Authors: Mikolélé Ahoui Apendi C, Itoua-Ngaporo NA, Mongo-Onkouo A, Mimiesse Monamou J, Ngami RS, Motoula Latou M, Ngalessami Mouakosso M, Adoua CS, Deby Gassaye, Atipo Ibara BI.
Introduction: As in several regions of the world, in Brazzaville, pancreatic cancer seems to be increasing in recent years. We carried out this work with the aim of verifying this observation and determining the current patient profile.
Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive study, carried out over the period from January 1, 2018 to June 30, 2024, in the Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine department of the Brazzaville Hospital and University Center. Data were collected from medical records. The diagnosis of pancreatic cancer was made on the basis of a combination of clinical, biological and morphological arguments, or on a histological examination. Data entry was carried out using Excel software. Data are expressed as percentages for quantitative variables and means or medians for quantitative variables.
Results: During the study period 5,605 patients were admitted to the department. Among them, 83 had pancreatic cancer, representing a hospital frequency of 1.5% of hospitalizations. There were 43 women and 40 men, giving a sex ratio of 0.9. Depending on the year, 10 cases (2.8%) were diagnosed in 2018 and 13 cases (2.8%) in mid-year 2024. The mean age of the patients was 58.8 ± 15.6 years, with extremes of 17 and 91 years. The classic risk factors were rarely found, alcohol in 45.8% of cases (n=38), tobacco in 28.9% (n=24) and diabetes mellitus in 24% (n=20). The clinical manifestations were dominated by the classic typical triad associating cholestatic jaundice, a large liver and a large gallbladder, in approximately 50% of cases. Tumor markers were rarely used in diagnosis.
Abdominal ultrasound visualized the tumor in approximately 73% of cases (n=23). CT was not performed in all patients. In almost 15% of cases, the tumor was exteriorized at the level of the duodenal papilla, diagnosed at digestive endoscopy. Histological proof of diagnosis was only available in three patients. In the majority of cases the diagnosis is made at a very advanced stage, explaining the occurrence of death during the first hospitalization in 50 patients (60.2%).
Conclusion: Pancreatic cancer appears to be increasing, particularly among females. The average age seems to be declining, and mortality remains very high.
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