The prevalence of oesophageal premalignant lesions among the Tamil patients, Northern Sri Lanka

Dr. R. Surenthirakumaran

Consultant community physician, senior lecturer, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna

Dr. N. Vikneswaran

Senior Consultant gastroenterologist, Singapore General Hospital

Prof. M. V. C de Silva

Professor of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo

Dr. A. A. H. Priyani

Consultant Pathologist, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo

Dr. S. Thuraisamy Sarma

Consultant surgeon, senior lecturer, Faculty of Medicine University of Jaffna

Dr. S. Gobishankar

Consultant surgeon, senior lecturer, Faculty of Medicine University of Jaffna

Dr. K. Anuradha

Consultant gastroenterologist, Teaching Hospital Jaffna

Dr. V. Thushyanthan

Consultant gastroenterologal Surgeon, Teaching Hospital Jaffna

Dr. A. J. Thanenthiran

Consultant Oncological Surgeon, Teaching Hospital Jaffna

Dr. Chrishanthi Rajasooriyar

Consultant Oncologist, Teaching Hospital, Jaffna

To determine the prevalence of esophageal premalignant lesions (squamous dysplasia, koilocytotic atypia) in Tamil patients undergoing OGD in Teaching hospital Jaffna and to determine factors associated with esophageal premalignant lesions.

The incidence of Oesophageal cancer is on the rise in Sri Lanka over the last decade and becoming a significant health problem. A disproportionately higher incidence of oesophageal cancer has been reported among the Tamil speaking Sri Lankans

With the introduction of tri-modality treatment (Neoadjuvant chemo-irradiation followed by surgery) as per CROSS trial, an overall 5-year median survival of 44.4% has been reported However, in the Sri Lankan setting, most patients do not qualify for tri-modality at the time of presentation. Hence, early diagnosis is the way forward to prevent or diagnose the disease early.

This preliminary study aims at identifying the prevalence and the correlation with risk factors. This study will also pave the way to identify the high-risk category of individuals, which will enable the next phase study at the community to identify the premalignant lesions in the high- risk category.

A descriptive cross-sectional hospital-based study done at the endoscopy unit of Teaching Hospital, Jaffna, Sri Lanka.

All Tamil patients undergoing OGD at the endoscopy Unit of Teaching Hospital, Jaffna presenting with dyspeptic and gastric acid reflux symptoms.