A Histopathological Spectrum of Gastrointestinal Tract Lesions in a Tertiary Care Centre in South Western Part of India: An Epidemiological Study

Background: Diseases of Gastro-intestinal Tract (GIT) are more common than any other systems in human body. Adenocarcinomas are more common in intestine. Aim and Objectives: To study the age, sex, and site wise distribution of various types of benign and malignant GI lesions. Material and Methods: The prospective study of 159 patients having gastrointestinal lesion were included in this study over a period of one year from October 2016 to September 2017. The materials were collected in the form of biopsy and resected specimens of gastrointestinal tract with relevant clinical history and sent in 10% Formalin and processed in automatic tissue processor. Routine Hematoxylin and Eosin stain and special stains were done wherever needed. Results: Out of total 5000 specimens 159 cases (3.18%) were GIT lesions, both benign and malignant. Appendicitis was the most common benign lesion comprising of 52.14% of cases. Adenocarcinoma being the most common type of gastrointestinal tract malignancy (48.57%). The second most common malignancy was squamous cell carcinoma (37.14%). Most common lesion of the oesophagus was squamous cell carcinoma whereas adenocarcinomas were the most common lesion of stomach and large intestine followed. Conclusion: Histopathological evaluation is the gold standard for the early detection of GI tract lesions especially malignant one hence it helps in their early management