TITLE:
Experience in the Treatment of Pre-Invasive Cervical Lesions between 2019 and 2024 in Yaounde, Cameroon
AUTHORS:
Véronique Sophie Mboua Batoum, Cliford Ebong, Isidore Tompeen, Christiane Nsahlaï, Roosevelt Dongmo, Pascale Mpono, Felix Essiben, Yvette Mawamba Nkene, Elie Nkwabong, Esther Ngo Um Meka
KEYWORDS:
Pre-Invasive Lesions, Cervix, Treatment, Cameroon
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.15 No.8,
August
14,
2025
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Cervical cancer is a significant public health concern in Cameroon, ranking as the second most common cancer among women in terms of both incidence and mortality. This study aims to describe the experience of treating pre-invasive cervical lesions and to evaluate clinical outcomes and success rates associated with these treatments. Methodology: This was a retrospective descriptive study conducted during the period from January 2019 to October 2024 at the Yaoundé Central Hospital and University (CHUY). Data were collected after obtaining consent, through the patients’ records, admitted for cervical cancer screenings. Pre-invasive lesions were treated using cryotherapy, thermoablation, or conization. Follow-up of patients was conducted at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months after treatment. Results: A total of 5963 patients were screened. The screening was based on visual inspection with acetic acid, followed by Lugol’s iodine. It was positive in 190 participants (3.1%). From the total number of patients screened, low-grade lesions accounted for 0.97% while high-grade lesions constituted 0.35%. Thermoablation (68.4%) and cryotherapy (31.6%) were the most commonly used treatment methods. The success rate at 6 months post-treatment was 85.1%. However, by the 12-month follow-up, 139 patients, or 73.2%, had been lost to follow-up. Conclusion: This experience emphasises the importance of community awareness and the integration of screening into primary healthcare to prevent cervical cancer through the effective management of pre-invasive lesions. However, long-term follow-up remains a significant challenge.