Abstract
Background:
Cancer has become a growing health concern in Pakistan, and the situation in Gilgit-Baltistan(GB) is particularly challenging. The region’s mountainous geography, limited healthcare infrastructure, and scattered population make timely diagnosis and treatment very difficult. Although there are no regional cancer registries or large-scale studies from GB, data from our hospital provide valuable insight into the types of cancers being seen and the challenges faced by both patients and healthcare providers.
Objective:
To present our hospital’s experience in assessing the cancer burden in Gilgit-Baltistan, identify the most common malignancies and demographic trends, and discuss the major challenges and ongoing efforts in delivering effective oncology care within the region’s limited resource setting.
Methods:
A retrospective review of our hospital’s cancer data was analyzed cases by type, gender, age, and stage at diagnosis. These findings were supplemented by clinical observations and experience from daily oncology practice in GB.
Findings:
Our hospital data indicate thatbreast, gastrointestinal (GI), and lung cancersare thethree most common malignanciesseen in Gilgit-Baltistan. Breast cancer remains the leading cancer among women, most often detected at advanced stages due to limited awareness about early warning signs such as breast lumps, nipple discharge, or changes in breast shape or skin texture. Cultural barriers and lack of education further delay medical consultation.
Gastrointestinal cancers, particularly colorectal and gastric, are increasingly reported among both men and women. This trend may be related to dietary changes, low fiber intake, and limited knowledge about key symptoms like persistent abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits, or unexplained weight loss.
Lung cancer continues to be the most frequent malignancy among men, commonly associated with tobacco use, exposure to wood smoke, and delayed recognition of symptoms such as chronic cough, breathlessness, or chest pain. In addition, prostate cancer, skin malignancies, and lymphomas are also observed with notable frequency. There are also rare presentations of cancers, including uncommon soft-tissue tumors, reflecting the diverse but under-documented cancer landscape of the region.
Most patients present between 35 and 55 years of age, and the majority are diagnosed at advanced stages (III or IV). Late presentation is largely due to low awareness of cancer symptoms, long travel distances, and limited diagnostic facilities. These factors together highlight the urgent need for community education and early detection efforts in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Conclusion:
Our hospital’s experience reflects both the seriousness of the cancer problem in Gilgit-Baltistan and the determination of local healthcare providers working under challenging conditions. Despite limited resources and difficult geography, our team has taken a proactive approach, organizing community awareness sessions, early detection activities, and outreach programs aimed at improving understanding of cancer symptoms and encouraging timely medical consultation. These initiatives have already shown positive results and demonstrate that meaningful progress is possible even in remote, resource-constrained regions. Sustained investment in diagnostic facilities, awareness campaigns, and community-based cancer education will be essential to curb the growing cancer burden and improve outcomes for patients in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Dr Paras Abbas Ghandalo
GINOR, Hospital. GILGIT