TITLE:
Radical Hysterectomy in Cervical Cancer: Patients’ Epidemiological and Clinical Profiles and Perioperative Outcome in Two Referral Hospitals in Cameroon
AUTHORS:
Théophile Njamen Nana, Robert Tchounzou, Fulbert Nkwele Mangala, Alphonse Ngalame, Henri Essome, Sedrick Tiokeng, Sidonie Noa Ananga, Andrew Tassang, Humphry Tatah Neng, Isaac Mboh Eyong, Gaetan Andre Wambo Simo, Felix Adolphe Elong, Fidelia Kobenge Mbi, Junior Cédric Nana Njamen, Charlotte Tchente Nguefack, Thomas Obinchemti Egbe, Gregory Ekane Halle, Emile Telesphore Mboudou, Marcellin Ngowe Ngowe
KEYWORDS:
Cervical Cancer, Radical Hysterectomy, Epidemiological and Clinical Profiles, Outcomes, Cameroon
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.14 No.3,
March
29,
2024
ABSTRACT: Background: Cervical cancer (CC) is one of the most frequent
cancers and the leading cause of death from gynecological cancer in Low and
middle income countries, Cameroon inclusive. Surgery is the primary treatment
modality when the disease is diagnosed at early stage. Radical hysterectomy in
cervical cancer has not been evaluated in recent years in Cameroon. The purpose
of this study is thus to evaluate the epidemiological and clinical features and
short term outcomes of patients who underwent surgery. Patients and methods: This retrospective study was conducted at the Douala Gynaeco-obstetric and
Pediatric Hospital and the Douala General Hospital. Cervical cancer patients
who underwent Radical hysterectomy between January 2015 and December 2020 were
included. A pre-established data collection tool was used to record socio-demographic,
clinical and outcomes information from patients’ files; additional outcome
information was obtained from phone calls. Descriptive analysis was done using
the SPSS version 26. Bivariate analysis was used to determine associations
between disease and patients characteristics and occurrence of adverse
postoperative outcome. P value of 0.05 was considered. Results: Sixty
one patients were enrolled. Their ages ranged from 33 to 74 years with a mean age
of 51.95 ± 10.29 years. Over 85% of women were married, 65.57%
were unemployed and 86.88% were multiparous. Only 28% had never done cervical
cancer screening. Most patients had stage IB1 to IB2 stage disease (57.1%). Less
than 9% underwent radical hysterectomy and 8 of those (13.11%) suffered intraoperative
complications. Twenty-five patients (40.98%) presented immediate and short term
complications. There was no significant association between the disease or
patients’ characteristics and adverse outcomes. Conclusion: Cervical
cancer patients are relatively young in our settings and only 9% of them reach
the hospital at early stage. Postoperative adverse outcomes rate is higher than
that reported in the literature. Sensitization on screening and awareness of
early symptoms can reverse the situation.