Research Article

DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE AND CHEMORADIOTHERAPY TREATMENT OUTCOME OF CERVICAL CANCER PATIENTS: A LOW-RESOURCE SETTING PERSPECTIVE

Ali Abba Tijjani1*, Shehu Salihu Umar2, Ibrahim Abba Tijjani3, Charles Okwonna4, Aminu Bello Liman5, Adamu Abdullahi6, Adeniyi Adenipekun7
1 Department of Radiology, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria; Department of Clinical Oncology, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria
2 Department of Radiology, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
3 Department of Radiology, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria
4 St Lukes Cancer Centre, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford, Surrey
5 Ahmadu Bello University Zaria
6 Department of Radiology, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria; Department of Radiation and Clinical Oncology, Ahmadu Bello University, Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
7 Radiation Oncology Department, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
* Corresponding author: abbaalielfezangmail.com
Published: Jan, 2025
DOI: 10.67579/njo.2025.pcr7fzt5
Pages: 110-122
Views: 279
Downloads: 137

Abstract

Introduction: Cervical cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality especially in developing countries with steady rise in its incidence and mortality over the years. Most women with cervical cancer in sub-Saharan Africa present late with locally advanced disease and require external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy for effective curative treatment.

Methods: The records of 243 cervical cancer patients that received treatment between January 2008 and December 2012 were retrospectively reviewed, only patients with locally advanced disease (FIGO stage IIA – IVA) were included in the study. Patients’ socio-demographic information and response to treatment were extracted and documented in a semi structured proforma questionnaire.

Results: The mean age of cervical cancer patients was 50.7 ± 11.1 years. Majority of the patients were multiparous (95.1%) and full-time housewives (68.3%) and presented late. Mean duration of symptoms was 9.5 months (range:1-48months). Majority of the patients received induction chemotherapy (70.8%) and few had standard concurrent chemoradiation (7.8%) and brachytherapy (10.3%). Almost all the patients had curative dose of external beam radiotherapy (90%) but less than half (46.7%) had complete response following treatment.

Conclusion: Most of the cervical cancer patients presented late. Treatment outcome as evaluated by tumor response was relatively poor due to inability to access standard concurrent chemoradiation and brachytherapy treatments. Early detection of disease and timely access to treatment would improve the treatment outcome.

Keywords

Radiotherapy Brachytherapy Chemotherapy Outcome Response

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How to Cite

Tijjani, A. A., Umar, S. S., Tijjani, I. A., Okwonna, C., Liman, A. B., Abdullahi, A., & Adenipekun, A. (2025). DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE AND CHEMORADIOTHERAPY TREATMENT OUTCOME OF CERVICAL CANCER PATIENTS: A LOW-RESOURCE SETTING PERSPECTIVE. Nigerian Journal of Oncology, 1(1), 110-122. https://doi.org/10.67579/njo.2025.pcr7fzt5

A. A. Tijjani, S. S. Umar, I. A. Tijjani, C. Okwonna, A. B. Liman, A. Abdullahi, and A. Adenipekun, "DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE AND CHEMORADIOTHERAPY TREATMENT OUTCOME OF CERVICAL CANCER PATIENTS: A LOW-RESOURCE SETTING PERSPECTIVE," Nigerian Journal of Oncology, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 110-122, January 2025. doi: 10.67579/njo.2025.pcr7fzt5

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