Pattern of Gynaecological Malignancies at a University Teaching Hospital In Southwest Nigeria: A 5-Year Review

Abstract

Background: The study determined the pattern and distribution of gynaecological cancer cases seen at a university teaching hospital in southwest Nigeria over a 5-year period.

Methodology: It was a 5-year retrospective review of all gynaecological cancer cases seen and managed at the hospital from 1 September 2013 to 31 August 2018.

Results: A total of 6247 gynaecological admissions and 902 gynaecological cancers were seen in the hospital during the study period accounting for a proportion of 14.4%. Of these 902 cases, 835 (92.6%) women had their detailed records available for data extraction and analyses. Cervical cancer was the most commonly seen malignancy (61.7%). The mean age of the patients was 52.5 ± 12.4 years with the largest proportion of the women being in the age group of 50–59 years (26.9%). A large proportion (35.6%) of the patients had a parity of 5 or more with an overall median parity of 4 (IQR, 1–5) while the largest proportion (59.1%) were postmenopausal women. The highest mean age was seen in women with vulvar cancer (67.2 ± 0.6 years) while the lowest was in those with sarcoma botryoides (12.3±1.01 years).

Conclusion: There was a steady annual increase in the number of gynaecological cancer cases at the hospital during the period under review. The most common cancers seen in this study are associated with advanced age, increased parity and postmenopausal status. There is a need for improved public enlightenment on the importance of routine screening and for consistent government policy on the institution of an effective organised screening programme for cervical cancer.