BACKGROUND: Female genital tract malignancies cause a significant number of deaths in the developing world. These deaths are however usually overshadowed by maternal deaths from obstetric causes. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: A retrospective study of all histologically confirmed female genital tract malignancies seen in the histopathology department of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital between January 2000 and December 2004. RESULTS: Sixty five female genital tract malignancies were studied. Majority of patients were in the fifth to seventh decades of life. Carcinoma of the cervix was the commonest cancer seen (49.2%) followed by ovarian cancer (21.5%). Carcinoma of the vulva was the least common cancer seen (1.5%). Squamous cell carcinoma was the commonest histological variety. CONCLUSION: Female genital tract malignancies are major causes of morbidity and mortality in Nigeria. There is thus a need for public enlightenment to increase the awareness of risk factors and the provision of regular cervical cancer screening services which should be free to encourage utilisation.
BACKGROUND: Female genital tract malignancies cause a significant number of deaths in the developing world. These deaths are however usually overshadowed by maternal deaths from obstetric causes. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: A retrospective study of all histologically confirmed female genital tract malignancies seen in the histopathology department of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital between January 2000 and December 2004. RESULTS: Sixty five female genital tract malignancies were studied. Majority of patients were in the fifth to seventh decades of life. Carcinoma of the cervix was the commonest cancer seen (49.2%) followed by ovarian cancer (21.5%). Carcinoma of the vulva was the least common cancer seen (1.5%). Squamous cell carcinoma was the commonest histological variety. CONCLUSION: Female genital tract malignancies are major causes of morbidity and mortality in Nigeria. There is thus a need for public enlightenment to increase the awareness of risk factors and the provision of regular cervical cancer screening services which should be free to encourage utilisation.