Main Article Content

Pattern Of Cancer In Maiduguri, Nigeria: Tumours In Adults


UH Pindiga
U Babayo
BO Omotara

Abstract

Objective: To determine the general pattern of cancer in Maiduguri, Nigeria.

Methods: This was a retrospective study. All cancer cases in our diagnosis register between 1989 and 2003 were retrieved and studied. The tumours were classified according to the Armed Forces Institute of Pathologists (AFIP) of America as modified from the World Health Organisation (WHO). The frequencies of the tumours were then analysed and presented in tables.

Results: During the study period (January 1989 to December 2003), there were a total of 13,874 biopsies out of which cancer constituted 2341 cases (16.9%). The commonest cancer in the study was carcinoma of the uterine cervix (19.5%) followed by cancer of the female breast (12.5%). Gastro-intestinal, skin and soft tissue cancers were commoner than prostatic cancer (6.2%) in general contributing 10.5%, 9.1% and 6.3% respectively. However, prostatic cancer was the commonest cancer amongst males. Cancers of the urinary tract and the head and neck accounted for 5.5% and 4.5% and ranked 7th and 8th respectively.

Conclusion: Our study revealed that cancer was common in our center and the two most common cancers were cervical and breast cancer respectively. Cancer of the uterine cervix was commoner than breast cancer unlike other parts of Nigeria and Africa in general. Therefore there is the urgent need to set up oncology unit to promote prevention and control of cancer.

Key words: Cancer pattern, carcinoma of cervix, breast, soft tissues, prostate, Maiduguri, Nigeria

Highland Medical Research Journal Vol.2(2) 2004: 42-46

Journal Identifiers


eISSN: 1596-2407