Prevalence, Demographic Characteristics, and Tumor Localization of Gastric Adenocarcinoma in Patients Undergoing Upper Endoscopy at the Gastroenterology Center of Al-Ramadi Teaching Hospital in Western Iraq: A Five-Year Retrospective Study

Export Objective: Gastric adenocarcinoma remains a significant global health concern, with variations in prevalence and distribution across populations. Gastric adenocarcinoma exhibits regional variability, with rising incidence in Arab countries despite lower prevalence than in East Asia. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence, demographic patterns, and tumor localization of gastric adenocarcinoma among upper endoscopy patients in Western Iraq. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the Gastroenterology Center of Al-Ramadi Teaching Hospital from January 1, 2020, to January 1, 2025. Data were analyzed for 5500 patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopies, identifying 61 cases of gastric adenocarcinoma. Variables such as age, gender, and tumor location were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Chi-square test (P < 0.05). Results: The prevalence of gastric adenocarcinoma was 1.1% (61 out of 5500). Males were more affected (69.4%) than females (30.6%), with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). The most affected age group was 40–59 years (43.2%), followed by 60–79 years (35.6%). The median age at diagnosis was 60-65 years for males and 45–50 years for females. Distal tumors, particularly in the antrum (44.3%), were the most common, while proximal tumors were less frequent (8.2%). Gastric adenocarcinoma is relatively uncommon but exhibits notable gender and age-related variations. Men develop the disease at older ages, while younger females show earlier onset, suggesting genetic or hormonal influences. Distal tumors predominate, emphasizing the role of H. pylori infection and dietary factors. Conclusions: Gender and age disparities highlight potential genetic and environmental risk factors. Targeted screening for high-risk groups is recommended.