Histopathological Pattern of Carcinoma of Cervix in Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Nigeria

Abstract

AIM: To document the prevalence and histological types of cervical carcinoma in Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria and to suggest ways of reducing the incidence.

SETTING: The department of Morbid anatomy and Histopathology laboratory of the Olabisi Onabanjo Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Ogun State.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The materials for this study comprised slides and tissue blocks of all cases of cervical cancers diagnosed in department of Morbid Anatomy and Histopathology, OOUTH, Sagamu from January 2003 to December 2004.These were retrieved and reviewed. Relevant clinical information extracted from the case notes, request and report forms included the ages of patients, histological types and stages of the disease.

RESULTS: Cervical cancers represent 50% of cervical tissue biopsies and 60% of all gynaecological cancers in Sagamu, South West, Nigeria. It occurs commonly between the ages of 31 to 70years with the peak in the 41 to 50years age brackets.93.6% of malignant cervical neoplasms were found to be squamous cell carcinoma variety. Adenosquamous carcinoma and Adenocarcinoma constituted 3.2% each respectively. Five cases (13.9%)were carcinoma-in-situ (CIN III). Well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma represents 39%, poorly differentiated carcinoma and moderately differentiated carcinoma represent 33.3% and 17.7% respectively.45.2% of the patients present with stages 3 and 4 of the disease.

CONCLUSION: The incidence of cervical carcinoma is high in Sagamu and may be related to sexual activities in this environment. Efforts should be geared towards mass education about the cause of the disease. Routine cytological screening of the population for cervical cancers is highly necessary as early detection and treatment of the cancers will go a long way reducing the mortality and morbidity of the disease.
The sentinel node (SN) procedure has emerged as an alternative to systematic lymphadenectomy and it is our candid opinion that our surgeons be trained to master the this procedure


NQJHM Vol. 16 (3) 2006: pp. 80-84