DOI: 10.36347/sasjs.2023.v09i01.004

Pages: 13-17

Introduction: Treatment of digestive cancers is not the only challenge for the practitioner over the world. Getting sound diagnosis still remains a big challenge given the pitfalls and difficulties occurring at this stage. The objective of the current study was to unravel pitfalls and difficulties related to the diagnosis of digestive cancer in northern Benin. Methodology: a cross-sectional study carried out from 2013 to 2017 at 4 hospitals in northern Benin was designed to discuss the efficiency of the current diagnosis tools and their limits for a good diagnosis. Results: In total, 141 cases of digestive malignancy were clinically suspected. The anatomo-pathological study was performed in 47.5% of cases (n=67) and did not confirm the disease in 25.4% of cases (n=17). Computed tomography was also applied in 3.5% of cases (n=5). The most frequent differences occurred in diagnosing gastric ulcers (5/17), adenoma and colonic polyps (4/17), erosive esophagitis (3/17), erosive gastritis (3/17), digestive tuberculosis (2/17). The non-availability of appropriate diagnosis tools, the assessment cost of clinical status, and the lack of financial means and advanced deterioration of patient's clinical condition remain the major factors limiting a sound diagnosis. Conclusion: Diagnostic difficulties are almost present when suspecting digestive tumor and may explain the reason why digestive cancers were underestimated in our context.