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Published:
Mar 7, 2013Keywords:
Cervical cancer presentation vaginal bleeding
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Pattern of Presentation of Cervical Cancer at Nnamdi Az ikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi
Abstract
Background: Cervical cancer is the second commonest
cancer among women worldwide. It remains the commonest
cancer cause of death among women in developing countries.
Objectives: This is to assess the pattern of presentation of
cervical cancer in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching
Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi and to make relevant
recommendation concerning screening.
Methods: This is a retrospective review of the case records of
st patients managed for cancer of the cervix between January 1
st 1999 and December 31 , 2008.
Results: Thirty seven patients were included in the study.
The mean age of the patients was 59.7 + 13.3 years while the
mean parity was 6.4 + 3.2. Only 23.1% of the women had at
least a secondary education while 46.2% had no formal
education. The commonest presenting symptom was post
menopausal vaginal bleeding (67.6%) followed by irregular
vaginal bleeding (59.5%), watery vaginal discharge (35.1%)
and post coital bleeding (16.2%). Weight loss was present in
29.7% while 10.8% had evidence of distant metastasis. The
mean duration of symptom was 4.5 + 3.6 months, and the
commonest cause of delayed presentation was inability to
appreciate the problem (77.8%). Only 7.1% had stage 1
disease while 46.4% had stage 3b. Complication was present
in 75.7% of patients. Squamous cell carcinoma accounted for
84.2% of the cancers. Treatment was mainly palliative for
these women.
Conclusion: Late presentation is common in our
environment. Women empowerment and increased provision
of cervical cancer screening are expected to reduce the burden
of this disease. In resource-deprived settings, expanded
training on visual inspection techniques cannot be
overemphasized.
Key words: Cervical cancer, presentation, vaginal
bleeding.
Afrimedic Journal 2010; 1(1): 20-23
cancer among women worldwide. It remains the commonest
cancer cause of death among women in developing countries.
Objectives: This is to assess the pattern of presentation of
cervical cancer in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching
Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi and to make relevant
recommendation concerning screening.
Methods: This is a retrospective review of the case records of
st patients managed for cancer of the cervix between January 1
st 1999 and December 31 , 2008.
Results: Thirty seven patients were included in the study.
The mean age of the patients was 59.7 + 13.3 years while the
mean parity was 6.4 + 3.2. Only 23.1% of the women had at
least a secondary education while 46.2% had no formal
education. The commonest presenting symptom was post
menopausal vaginal bleeding (67.6%) followed by irregular
vaginal bleeding (59.5%), watery vaginal discharge (35.1%)
and post coital bleeding (16.2%). Weight loss was present in
29.7% while 10.8% had evidence of distant metastasis. The
mean duration of symptom was 4.5 + 3.6 months, and the
commonest cause of delayed presentation was inability to
appreciate the problem (77.8%). Only 7.1% had stage 1
disease while 46.4% had stage 3b. Complication was present
in 75.7% of patients. Squamous cell carcinoma accounted for
84.2% of the cancers. Treatment was mainly palliative for
these women.
Conclusion: Late presentation is common in our
environment. Women empowerment and increased provision
of cervical cancer screening are expected to reduce the burden
of this disease. In resource-deprived settings, expanded
training on visual inspection techniques cannot be
overemphasized.
Key words: Cervical cancer, presentation, vaginal
bleeding.
Afrimedic Journal 2010; 1(1): 20-23
