Epidemiological characteristics of carcinoma of the cervix in the Federal capital Territory of Nigeria

To study the epidemiological characteristics of cancer of the cervix in the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and also to serve as baseline information for future monitoring of on-going screening for pre-malignant cervical lesions. Retrospective study of all confirmed cases of cancer of cervix managed at the National Hospital, Abuja (NHA) from its inception in 1999 to 2003. The case records of the patients were retrieved from diagnosis, treatment and follow up. Over the 5 year study period, 117 cases of cancer in women were managed in the hospital. Thirty-six (30.8%) were Cancer of the cervix. The mean age of the patients was 52.4 years, STD 1.18. Twenty-five (69.4 %) were grandmultiparous. The age at first confinement ranged from 12 to 19 (mean 15) years. Six (15%) admitted to multiple sexual partners. A common presenting complain was bleeding through the vagina 28(51.9%), 27(50%) were anaemic and 21 (38.9%) were cachetic. Late stage cancers were 31(86%), and 34 (88.9%) were squamous cell carcinoma. Radiotherapy was offered to 21(58.3%). Five (13.9%) were confirmed dead but 16 (44.4%) were lost to follow up. Cancer of the cervix present late in the FCT and the burden is heavy. The mortality is such that ongoing screening for pre-malignant lesions of the service in the FCT should be encouraged and widened.