Cancer of the ovary at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital: a 10-year review, 1992-2001

Abstract

Forty-nine patients managed for primary ovarian cancer between January 1992 and December 2001 were analyzed, to appraise the incidence, clinical presentation and management. Data of relevance to the socio- demographic profile, clinical presentation, histopathological types, treatment modality and outcome of management were extracted from patients' case notes. A total of 412 patients with gynaecological malignancies, including 49 (11.9%) ovarian cancer were admitted in the gynaecological wards in the study period. The peak age of incidence was between 51- 60. mean 58 years. Social classes I and II were in the majority. 21.7% and 32.6% respectively. Late presentation, with stage III (76.2% of the patients) is the modal stage at presentation. The majority (73.8%) of the tumours were of epithelial origin. Gastrointestinal symptoms (86.9%) were the most common clinical features at presentation. The majority of patients (91.3%) had surgery (cytoreductive) as first line treatment, while 36/42 patients had adjuvant chemotherapy. Intraoperative haemorrhage (11.9%) was the most common complication. 2.4% of the patients died intraoperatively Primary ovarian carcinomas in Benin are predominantly epithelial in origin. It is the second most frequent gynaecological malignancy. Patients present late, mortality is high and unsatisfactory despite multimodal therapy. Public enlightenment to increase awareness and introduction of screening program for early detection is advocated.