TITLE:
Clinicopathological Characteristics of Women with Cervical Cancer at Chandaria Cancer Centre, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kenya
AUTHORS:
Priscah Chelangat, Tracy Irura, George Muthui
KEYWORDS:
Cervical Cancer, Sociodemographic Characteristics, Clinicopathological Characteristics, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, FIGO Stage, Kenya
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Cancer Therapy,
Vol.17 No.11,
November
11,
2026
ABSTRACT: Background: Cervical cancer is a global health burden, particularly in developing countries such as Kenya, where it stands as the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women. In Kenya, patients often present with late-stage disease, resulting in poor treatment outcomes. Patient and tumor characteristics at presentation shape the care needed and the outcomes that can be expected, but local data from Kenyan referral centers remain limited. Objective: To describe the sociodemographic, patient-specific and pathological characteristics of women with cervical cancer attending Chandaria Cancer Centre, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH). Methods: A retrospective descriptive medical-record review of 290 patient records of patients diagnosed with cervical cancer between January 2015 and December 2019 at Chandaria Cancer Centre, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital was conducted. A structured tool was used to abstract sociodemographic, patient-specific and pathological data. Data were analyzed descriptively using SPSS version 27 and were presented as means, standard deviations, frequencies and valid percentages. Results: The mean age was 52.1 years (SD 13.4; range 18 - 90). Most patients were unemployed (63.4%), married (68.2%) and lived in rural areas (90.2%), and 50.2% were uninsured. Over half (61.0%) had more than four children, 22.8% were HIV positive, and prior cervical cancer screening was documented in only 1.0%. Squamous cell carcinoma accounted for 92.7% of tumors, 51.4% of patients presented with FIGO Stage III - IV disease, and 56.1% of tumors were moderately differentiated. Conclusions: Women with cervical cancer at this center were predominantly older, living in rural areas, unemployed and of high parity, with a substantial burden of HIV, very low documented prior screening and late-stage presentation in just over half. Expanded screening and early detection, support for uninsured and rural patients, and more complete documentation are needed.