Smooth muscle tumours of the gastrointestinal tract

Fifty smooth muscle tumours arising in the gastrointestimal tract and recorded in the surgical pathology files at the University Hospital of the West Indies were reviewed in an attempt to document their histopathological features. The mean age at occurrence was 59.8 years with a range of 34-80 years. Most tumours (64 percent) were symptomatic, while the remainder were incidental findings at laparotomy. The main symptoms were an abdominal mass, gastrointestinal bleeding, weight loss, vomiting, dysphagia and obstructive jaundice. The size of the tumours varied from less than 1 cm in diameter. Thirty-nine were from stomach, two from the duodenum, seven from the jejunum and ileum, one from the colon and one from the rectum. Tumours were classified as either benign, of indeterminate malignancy or frankly malignant. A rough correlation between malignance and the size of the tumours was found. The larger tumours were invariably malignant and the smaller tumours benign. There were three bizarre smooth muscle tumours one of which was frankly malignant.(AU)

Aspects of cancer of the gastro-intestinal tract in Jamaica

Some of the cancers of the Gastro-intestinal tract take on a special significance in Jamaica. This is particularly evidenced by the incidence figures of Cancer of the Oesophagus and Cancer of the Stomach in males. A recent publication from the International Union against Cancer, compared data from 32 Cancer Registries in 24 Countries. Among these Jamaica was found to have the highest incidence of Cancer of the oesophagus Cancer exceeding the Jamaican rates, but as no Cancer Registry figures were available from those countries, a comparison could not be made. Jamaica's high incidence figures are shared by at least 2 other Caribbean islands, Puerto Rico and Curacao. Cancer of the Stomach is the most common single type of Cancer in Jamaican male. The incidence figures for all types of Gastro-intestinal Cancer will be briefly discussed in relation to rates in other parts of the world and the suspected aetiological factors wil be briefly reviewed (AU)

Gastro-enterostomy from the economic viewpoint; a plea for its more extensive use, with a review of 104 cases

Attention is drawn to the high incidence of peptic ulceration as a result of faulty habits in the country parts of Jamaica. The reasons for the recommendation of the posterior No-Loop isoperistaltic operation are propounded. A discussion of the pathology, and the aims of operative treatment, are given. The opinion is expressed that the ankylostoma may be an aetiologic factor in peptic ulceration. 104 cases are presented. The pre- and post-operative treatment are outlined, and emphasis laid on the important points of operative technique, which seems to be the cause of widely diverging reports on the incidence of anastomotic ulcers(AU)