Pattern and relative frequencies of gynecological malignancies at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Abuja

Abstract

Background: Gynecological cancers have been shown to contribute overwhelmingly to gynecological mortality worldwide, particularly in developing countries. An in-depth study of the patterns of the distribution will help to elucidate the estimates of the disease burden in University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH). Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the pattern and relative frequencies of gynecological cancers at UATH. Materials and Methods: Case notes of patients managed for gynecological cancers at UATH over a 5-year period from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2018 were retrieved. Relevant data on age, parity, and type of cancer, clinical, surgical, and histopathological diagnosis were collated using a proforma and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Result: A total of 167 gynecological cancer cases of 3030 gynecological admissions were seen during the period putting its to prevalence at 5.5%. The most common gynecologic cancer was cervical cancer that constituted (88) 52.7% of the cases; ovarian 47 (28.1%), endometrial 17 (10.2%), choriocarcinoma 11 (6.6%), and vulva cancers 4 (2.40%) are not so common. The mean age and parity at presentation are cervical cancer (55.50 ± 12.71 and 4.41 ± 2.05), ovary (42.34 ± 14.91 and 2.94 ± 2.11), uterus (50.54 ± 15.18 and 3.39 ± 2.25), and vulva (63.50 ± 15.09 and 5.50 ± 2.38), respectively. The overall mean age for all cancers is 51.16 ± 14.95 and overall parity is 3.85 ± 2.21. Majority presented in advanced stage of the disease; the most common cause of death is renal failure. Conclusion: The burden of gynecological cancers is high, although cervical cancer is on downward trend in our environment and most cancer cases came as late presentations.