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| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2018 | Volume
: 25
| Issue : 1 | Page : 52-56 |
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Trend of cancer incidence in an oncology center in Nigeria
Anthonia Sowunmi1, Adewunmi Alabi2, Omolara Fatiregun3, Temitope Olatunji2, Uchenna Samuel Okoro2, Abayomi Francis Durosinmi Etti1
1 Department of Radiation Biology, Radiotherapy, Radiodiagnosis and Radiography, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
2 Department of Radiotherapy, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria
3 Department of Radiology, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria
| Date of Web Publication | 2-Jan-2018 |
Correspondence Address:
Dr. Anthonia Sowunmi
Department of Radiation Biology, Radiotherapy, Radiodiagnosis and Radiography, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos
Nigeria
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/wajr.wajr_26_17
Background: Globally, 32.5 million people diagnosed with cancer within the 5 years previously were alive at the end of 2012. 8.2 million deaths and 14.1 million new cases are recorded annually, but 70% will be in developing countries. Lung, breast, and colorectal cancers are commonly diagnosed. Aim and Objectives: The aim and objectives of this study is to review the trend of cancer incidence in Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) from January 2004 to December 2013.Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study of histologically confirmed malignancies seen at Radiotherapy Department, LUTH from January 2004 to December 2013. Case files were retrieved through the record department, and the information required was extracted with the aid of a data extraction form. Results: A total of 3,314 new cases of cancer were recorded in LUTH during the study period. The mean age of cancer presentation is 48.52 (±16.44). The median age is 49.00 years with an age range of 1–100 years. The peak age incidence for males was 50–54 years accounting for 10% of all male presentation while females had a peak age incidence of 40–44 years accounting for 14% of female cases. The male-to-female ratio was 1:3. Breast (38.1%), cervical (17.0%), and colorectal cancers (3.3%) are the common ones recorded. In males, the most common cancer was prostate cancer (12.8%) followed by colorectal cancer (4.5%). Conclusion: In general, cancer incidence in Nigeria appears low compared to developed countries which may not truly reflect the burden of the disease. This could be due to poor population-based statistics and poor health patronage of orthodox medical care. Keywords: Cancer, incidence, Nigeria, trend
How to cite this article:
Sowunmi A, Alabi A, Fatiregun O, Olatunji T, Okoro US, Durosinmi Etti AF. Trend of cancer incidence in an oncology center in Nigeria. West Afr J Radiol 2018;25:52-6 |
How to cite this URL:
Sowunmi A, Alabi A, Fatiregun O, Olatunji T, Okoro US, Durosinmi Etti AF. Trend of cancer incidence in an oncology center in Nigeria. West Afr J Radiol [serial online] 2018 [cited 2023 Sep 24];25:52-6. Available from: https://www.wajradiology.org/text.asp?2018/25/1/52/221917 |
| Introduction | |  |
Globally, 32.5 million people diagnosed with cancer within the 5 years previously were alive at the end of 2012.[1] 8.2 million deaths and 14.1 million new cases are recorded annually but 70% will be in developing countries.[1] The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that 12.5% of all deaths are attributable to cancer and if the trend continues, it is estimated that by 2020, 16 million new cases will be diagnosed per annum out of which 70% will be in developing countries.[2] Cancer is the second most common cause of death in developed countries following cardiovascular disease, as population aging continues in many countries, cancer will remain a major health problem worldwide as elderly peoples are most susceptible to cancer.[2],[3] The percentage increase in cancer in many African countries is higher than in developed countries this can be attributed to lack of awareness about the risk factors and changes in lifestyle.[4] GLOBOCAN burden rises to 14.1 million new cases and 8.2 million cancer deaths in 2012 compared with 12.7 million new cases and 7.6 million cancer deaths in 2008.[3] The most common cancer diagnosed worldwide is lung (1.8 million, 13%), breast (1.7 million 11.9%), and colorectal (1.4 million, 9.7%) while the most common cause of cancer deaths were lung (1.6 million, 19.4%), liver (0.8 million, 9.1%), and stomach (0.7 million, 8.8%) due to growth and aging of the global population.[3] A projection of 19.3 million new cancer cases per year for 2025 has been predicted by GLOBOCAN 2012.[3]
The burden of cancer in Nigeria is unknown due to improper data from poor funded cancer registries that produce hospital-based data as well as missed diagnosis.[4] Jedy-Agba et al. in their population-based cancer registries from Ibadan and Abuja reported age-standardized incidence rate (ASR) for all invasive cancer as 66.4/100,000 men and 130.6/100,000 women in the Ibadan Population Based Cancer Registry (IBCR) and 58.3/100,000 men and 138.6/100,000 women in Abuja Population Based Cancer Registry (ABCR).[3] The earliest report from IBRC by Edington and Maclean in 1960–1969 was ASR of 105.1 and 78/100,000 females and males, respectively.[5] In 1998, Thomas et al. reported 74.5 and 63.9/100,000 for female and male, respectively.[6] IBCR (2001–2005) reported 115.1 and 81.6/100,000 in female and male respectively [7] while ABCR (2009–2010) reported 130.6 and 66.4/100,000 female and male, respectively.[3] In Ghana, ASR was 89.1 and 104.1/100,000 for males and female.[8] The mortality rates in Nigeria recorded by the WHO from all sites of cancer in 2002 were 72.2% and 76% for male and female, respectively.[8]
In the United kingdom where population-based cancer registries have 100% geographic coverage, and effect follow-up mechanisms is in place, 412 and 335/100,000 in male and female, respectively, between 1993 and 1995 and 409 and 348/100,000 in male and female, respectively, were reported between 2002 and 2004.[9] The aim of this study was to review the trend of cancer incidence in Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) from January 2004 to December 2013.
