic determinants of esophageal cancer in a tertiary care teaching hospital of western Maharashtra, India. Materials and Methods: A retrospective hospital record-based study was carried out for the period of five years (2007-2011) in the department of Radiotherapy of Pravara Rural Hospital, Loni, western Maharashtra, India. A total of 5879 patients were diagnosed with cancer, of them, 207 (3.52%) patients had esophageal cancer. Data was collected on the basis of the patients′ record in the hospital and analyzed in the form of percentage and proportions whenever appropriate. Results: Out of total 5879 patients who were diagnosed with cancer during the five studied years, 207 (3.52%) patients had esophageal cancer, of which 121 (58.46%) were males and 86 (41.54%) were females, which show predominance of males over females. Most of the patients (28.50%) belonged to lower class, while only 9.66% were from upper class. Majority of the patients (54.14%) had a history of tobacco chewing, followed by smoking (cigarette, bidi, or both) in 36.94% and alcohol in 21.65%. Conclusion: The present study shows that esophageal cancer constitutes 3.52% of cancer cases. There is a need to screen the high-risk group of people, improve socio-economic status, and efforts must be made to introduce a set of preventive measures that have the potential to significantly reduce the burden of disease and to help bridge the gap between research and public awareness.

Key words

Esophageal cancer - rural area - socio-demographic determinants - tertiary care teaching hospital


Publication History

Article published online:
31 December 2020

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