A histopathologic review of cervical cancers in Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer is the most common gynecological malignancy globally, with a high prevalence in developing countries. We, therefore, undertook this review to document and evaluate its prevalence and histologic patterns seen at a tertiary hospital in Jos, Northcentral Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This is a 10-year (2006–2015) retrospective study of all cervical cancers diagnosed at the Pathology Department of Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos Nigeria. Results: Three hundred and six cervical cancers accounting for 92.4% of all gynecologic malignancies were diagnosed during the 10-year study period. Patient's ages ranged from 18 to 85 years (mean 51.12 ± standard deviation 12.63 years), with peak occurrence in the fifth decade. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was by far the most common histologic type (88.9%), the most common histologic grade was moderate differentiation (70%). Adenocarcinomas accounted for 4.3% and leiomyosarcoma accounted for only 0.03% of cases (1 case only). Only 0.65% (2) patients knew their HIV status and both had SCC. Conclusion: Our finding of the dismal proportion of cervical cancer is consistent with most published reports in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa but somewhat at variance with that reported in the developed world where cervical cancer is much less common. A total reappraisal of our preventive efforts is therefore needed urgently.