| Materials and Methods | | |
This is a retrospective study of all patients with histologically confirmed malignancies listed in the medical records register and seen at the Department of Radiotherapy, LUTH from January 2004 to December 2013. Case files were retrieved through the record department and the information required was extracted with the aid of a data extraction form. All possible information including patients' age, sex, occupation, marital status, ethnic group and histology were evaluated. Statistical analysis was done using the SPSS (version 21) program. Analyzed data are presented in the form of frequency tables, charts, and crosstabulations. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics and Research committee of LUTH, Lagos State where the study was done.
| Results | | |
A total of 3,314 new cases of cancer were recorded in the Department of Radiotherapy, LUTH from January 2004 to December 2013 [Figure 1]a. | Figure 1: (a) Cancer incidence between 2004 and 2013 in the Lagos University Teaching HospitalL. (b) Mean age of cancer presentation in Lagos University Teaching Hospital 2004–2013
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The highest incidence of 435 new cases was seen in 2005 followed by 429 new cases in 2013 and the third highest incidence of 348 new cases in 2006. The lowest number was 260 cases in 2008 [Figure 1]b.
The mean age of cancer presentation is 48.52 (±16.44). The median age is 49.00 years with an age range of between 11 months and 96 years. The peak age incidence for males was 50–54 years accounting for 80 (10%) of all male presentation followed by 60–64 years which accounted for 69 (9%) patients and third highest age incidence in male was between 30 and 34 years where 64 (8%) were reported. For females, the peak age incidence was 40–44 years accounting for 350 (14%) female new cases. This was followed by 50–54 years where 302 (12%) new female cases were reported and 30–34 years which accounted for 277 (11%) new cases of female cancer presentation [Figure 2].
A total of 2,519 (76%) new cases recorded during the period were females while 795 (24%) were males, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:3 [Figure 2]. The combined ASR for all cancers in males and females were 55.8 and 189.9/100 000, respectively.
2,459 (74.2%) of patients that presented with cancer within the period under study were married and 456 (13.8%) patients were single. 399 (12.0%) patients were either widowed or separated [Figure 3]. | Figure 3: Pattern of presentation of cancers in Lagos University Teaching Hospital 2004–2014
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Breast cancer was the most common cancer presentation for both female and males under the period of study accounting for 1263 (38.1%) of patients, cervical cancer was the second most common with 563 (17.0%.) new cases. Colorectal cancer was the third most common accounting for 109 (3.3%) of all cancer presentations. Prostate cancer, eye cancer, and ovarian cancer accounted for 103 (3.1%), 66 (2.0%) and 47 (1.4%) of new cases, respectively, [Figure 3] and [Figure 4]a. | Figure 4: (a) Pattern of cancer presentation for males (b) Pattern of presentation for females
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In terms of gender distribution, for males the most common cancer was prostate cancer with 12.8% of all presentation, followed by colorectal cancer 4.5%. Nasopharyngeal cancer and eye cancer are the third and fourth most common cancer in males accounting for 3.5% and 3.3% of all male cancer presentation. The least common male cancer was parotid and thyroid cancer at 1.5%, respectively [Figure 4]a and [Figure 4]b.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in females accounting for 49.9%, followed by cervical cancer in 22.4%, and others are ovarian 21.9% and colorectal 2.3%. Liver cancer was the least common cancer 1.4% [Figure 4]b.
| Discussion | | |
Cancer is a global health issue and it is the most common noncommunicable disease. Approximately, one-third of it is preventable, another third are potentially curable if detected early and the remaining third incurable but managed with palliative care to improve the quality of life.[4] The incidence of cancer in Nigeria and indeed Africa varies remarkably from that of the rest of the world, especially the economically developed countries since only about 1% of worldwide cancer data comes from Africa.[10] This could be due to poor population-based statistic and poor health patronage of orthodox medical care.[10] This trend was noted in the number of new cases reported annually in the period being investigated
The gender incidence of cancer, male-to-female ratio of 1:3 noted in this study, is consistent with a similar study conducted by Jedy-Agba et al. in Ibadan and Abuja, who reported M: F ratio of 1:2 in both centers.[3] The combined ASR for all cancers in males and females were 55.8 and 189.9/100 000, respectively.
