A Ten - Year Review of Gynaecological Malignancies in Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria (1990-1999)

A restrospective study of gynaecological malignant tumours was undertaken between January 1990 - December 1999 inclusive. It consisted of all gynecological specimens sent to histopathology laboratory in 10% formalin-saline solution. Those diagnosed as malignant tumours were retrieved from our records. A total of 2,673 malignant tumours were recorded out of which 386 were of gynaecological malignant tumours.Cancer of the cervix accounted for77.0% which were seen in advanced stages, followed by ovarian 11.0%, endometrial 6.5% and vulval cancers 4.1%. Cervical cancer was the predominant gynaecological cancer in this hospital. This high incidence may be attributed to a lack of awareness of the nature of the disease which may be responsible for the late presentation in the hospital. The number of cases of other gynaecological malignancies like ovarian and endometrial cancers have continued to rise in our hospital, and like cancer of the cervix, patients presented late. Sahel Med. J. Vol.6(2) 2003: 49-5