Study on Gynaecological Malignant Tumours at a University Teaching Hospital in Imo State South-Eastern Nigeria

Background: Gynecological malignancies are significant contributors to morbidity and mortality in women and are key components of reproductive health. They are found all across the world, though their distribution varies by region.

Objectives: To assess the frequency and pattern of Gynaecological malignancies at a University Teaching Hospital in South Eastern Nigeria.

Methodology: From January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2013, all patients with histologically proven genital tract cancers in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of a University Teaching Hospital in South Eastern Nigeria were analysed retrospectively.

Results: Cervical cancer accounted for 60.1 percent (131/218) of the 218 cases, ovarian cancer 20.6 percent (45/218), corpus uteri cancer 10.6 percent (23/218), vulval cancer 8.2 percent (18/218), and vaginal cancer 0.5 percent (1/218). Overall, the age distribution was primarily between the ages of 30-69, with a high in the 40-49 age group. Cervical and ovarian cancers were most common in people aged 40 to 49, accounting for 39.7% and 24.5 percent of all cancers, respectively. The Gynaecological malignancies appear to occur less at the extremes of age (<20 years and
70 years).

Conclusion: The most common type of gynaecological cancer in this study was cervical cancer. Despite the fact that it is the most preventable of all gynaecological cancers and a leading source of morbidity and mortality in Nigeria, it continues to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Health education, awareness creation and good government policies are key to curbing this ugly trend.