Anyanwu reported similar findings in Eastern Nigeria of 1:3 which also correlates with the WHO estimated incidence of cancer from all sites in 2002 for Nigeria which was 90.7 and 100.9/100,000 for males and females respectively.[3],[11] This is comparable to 89.1 and 104.1/100,000 incidence for males and females and 72.2 and 79.6 crude mortality rates recorded for Ghana [5],[10] but much less than figures recorded for the United Kingdom and the USA.[1]
In general, cancer incidence in Nigeria appears low compared to developed countries which may not truly reflect the burden. Similar to reports from other parts of the world, incidence rates in the UK are lower than in the European Union in males but higher in females (Worldwide Cancer Statistics: Cancer Research UK 2012). This may be due to their increased interaction of the health-care system, i.e., uptake of maternal and child health services, greater population awareness of breast and cervical cancers, better health-seeking behavior of women compared to men.[12]
The mean age of 48.52 (±16.44) at presentation reported in this study was consistent with similar studies in Lagos by AbdulKareem,[12] who reported 49.67 (±18.79); however, this was lower than that reported by the UK NCI EGRP (2012)[2] for Europe and North America who had mean age of 52.9 (16-0). This difference could due to early detection programs and overall better medical services.[2]
Breast cancer and cervical cancer are the most common cancers in LUTH during the study accounting for 1263 (38.1%) and 563 (17%) new cases. Prostate cancer was the most common for men accounting for 424 (12.8%) cases, this was consistent with the results from Ibadan and Abuja cancer registries in 2009 of 40.8%, 24%, and 21.7% incidence, respectively.[3] This report appear higher than GLOBOCAN estimates for breast cancer for the whole country which for the period of 1998–2000 is 32.9%.[1],[4] This increasing incidence may be due to improved diagnosis, better access to care, and better case reporting.[3] Globally, statistics have shown that the annual incidence of breast cancer is increasing, especially in countries with previous low-incidence rates.[1],[4]
Carcinoma of the cervix is second most common cancer noted in the study which is the consistent with the trend reported by Popoola et al. as well consistent with the GLOBACAN statistics for 2008 reports of 26.7%.[13] The high incidence of cervical cancer has been attributed to poor awareness about the risk factors and change in lifestyle. In addition, poor compliance for screening participation and follow-up for abnormalities detected is also a major challenge.
Worldwide, incidence and mortality from cervical cancer are second only to breast cancer, and in parts of the developing world, cervical cancer is the major cause of death in women of reproductive age.[10] This geographical disparity is related to the absence of effective screening programs, late presentation, and lack of treatment facilities. Epidemiologic and biological studies have not shown significant differences in tumor biology in countries with high rates of cervical cancer.[14]
Prostate cancer is the third most common malignancy and the most common cancer in men in Lagos which is similar to figures from Ibadan and Abuja cancer registries.[3] This is similar to reports from other African countries such as Ghana and Tanzania [8],[15] but at variance with cancer incidence studies in Western Europe and America which rated lung cancer as the most common cancer.[15] This can be related to the high incidence of smoking.
| Conclusion | | |
In general, cancer incidence in Nigeria appears low compared to developed countries which may not truly reflect the burden of the disease. This could be due to poor population-based statistics and poor health patronage of orthodox medical care.
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
| References | | |
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| 3. | Jedy-Agba E, Curado MP, Ogunbiyi O, Oga E, Fabowale T, Igbinoba F, et al. Cancer Incidence in Nigeria: A report from population-based cancer registries. Cancer Epidemiol 2012;36:e271-8. |
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| 8. | Naaeder SB, Archampong EQ. Cancer of the colon and rectum in Ghana: A 5-year prospective study. Br J Surg 1994;81:456-9. |
| 9. | Howlader N, Noone AM, Krapcho M, Miller D, Bishop K, Kosary CL, et al SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975-2014, National Cancer Institute. Bethesda, MD, Available from: https://seer.cancer.gov/csr/1975_2014/, 2017. |
| 10. | Howlader N, Noone AM, Krapcho M. SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975–2008. SEER data Submission Wikipedia-Epidemiology of Cancer 2011. |
| 11. | Anyanwu SN. Breast cancer in Eastern Nigeria: A ten year review. West Afr J Med 2000;19:120-5. |
| 12. | Abdulkareem F. Epidemiology and Incidence of Common Cancers in Nigeria: Cancer Reg & Epid Workshop; 2009. p. 11-2. |
| 13. | Popoola AO, Fatiregun O. Prevalence and Pattern of Cancers among Adults Attending a tertiary Health Institution in Lagos, Nigeria. IOSR J Dent Med Sci 2013;6:68-73. |
| 14. | Janicek MF, Averette HE. Cervical cancer: Prevention, diagnosis, and therapeutics. CA Cancer J Clin 2001;51:92-114. |
| 15. | Hsing AW, Tsao L, Devesa SS. International trends and patterns of prostate cancer incidence and mortality. Int J Cancer 2000;85:60-7. |
[Figure 1], [Figure 2], [Figure 3], [Figure 4]
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