PATTERN OF LIVER METASTASIS IN GASTROINTESTINAL TUMORS AMONG YEMENI PATIENTS m.alshahary@gmail.com

 

PATTERN OF LIVER METASTASIS IN GASTROINTESTINAL TUMORS AMONG YEMENI PATIENTS

3

 

 

 

 

Yemen

Oral only

Liver metastasis from gastrointestinal (GI) cancers represents a major clinical challenge and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality. In Yemen, there is limited data characterizing the specific presentation and patterns of this disease. This study aimed to describe the demographic, clinical, and pathological patterns of liver metastasis in Yemeni patients with GI tumors and to investigate associations between primary tumor characteristics and metastatic patterns.

A retrospective, observational study was conducted at the Oncology Center of AlGomohri Teaching Hospital in Sana'a, Yemen. Data from 81 patients diagnosed between January 2023 and December 2024 were analyzed.

The mean age was 55.5 years, with a slight male predominance (54.3%). The most common primary sites were the colorectum (53.1%) and stomach (40.7%), with adenocarcinoma being the dominant histology (84.0%). A striking 91.4% of patients were asymptomatic for liver metastasis at presentation, and over 84% were diagnosed at Stage IV. Liver metastases were nearly evenly distributed between multiple (53.1%) and solitary (46.9%) patterns, with Segment IV being the most frequently involved. Bivariate analysis revealed no statistically significant associations between patient demographics, primary tumor location, or histology and the pattern of liver metastasis (p > 0.05 for all tests).

GI cancers in this Yemeni study present at an advanced, often asymptomatic, stage with liver metastasis. The lack of association with traditional clinicopathological factoIrs suggests that in advanced disease, these markers may have limited prognostic value. These findings highlight an urgent need for enhanced screening programs and early detection strategies in the region.