Renal Carcinoma Patterns and Prevalence in Bahrain: A Descriptive Study

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Oncology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Urological cancers represent a significant global health burden, accounting for 12.9% of new cancer cases and 8% of cancer deaths worldwide.
• The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have reported a substantial number of renal cell carcinoma diagnoses, highlighting regional incidence patterns.
• Understanding the epidemiology of kidney cancer is crucial for public health initiatives and healthcare system planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of kidney cancer cases diagnosed at Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) in Bahrain.
• To provide data on kidney cancer incidence, histological subtypes, and staging within the local population.
• To inform potential national strategies for addressing kidney cancer etiology and management.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective review of all kidney cancer cases documented at SMC between 2014 and 2018.
• Data collection included patient demographics, histological type, TNM staging, and World Health Organization (WHO) grade from electronic health records.
• Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 23.

Main Results:

• A total of 65 kidney cancer cases were identified from 2014 to 2018, averaging 13 cases annually.
• The mean age at diagnosis was 57.6 years, with clear cell carcinoma being the most prevalent histological subtype (37.5%).
• Stage 1 was the most common diagnosis stage (35.4%), with age-standardized mortality rates of 4.59 per 100,000 for males and 4.58 per 100,000 for females.

Conclusions:

• Kidney cancer presents a considerable challenge to patients and healthcare systems in the region.
• Further national research into the etiology and epidemiology of kidney cancer in the local population is warranted.
• Improved accessibility to data on diagnosis, management, and follow-up can positively impact the healthcare system's response to kidney cancer.