Female genital tract malignancies in Uyo, South-South Nigeria.

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.