TITLE:
Documented Treatment-Related Morbidity and Mortality among Patients Receiving Radiotherapy at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria: A Hospital-Based Retrospective Record-Review Study
AUTHORS:
Jamilu Bawa, Abou Dao, Basheer Bello, Hassan Ibrahim, Kasimu Bashiru, Salihu Anka, Aminu Maikudi, Anas Abdulaziz Salihu, Surajo Mafara, Ibrahim Kabir, Iyadi Kingsley Chuks
KEYWORDS:
Radiotherapy, Morbidity, Mortality, Sokoto, Nigeria
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Cancer Therapy,
Vol.17 No.10,
October
21,
2026
ABSTRACT: Background: Evidence on outcomes among patients receiving radiotherapy in north-western Nigeria remains limited. This study described documented treatment-related morbidity and mortality and examined factors associated with these outcomes among patients treated at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto. Methods: A hospital-based retrospective record-review study was conducted among 402 adult patients with histologically confirmed cancer who received radiotherapy at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital between June 2024 and December 2025. Data were extracted from clinical and radiotherapy records. Documented treatment-related morbidity and recorded mortality were analysed as separate outcomes. Associations were assessed using logistic regression and reported as adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Most patients were female (66.2%) and younger than 60 years (74.4%). Head and neck (26.6%), breast (24.9%), and cervical (19.9%) cancers were the most frequently treated malignancies. Documented treatment-related morbidity was recorded in 266/402 patients (66.2%), and a death was documented in 86/402 records (21.4%) during the record-review period. Frequently documented complications included anemia (21.6%), skin reactions (20.9%), mucositis (19.2%), and fatigue (18.4%). Recorded mortality was independently associated with age 60 years or older (AOR 1.82, 95% CI 1.07 - 3.21), comorbidity (AOR 1.71, 95% CI 1.01 - 3.08), underweight body mass index (AOR 2.04, 95% CI 1.13 - 3.88), stage IV disease (AOR 4.63, 95% CI 2.24 - 8.87), poor performance status (AOR 2.88, 95% CI 1.52 - 5.22), metastatic disease (AOR 2.66, 95% CI 1.34 - 4.98), palliative treatment intent (AOR 4.12, 95% CI 2.21 - 7.84). Conclusion: Documented morbidity and recorded deaths were common in this record-review cohort and were associated with markers of clinical vulnerability and disease burden. Because death dates and complete vital-status follow-up were unavailable, mortality findings should not be interpreted as survival estimates or directly comparable mortality risks.