Endometrial carcinoma in Nigerians. A pathologic study.

Endometrial carcinoma is an uncommon disease in the Nigerian female and its ratio to carcinoma of the cervix could be as low as 1:40, compared with the about 1:2 ratio for the temperate climates. In the 10-year period under review (1973-1982), only 10 cases could be clearly established. Nine tumors were adenocarcinomas, with most of these exhibiting a papillary pattern, while the tenth case was an adenosquamous carcinoma. One of the papillary adenocarcinomas contained clear cells. Most lesions were Grade I or Grade II. The youngest patient was 42 years of age while the oldest patient was aged 78 years (mean age, 58.9 years). A more favorable grade and lesser degree of myometrial invasion characterized the neoplasms in the younger patients.