Medical Science
| Open Access |
DOI: Histological Spectrum and Classification of Gastric and Gastro-Oesophageal Junction Cancers in South-East Nigeria: A Retrospective Study
Kenechi Gerald Ike , FMCPath, Department of Anatomic Pathology and Forensic Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Ndukwe Chinedu , FMCPath, Department of Anatomic Pathology and Forensic Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Ejiofor Ifeoma , FMCPath, Department of Anatomic Pathology and Forensic Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Kingsley Chike Madubuike , FMCPath, Histopathology Department, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Kennedy Oberhiri Obohwemu , PhD, Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Gordon Mabengban Yakpir , PhD, Faculty of Health, Wellbeing & Social Care, Oxford Brookes University, GBS Partnership, Birmingham Campus, United Kingdom; and PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Chika Oguguo , PhD, Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Celestine Emeka Ekwuluo , MPH, Family Health International, Ukraine; and PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom; Department of Multidisciplinary Studies & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Kenneth Oshiokhayamhe Iyevhobu , MPH, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Applied Health Science, Edo State University, Iyamho, Edo State, Nigeria; Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research and Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Maame Ama Owusuaa-Asante , PhD, Department of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care, Oxford Brookes University, GBS Partnership, Birmingham, United Kingdom; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Efe Clement Abel , MPH, Clinical Service Department, Medical Research Council Unit, The Gambia; London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Oluwafemi Emmanuel Ooju , MSc, World Health Organisation, Abuja, Nigeria; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Mary Oluwayemisi Akadiri , MSc, Department of Health, Wellbeing & Social Care, Global Banking School, Oxford Brookes University Partnership, Birmingham Campus, Birmingham, United Kingdom; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Leonard Nnamdi Meruo , MHPM, Department of Oral Diagnosis and Dental Public Health, D’ Dentist Place Dental Clinic, Owerri, Nigeria; Department of Oral Pathology, D’ Dentist Place Dental Clinic, Owerri, Nigeria; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Chisom Lucky Emeka , PhD, Vaccine Preventable Diseases Unit/Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Control Cluster, World Health Organisation Country Office, Abuja, Nigeria; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Jennifer Adaeze Chukwu , PhD, World Health Organization, United Nations House, Abuja, Nigeria; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Abba Sadiq Usman , MScPH, Nutrition and Health Department, Action Against Hunger, Maiduguri Field Office, Nigeria; and Department of Interdisciplinary Studies & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Jerry Soni , MPH, United Nations World Food Programme, Damascus, Syria; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Barth Onyekachi Nwokedi , MScPH. Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. David Samuel Otu , MPH, University of Aberdeen, Scotland; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Tiphonas Moses Omale , MNSc, College of Nursing Science, Gombe State, Nigeria; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Nneka Gloria Anazodo , MSc, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Eke Desmond Onyebuchukwu , MSc, Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria; and Department of Interdisciplinary Studies & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Ekenedilichukwu Anselem Odiegwu , MScPH, Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, Lanchester Road Hospital, Durham, United Kingdom; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Chinaza Amalachukwu Emegoakor , MBChB, Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Chidinma Onyinye Emegoakor , MBChB, Independent Researcher, Pennsylvania, USA Nwora Chinonso Oli , MBBS, Department of Paediatrics, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, United Kingdom; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Orevaoghene Precious Edewor , MBBS, Department of Anaesthetics, Hull Royal Infirmary, HUTH, United Kingdom; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Bassey Etim Ekpo-Bassey , MBBS, The Life Fertility, Agege, Lagos, Nigeria; and Department of Interdisciplinary Studies & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Akeem Omokide , B. Pharm, Policy Vault Africa; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Favour Nkami Eyong , MBBS, Department of Interdisciplinary Studies & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United KingdomAbstract
Background:
Gastric and gastro-oesophageal junction cancers encompass a heterogeneous group of malignancies with distinct histological and biological characteristics. Histological classification remains central to diagnosis, prognostication, and therapeutic decision-making, particularly in settings where molecular profiling is not routinely available.
Objective:
This study examined the histological spectrum and classification patterns of gastric and gastro-oesophageal junction cancers diagnosed over a ten-year period in Anambra State, South-East Nigeria.
Methods:
A retrospective review was conducted of gastric and gastro-oesophageal junction cancer cases diagnosed between January 2011 and December 2020 across four major histopathology laboratories in Anambra State. Archived haematoxylin and eosin–stained slides and paraffin blocks were reviewed. Tumours were classified according to the 2019 World Health Organization classification of gastric tumours, with carcinomas further categorised using the Lauren classification system. Descriptive statistics and chi-square testing were applied, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.
Results:
Ninety-three cases met inclusion criteria. Carcinomas constituted the majority of tumours, followed by mesenchymal tumours, lymphomas, and neuroendocrine tumours. Tubular adenocarcinoma was the most frequent carcinoma subtype, while intestinal-type carcinoma predominated under the Lauren classification. Most graded carcinomas were well differentiated. No statistically significant associations were identified between histological subtype and patient age or sex.
Conclusion:
Gastric and gastro-oesophageal junction cancers in this setting are dominated by epithelial malignancies, particularly tubular and intestinal-type adenocarcinomas. The observed histological profile aligns with patterns reported across Nigeria and other low- and middle-income settings, underscoring the continuing relevance of morphology-based classification in regional cancer practice.
Keywords
Gastric cancer, gastro-oesophageal junction cancer, histological classification, adenocarcinoma, WHO classification, Lauren classification, Nigeria
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Copyright (c) 2026 Kenechi Gerald Ike, Ndukwe Chinedu, Ejiofor Ifeoma, Kingsley Chike Madubuike, Kennedy Oberhiri Obohwemu, Gordon Mabengban Yakpir, Chika Oguguo, Celestine Emeka Ekwuluo, Kenneth Oshiokhayamhe Iyevhobu; Maame Ama Owusuaa-Asante; Efe Clement Abel, Oluwafemi Emmanuel Ooju, Mary Oluwayemisi Akadiri, Leonard Nnamdi Meruo, Chisom Lucky Emeka, Jennifer Adaeze Chukwu, Abba Sadiq Usman, Jerry Soni, Barth Onyekachi Nwokedi, David Samuel Otu, Tiphonas Moses Omale, Nneka Gloria Anazodo, Eke Desmond Onyebuchukwu, Ekenedilichukwu Anselem Odiegwu, Chinaza Amalachukwu Emegoakor, Chidinma Onyinye Emegoakor, Nwora Chinonso Oli, Orevaoghene Precious Edewor, Bassey Etim Ekpo-Bassey, Akeem Omokide, Favour Nkami Eyong
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