Abstract
Background: Comprehensive estimates of the incidence of gynaecological malignancies reported from Nigeria are very limited due to limitation in record maintenance. Female cancer is a public health problem the world over. The malignancies of the female genital organs are major causes of morbidity and mortality which necessitates data for policy formulation and health planning. Aim: To establish the profile of gynaecologic malignancies reported in our centre, with reference to incidence, histological subtypes and frequency of involvement at various sites and to compare the procured data with those from other national and international centers. Materials and Method: In this descriptive retrospective study, the records pertaining to all the pathological specimens categorized as gynaecological malignancies from January 1st, 2013 to December 31st, 2015 at our facility were studied and compared with the available international data. Data analysis was done using Epi Info software version 7.2.1 (CDC Atlanta Georgia). Result: Two hundred and eleven (211) cases of gynaecological malignancies were seen during the study period and this constituted 13.4% of gynaecological admissions. Cervical malignancies were the commonest constituting 49.2% of all gynaecological malignancies followed by ovarian malignancies (27.8%), endometrial cancers (11.9%), vulva (5.6%), choriocarcina (3.9%) and vagina (1.6%). The data obtained was compared with data from Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Result (SEER) programme in the United States and European Union. All malignancies except cervical cancers affected a younger age group at our centre. Cervical cancers presented at a relatively more advanced stage, Ovarian cancers were more localized, whereas uterine, vulva and vaginal cancers presented at a similar stages as compared to Western data. Conclusion: This study presents a composite data of Gynaecological malignancies from Southeast Nigeria. Advanced stage of presentation of cervical cancers suggests lacunae in screening programmes available. Compared with Western data, ovarian malignancies were more localized at presentation for which environmental or genetic factors may be responsible.
Highlights
Gynaecological cancers form a huge burden of morbidity and mortality around the world [1]
This study presents a composite data of Gynaecological malignancies from Southeast Nigeria
There has been limited recent information on the profile of gynaecological cancers in Abakaliki, the decision to carry out this study to determine the profile of gynaecological malignancies in Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, as this could have significant implications on health planning and policy decisions
Summary
Gynaecological cancers form a huge burden of morbidity and mortality around the world [1]. Data available from various centres worldwide are indicative of vast regional variability in incidence, common site of occurrence, age and stage of presentation [2]. While information on such issue is readily available from the developed world, composite data from Nigeria are deficient [3]. Malignancies of the female genital organs are major causes of morbidity and mortality [5] This is so in the developing countries where there are poor awareness and late presentation [6]. The malignancies of the female genital organs are major causes of morbidity and mortality which necessitates data for policy formulation and health planning.
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