Histopathological pattern of endometrial cancers in Kano, North-Western Nigeria: A 5-year retrospective review

Abstract

Background and Objective: Endometrial cancers occur globally with wide geographical variation in prevalence and histopathological pattern related to the level of socioeconomic development in the society. The objective of this study was to determine the age, frequency distribution and histopathological spectrum of endometrial cancers in Kano, North-western Nigeria.

Materials and Methods: This was a 5-year retrospective study from 2nd January, 2011 to 31^st December, 2015 of all endometrial cancers diagnosed at the pathology department of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria.

Results: Forty-one cases of endometrial cancers were diagnosed during the five-year study period. The ages range from 32 to 80 years (mean age of 56.5 years) and relative peak age of incidence occurring in the 51 -60 years group. Carcinomas accounted for the majority (32 cases, 78%) of endometrial cancers distantly followed by malignant mesenchymal tumours (7 cases, 17.1%), while theremaining 2 cases (4.9%) were malignant mixed Mullerian tumours. Most lesions were Grade 2 or 3.

Conclusion: Malignant tumours of the endometrium are relatively uncommon in Kano afflicting people in the sixth and seventh decades, which were similar to most published reports in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa but at variance with the developed world where endometrial cancer is the most common invasive cancer of the female genital tract. Higher histological grades characterize our patients hence the need to control modifiable risk factors like sedentary life style, obesity and oestrogen usage.