Pattern and Distribution of Cancer Cases in Marib, Yemen, during 2022/2023

Abstract

Background: Cancer is a global public health issue with a higher mortality rate than other diseases. Cancer has become a significant public health problem in Yemen and the ongoing influence of conflict has led to a decline in cancer care. This study is aimed to describe the patterns of cancer among 172 cases in Marib, Yemen, between 2022/2023.
Methods: Detailed information on 172 cases was collected from the histopathological records of patients registered in the Department of Histopathology at the National Center for Public Health Laboratories, Marib, Yemen, between January 2022 and December 2023. These cases were calculated based on sex, age, and tumor location, and separate analyses were performed for the major cancer types.
Results: The results showed that a total of 172 cancers were included, 40.7% were males and 59.3% female with a female -to- male ratio of 1.5:1. The most frequent cancer in the Yemeni population in Marib was colorectal cancer (n = 26, 15.1%), followed by breast cancer (n = 24, 14%), lymphoma (n = 17, 9.9%), head and neck cancer (n = 15, 8.7%), and gastric cancer (n = 14, 8.1%). The most common cancer among males was colorectal cancer (n =15, 8.7%), while females had breast cancer (n = 23, 13.4%).
Conclusion: Our findings showed that gastrointestinal tract cancers were the most frequent sites of cancer in general and breast cancers in females. Colorectal and gastric cancers were the most frequent types in males. This may explain why healthcare collapse with ongoing conflict and pesticide use has been observed in agricultural products, including khat. Marib should have an oncology center with essential diagnostic and therapeutic services that are freely available to all cancer patients.