Author: Offor JO , Makinde OO, Almustapha M, Achusi IB

Manuscript ID: AFMJ-Aug-2024-7958 Date Published: 2024-02-14 11:19:32

Background:

Gynaecological cancers in Nigeria are associated with high morbidity and mortality due to late presentation and lack of treatment facilities. There is a need to evaluate the trend and outcome of the disease in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory.

Methods:

A 5-year retrospective study of all histologically diagnosed gynaecological cancer managed at Federal Medical Centre Abuja from 14 th May 2018 to 13th May 2022. Their case notes were retrieved and relevant information was extracted. Data was collected using an Epi InfoTM version 7.2.2.6 and results were presented as frequencies and percentages for categorical variables and mean and standard deviation for continuous variables.

Results:

Out of the 8,425 gynaecological cases managed within the study period, 58 of them were gynaecological cancers, giving a prevalence of 0.69%. Their overall mean age was 50.96 12.6 years. Cervical cancer was the commonest with a prevalence of 39.66%, followed by ovarian (27.59%), endometrial (25.86%), choriocarcinoma (5.17%) and vulva (1.72%). The majority presented in early stage 1 disease (39.66 %), followed by stage 3 (27.59%), then stages 2 (24.14%) and 4 (8.62%). The majority (32.76%) received surgery/chemotherapy, 31.03% referred for chemoradiation alone. The overall outcome revealed that 43 (74.14%) were alive and 15 (25.86%) were dead. Ovarian cancer contributed 37.50% to the mortality followed by endometrial cancer (33.33%) and cervical cancer (17.39%).

Conclusion:

The prevalence of gynaecological cancers has been on the rise in our facility, with cervical cancer being the commonest. Most were of early-stage disease with high survival rates. The mortality recorded was mostly from delays in the commencement of radiotherapy, necessitating government intervention.

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