Clinical Features of Women Diagnosed With Invasive Cervical Cancer in Ghana

Abstract

Background: The incidence of cervical cancer continues to increase in many low- and middle-income countries. It remains the commonest cancer affecting females in Ghana. However, comprehensive information on the clinical characteristics of women diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer is scarce. Aim: To characterize the clinical features of women with invasive cervical cancer in Ghana. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study in two large referral hospitals in Ghana: the Korle Bu teaching hospital, Accra and Komfo Anokye teaching hospital, Kumasi. Through the review of paper-based, electronic, and pathology medical records, information on women diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer from 1st January 2010 to 31st December 2013 was collected. The information was entered onto a standardized data abstraction sheet and included demographics, comorbid conditions, treatment and follow-up. All analyses were conducted in STATA and described the distribution of key clinical features by the stage at diagnosis. Results: A total of 1,725 women with invasive cervical cancer were included in the analysis. Few had cervical screening before their cervical cancer diagnosis (1.1%). Women who were resident in a metropolitan area ( P = 0.034), or who had any comorbidity ( P < 0.001) were at an increased risk of FIGO stage III-IV disease. The majority of women had at least two diagnostic investigations (75%) with cervical biopsy performed for 95.5% of women. More than half received radiotherapy (55.4%) and only 22.4% receiving chemotherapy. Clinical follow-up after the first consultation was performed for 61%, with 73% of women with clinical follow-up having at least one follow-up investigation. Conclusion: Improvements in access to early diagnosis and optimal treatment of cervical cancer, such as an increased use of chemoradiation would reduce the burden of the disease in Ghana.