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Malignant diseases at Nnewi: the continuing scourge of late presentation
Abstract
Background: Late presentation to hospital by patients with malignant diseases has remained a chronic problem. This work aims at studying the number of patients with malignant diseases that presented late to our centers as against those that presented early, to find out reasons for late presentation and to suggest ways of decreasing the incidence of late presentation.
Patients and Methods: General surgical patients with malignant diseases seen between September 11, 2003 and September 10 2010 were recruited. Each lesion was clinically staged and a histological diagnosis obtained. At presentation, any lesion still within the primary site of origin and/or the regional lymph node was considered ‘early’. If the lesion had gone beyond the regional lymph node, it was considered ‘late’.
Results: A total of 822 patients with confirmed malignant lesions were seen. Their ages ranged from 21 to 85 years. There were 364 males and 458 females. Majority of the patients did not acquire secondary education. Only 234 (28.5%) presented early. The remaining 588 patients (71.5%) presented late.
Conclusions: Majority of the patients with malignant diseases in our community present late to hospital. Poverty and illiteracy on the part of the patients, as well as deceit of patients by quacks contribute significantly to these late presentations. Missed diagnosis by some doctors is also contributory. To decrease these late presentations, efforts should be directed at improving the general literacy level and the financial capability of the community as well as the diagnostic acumen of doctors.
Patients and Methods: General surgical patients with malignant diseases seen between September 11, 2003 and September 10 2010 were recruited. Each lesion was clinically staged and a histological diagnosis obtained. At presentation, any lesion still within the primary site of origin and/or the regional lymph node was considered ‘early’. If the lesion had gone beyond the regional lymph node, it was considered ‘late’.
Results: A total of 822 patients with confirmed malignant lesions were seen. Their ages ranged from 21 to 85 years. There were 364 males and 458 females. Majority of the patients did not acquire secondary education. Only 234 (28.5%) presented early. The remaining 588 patients (71.5%) presented late.
Conclusions: Majority of the patients with malignant diseases in our community present late to hospital. Poverty and illiteracy on the part of the patients, as well as deceit of patients by quacks contribute significantly to these late presentations. Missed diagnosis by some doctors is also contributory. To decrease these late presentations, efforts should be directed at improving the general literacy level and the financial capability of the community as well as the diagnostic acumen of doctors.
