Reviews
Vol. 9 No. 1 (2026)
Gastric cancer in Nigeria: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of incidence, risk factors, pathology, and outcomes
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All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
Published: 10 April 2026
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Gastric cancer is a significant global health challenge with wide regional disparities. In Nigeria, data remain fragmented, derived largely from single-center reports, with no prior pooled analysis. This study aimed to conduct the first systematic review and meta-analysis of gastric cancer in Nigeria, evaluating its epidemiology, clinicopathological features, management patterns, and survival outcomes.
We systematically searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, AJOL, ProQuest, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and Nigerian repositories for English-language human studies published between 1990 and 2025. Data were extracted using standardized proformas. Pooled analyses were performed using random- or fixed-effects models depending on heterogeneity.
Sixteen studies involving 1,497 patients from 9 Nigerian centers were included. The pooled mean age at presentation was 54.5 years (95% Confidence Interval, CI 53.9-55.2), almost a decade younger than the global median. Male predominance was observed (61.5%; M:F ratio 1.6:1). Adenocarcinoma accounted for ~91% of cases, predominantly intestinal type. Distal location was most common (68%), although a proximal shift was reported in Ibadan cohorts. Advanced stage disease was nearly universal, with 91% of patients presenting at stage III–IV. Resection rates averaged 34%, perioperative mortality 12%, and five-year survival was 11.8% (95% CI 8-16%), ranging from 21.8% in Zaria to 5.7% in Maiduguri.
Gastric cancer in Nigeria presents earlier, predominantly in males, and overwhelmingly at advanced stages, with poor survival. Urgent priorities include improving endoscopic access, early diagnosis, multimodality therapy, and national registry development.
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How to Cite
“Gastric Cancer in Nigeria: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Incidence, Risk Factors, Pathology, and Outcomes”. 2026. Pyramid Journal of Medicine 9 (1). https://doi.org/10.4081/pjm.2026.588.
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