A Five-Year Review of Female Genital Tract Malignancies at The University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The burden of female genital track malignancies is of public health concern worldwide. Determining the prevalence will help in policy formulations and priority setting for disease prevention and management in health institutions in Northeast Nigeria.
Objectives: To determine the frequency, trend and age pattern of female genital cancers in a referral tertiary health facility in Northeast Nigeria.
Methods: A retrospective descriptive analysis of histologically confirmed cancers of the female genital tract managed at the University of Maiduguri Teaching hospital for the period 1st January, 2011 to 31st December, 2015.
Results: Female genital tract malignancies constituted 32% of all female cancers and 7% of gynaecological admission in this study. Cervical cancer was the most common gynaecological malignancy constituting 59.3 % (n=128) followed by ovarian cancer (n=46; 21.3%). Other genital tract malignancies seen include uterine cancer (n=22; 10.2%; majority of which were endometrial cancer (n=19; 8.8%) while uterine sarcoma constituted 3(1.4%)). Choriocarcinoma and vulva cancers contributed 7% (n=15) and 1.4% (n=3) respectively. While cervical cancer was on the decrease, ovarian cancer showed a rising trend during the period under review. The age range for all gynaecological cancers was 18 to 85 years and the mean age (SD) was 43.8 (± 14.5) years. The mean age (SD) for cervical cancer was 51.5(± 12.1). A third of the cervical cancer cases were 20-39 years old. Choriocarcinoma is commoner in younger age groups with a mean age (SD) of 26.6(± 8.0).Vulva and vaginal cancers are least common and occurred in those greater than 60years.
Conclusions: Thirty two per cent of all female cancers were of female genital tract and cervical cancer was still the common female genital tract cancer in this facility. The high prevalence of cervical cancer and increasing trend of ovarian cancer calls for awareness campaign and targeted population screening program for female genital cancer in this region.