Pattern of female genital tract malignancy at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: To evaluate the relative frequencies and stage at presentation of the various types of female genital cancers in Enugu and to compare that with other centres both within and outside Nigeria.
METHODS: This is a retrospective study covering a period of five years from 2005 - 2009. Data on female genital cancers were collected from patients’ case notes from the gynaecology ward of University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu, the cancer registry and histopathology records from morbid anatomy department. The data were analysed using SPSS version 11 Statistical programme.                                               Results: Relative frequency of the female genital tumours shows that cancer of the uterine cervix was the commonest with 77(65.8%). This was followed by ovarian cancer contributing 19(16.2%) , uterine cancer accounted for 15(12.8%), vulval (4.3%) and vaginal cancers(0.9%). The highest parity rate was amongst the women with cervical cancer. Fifty (65%) of the cervical cancer patients were grandmultiparous, 71.4% of cervical cancer patients presented at advanced stage (stages III and IV) while 82% of ovarian cancer patients presented at advanced stages.
Conclusion: Cervical cancer is the most common gynaecological cancer seen in University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital and most of them present in advanced stage of the disease with poor outcome. This is worrisome knowing that cancer of the uterine cervix is to some extent potentially preventable and can be diagnosed early with effective screening. There is need to create policies aimed at mandatory and free cervical cancer screening of every sexually active woman from 25years and above.

Key words: Genital malignancy, Enugu, parity, stage of cancer