Prevalence and histopathological patterns of prostate cancer in Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, south eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Prostate cancer which is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Nigerian men is often associated with late presentation. The true burden of the disease is unknown because prostate cancer screening is not a common practice.

Objectives: To determine prevalence and histopathological patterns of prostate cancer in Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, South Eastern Nigeria.

Material and Methods: This is a 10 year retrospective histopathological analysis of all prostate cancer cases diagnosed between January 2007 and December, 2016 in the Histopathology department of Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, Nigeria. Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) stained histology slides/tissue blocks were retrieved and studied. The patients' bio-data were retrieved from the patient case files and departmental records. After histological assessment, the tumours were classified according to WHO recommendation. Histological grading and staging of  adenocarcinoma was done using the Gleason score.

Results: A total of 135 cases of prostate cancer were seen, constituting 3.9% of all malignancies and 10.4% of male malignancies during this period. The diagnosis was based on histopathological analysis of specimens obtained from needle biopsies and open prostatectomies. The patients' age ranged from 42-90 years with a mean age of 72± 10.2 years. The peak age at diagnosis was in the seventh decade. All the tumours were adenocarcinomas; 23 cases were well differentiated (17.0%), 65 (48.0%) cases were moderately differentiated while 47 (35.0%) cases were poorly differentiated. A mean Gleason score of 8.4±1.1 and a range of 6-9 were seen among the patients.

Conclusion: Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in Aba, Southern Eastern Nigeria. Most of the patients presented late with an increasing frequency over the years. Early and regular screening is advocated to stem the tide.

Keywords: Prostate Cancer, Histopathological Patterns, Prevalence, Nigeria