An undergraduate medical student’s research found that gastric cancer, which is commonly seen in persons aged around 55 years in India, was affecting the young too.
Deeksha Muralidhar, a final year MBBS student of Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (SRIHER), analysed the records of 177 patients for her study “Gastric Cancer in the Young”.
“Off the cases, 9.6% were below the age of 40. These persons had no genetic causes. This was mainly due to change in dietary habits or substance abuse,” she said. She along with 14 medical students and one intern presented their research at the first International Conference of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons of ASEAN that was held in Ho Chi Minh City of Vietnam on June 28 and 29.
S.M. Chandramohan, director, International Programme for Students, SRIHER, said the prevalence of gastric cancer in persons aged below 40 was a disturbing trend. “Poorly differentiated tumours are more common in young people. In young patients with symptoms, we do not suspect gastric cancer as the first diagnosis, unless there is a family history. It also has an aggressive course in the young,” he told reporters on Friday.
The research also found that men were commonly affected than women — 58.8% men in the studied sample had gastric cancer.
Barrett’s esophagus
The research of Jesse Jeswanth, a third year MBBS student, found there was a possible increase in the incidence of Barrett’s esophagus in patients suffering from long-term Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). He looked at 51 patients, who had suffered reflux-related symptoms.
“Barrett’s esophagus was considered a disease of the west. But I came across articles that said that it was increasing in Asian countries, including India. The risk factors included westernisation, smoking and alcohol consumption,” he said. His research showed an incidence of 19.6%, and he plans to expand his study.
The students’ presentations had original research in upper gastrointestinal and complex case scenarios. Three faculty members also delivered lectures and chaired scientific sessions at the conference. K. Balaji Singh, dean-Students, SRIHER, was present.