Pattern of Gynaecological Cancer Presentations at a Tertiary Hospital in Ondo State, South-Western, Nigeria

 Okunnuga Ndidi Aishat ^1,2 Akadiri Olumide³, Omotayo Ramon³, Akintan Adesina³, Ayadi Adewale⁴, Okunnuga Adetokunbo Adedotun⁵

1. Department of Radiation and Clinical Oncology University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital Complex, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria
2. Department of Radiology, University of Medical Sciences Ondo City, Ondo State, Nigeria.
3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital Complex, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.
4. Department of Family Medicine, University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital Complex, Akure, Ondo state
5. Department of Histopathology, Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.

ABSTRACT

Gynaecological cancers remain the second most common cancers in women after breast cancer. They contribute significantly to cancer burden and have a higher rate of morbidity and mortality. The objectives of this study were to determine the pattern of gynaecological cancers among patients seen at gynaecology and oncology clinics, the socio-demographic factors, and pattern of presentation at the University ofMedical Science Teaching Hospital, Akure. This was a retrospective observational study of 430 women that were managed for cancers at the Oncology clinic of the University of Medical Science Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH), Akure, from 2013 to 2023. Data was collected with respect to demographic status, histopathological type, tumour stage, treatment and outcome at the above-named tertiary hospital facility in Akure, Ondo State, South West, Nigeria. During the 10-year period under study (2013 – 2023), 430 persons with a diagnosis of gynaecological cancers were attended to. Cervical cancer was the most commonlyseen (51.4%), followed by ovarian cancer (22.6%). The mean age was 51.17 years with the largest proportion of the women (36.3%) being in the age group 40 to 49 years, with the modal age being 46 years. Majority of the women (81%) were married while about forty percent (40%) of the women had a parity of 3. Cervical cancer remains the commonest gynaecological cancer. There is therefore, a need for more public enlightenment regarding the disease and the need for government to ensure availability of adequate and proper screening programs.

KEYWORDS: Cancer; Epidemiology; Gynaecology; Prevalence; Pathology; Tertiary Health Centre