Original Article
Copyright ©2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. May 28, 2014; 20(20): 6293-6301
Published online May 28, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i20.6293
Cancers in Eastern Libya: First results from Benghazi Medical Center
Zuhir Bodalal, Raouf Azzuz, Riyad Bendardaf
Zuhir Bodalal, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Libyan International Medical University, Benghazi 15016, Libya
Raouf Azzuz, Department of Oncology and Hematology, Benghazi Medical Center, Benghazi 24508, Libya
Riyad Bendardaf, Oncology Unit, Department of Medicine, University Hospital Sharjah, Sharjah 72772, United Arab Emirates
Author contributions: Bendardaf R and Bodalal Z conceived the study; Bodalal Z gathered the data and performed the statistical analysis; Bodalal Z performed the literature review; Bodalal Z wrote the manuscript; Bodalal Z, Bendardaf R and Azzuz R contributed scientifically to the discussion of the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Dr. Zuhir Bodalal, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Libyan International Medical University, Kairawan St.Al-Fowaihat, Benghazi 15016, Libya. zuhir.bodalal@limu.edu.ly
Telephone: +218-91-4789141 Fax: +218-61-2233909
Received: September 14, 2013
Revised: January 27, 2014
Accepted: February 17, 2014
Published online: May 28, 2014
Core Tip

Core tip: The cancer incidence in Libya has changed greatly since the last time it was determined, nearly a decade ago. The most common cancers are breast, colorectal and lung cancers. Libya has the highest rate of colorectal cancer in North Africa. Late presentation was found to be a major problem in the Libyan case. Clear urban-rural differences were seen when the different districts were analyzed. Different hypotheses were put forth to explain these variations. Proper surveillance programs need to be in place and healthcare policies should be adjusted to take into account the more prevalent and pressing cancers in society.