Cancer in Nigeria: A 10-Year Analysis of the Kano Cancer Registry

Abstract

Background: Cancer is a major health problem in developed countries and epidemiological evidence shows the emergence of a similar tend in developing countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where HIV/AIDS is predicted to augment the cancer burden. The present study analyses the profile of cancers recorded in the first decade (1995)(1996)(1997)(1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004) of establishment of the Kano cancer registry (KCR) a histology/ cytology-based registry in Kano, Nigeria. Methods: Records of cancer cases diagnosed based on histology or cytology and entered into the registry were retrieved and categorized by type/ organ sites affected according to International Classification of Diseases for Oncology.Results: There was a steady rise in frequency of cancer over the period where a total of 1990 cancer cases were recorded comprising of 1001 (50.3%) males and 989 (49.7%) females. Cancers of the cervix (22.9%), Breast (18.9%), Ovary (8.2%), non-melanoma skin cancer (6.3%), and Uterus (6.2%) were the most frequent female cancers. In males, cancer of the prostate (16.5%), bladder (10.2%), non-melanoma skin (9.9%), colorectum (9.3%) and connective tissue (6.3%) were most common. Burkitt's lymphoma (31.4%), other lymphoreticular cancers (23.8%) and retinoblastoma (20%) predominated in children. Conclusion:The KCR supports existing predictions of an increase in incidence of cancers in developing countries. There is need for establishment of comprehensive cancer control programmes in developing countries for the common cancers of the cervix, breast, prostate, bladder, skin and colorectum which are amenable to prevention, early detection and cure.

The burden of non-communicable diseases in Nigeria; in the context of globalization

“…Commonly occurring cancers in Nigeria include cervical, breast prostrate, skin, and gastric cancers. [43,44] A population-based survey carried out in Ibadan, covering the time period of 1960-1963, found 648 cases of cancer. It was estimated to represent a crude annual incidence of 45 per 100,000 of the population.…”

“…Being hospital based, the true population burden could be higher, since not all cases are reported in the hospital. [44] It is projected that by 2020, cancer incidence in Nigerian males will rise to 90.7/100,000 and for females to100.9/100, 000. [45] A report showed that only 10% of diagnosed cancer cases in Nigeria have access to care.…”

Factors influencing Nigerian men's decision to undergo prostate specific antigen testing

“…Cancer morbidity and mortality data in Nigeria is unavailable as a result of the absence of national cancer registry 3 . However, the evidence in the literature indicates that prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer amongst Nigerian men 4,5 . The higher morbidity and mortality in Nigerian men maybe associated with late presentation at the hospital and being diagnosed at a much older age than men in developed countries 6 .…”

Epstein-Barr virus and associated head and neck manifestations

“…[23] In an another study that analyzed the profile of cancers recorded in the first decade (1995)(1996)(1997)(1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004) of establishment of the Kano cancer registry (KCR), a histology/cytology-based registry in Kano, Nigeria, BL (31.4%), other lymphoreticular cancers (23.8%) and retinoblastoma (20%) predominated in children of a total of 1990 cancer cases. [24] EBV is associated with 90% of African patients with BL, but this incidence is significantly lower for BL seen in other parts of the world. In addition, high levels of antibodies to EBV are found in all African children with BL, but in only half of normal African children.…”