Pathology and cancer in Africa

Fleming, K. A.

doi:10.3332/ecancer.2019.945

Cited by 22 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 7 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Positive strides in cancer diagnosis in SSA are attributed to north-south collaboration. 42 Lack of pathologists, logistical support, and standardization of tests continue, however, to hinder quality cancer management and research output. 43 , 44 Core biopsy utilization and improved reporting turnaround in SSA indicate attempts at standardization.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Breast Cancer Management in Sub-Saharan Africa

Vanderpuye

Dadzie

Huo

et al. 2021

JCO Global Oncology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

PURPOSE To document progress and bottlenecks in breast cancer management in sub-Saharan Africa, subsequent to a 2013 pilot survey conducted through the African Organization for Research and Treatment in Cancer (AORTIC) network. METHODS An anonymous survey of breast cancer management was conducted in 2018 among AORTIC members. Results concerning respondent specialty, access to tumor boards, treatment accessibility, diagnostic services, and factors influencing treatment outcomes were compared with the 2013 findings. RESULTS Thirty-seven respondents from 30 facilities in 21 sub-Saharan Africa countries responded. The majority (92%) were clinical oncologists. Radiotherapy facilities were available in 70% of facilities. Seventy-eight percent of these had linear accelerators, and 42% had cobalt60 machines. Eighty percent of facilities had multidisciplinary tumor boards. Immunohistochemistry was routinely performed in 74% of facilities, computed tomography scan in 90%, bone scan in 16%, and positron emission tomography scans in 5%. Anthracyclines, taxanes, tamoxifen, letrozole, anastrozole, and zoledronic acid were available in the majority; trastuzumab, fertility, and genetic counseling were available in 66%, 58%, and 16%, respectively. There were a 50% increase in oncologist respondents over 2013 and a > 50% increase in radiotherapy facilities, particularly linear accelerators. Availability of trastuzumab, aromatase inhibitors, and taxanes increased. Immunohistochemistry capacity remained the same, whereas facilities harvesting at least 10 axillary lymph nodes increased. Bone scan facilities decreased. Responses suggested improved diagnostic services, systemic therapies, and radiotherapy. Sociocultural and economic barriers, system delays, and advanced stage at presentation remain. CONCLUSION Clinicians in sub-Saharan Africa have basic tools to improve breast cancer outcomes, recording positive strides in domains such as radiotherapy and systemic therapy. Socioeconomic and cultural barriers and system delays persist. Workforce expansion must be prioritized to improve quality of care to improve outcomes.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Breast Cancer Management in Sub-Saharan Africa

Vanderpuye

Dadzie

Huo

et al. 2021

JCO Global Oncology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Despite the major role of PALM in cancer care, our analysis showed explicit inclusion of this health‐care component in only 14% of NCCPs and NCDPs. Moreover, previous reports have estimated that only 40% of countries have a National Strategic Laboratory Plan, and less than 6% have discussed financing of such plan 16,17 . A closely related discipline, cancer genetics is equally underrepresented in the cancer plans reviewed.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pathology and Laboratory Medicine in cancer care: A global analysis of national cancer control plans

Parra‐Herran

Romero

Milner

2020

Intl Journal of Cancer

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In order to understand the structure and effectiveness of national cancer control systems, the International Cancer Control Partnership, the World Health Organization, the National Cancer Institute and the Union for International Cancer Control underwent a review of available national cancer health plans (NCCPs) and noncommunicable diseases plans (NCDPs) worldwide. Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (PALM) plays a major role in cancer management, from prevention and screening to patient care (diagnosis and treatment) and population‐level cancer surveillance. This review concentrates on the analysis of elements in national cancer care plans pertaining to PALM. Of 157 countries surveyed, 90 (57%) had a NCCP and 123 (78%) had a NCDP. While 54% of plans included guidelines on cancer diagnosis or plans to develop standards protocols for diagnosis, only 14% included PALM as a component of the plan. PALM‐related variables such as synoptic pathology reporting, cancer staging guidelines and cancer genetics programs were similarly underrepresented (being mentioned in only 6%, 17% and 16% of plans, respectively). Absence of PALM‐related variables tended to be more frequent in lower‐income countries. Our analysis highlights an important gap in national cancer control initiatives worldwide represented by the overall lack of inclusion of PALM resources. Cancer control will only be effective if laboratory sciences are placed as a priority. Based on the data presented herein, there is a need to increase awareness about the importance of PALM in cancer care, and to incorporate this discipline in the design and implementation of multilevel cancer control strategies.

show abstract

“…This study has the limitation of using secondary retrospective data, with missing values and a high rate of lost to follow-up so, the survival data is anecdotal. The low histological confirmation rate that we had is a frequent feature in SSA and should be changed quickly [ 28 ]. However, available demographic, clinical and pathological data allowed characterising the disease in context of referral hospital in Mozambique and elaborating objective suggestions for improvements.…”

Section: Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Demographic, clinical and pathological characterisation of patients with colorectal and anal cancer followed between 2013 and 2016 at Maputo Central Hospital, Mozambique

Selemane¹,

Jamisse²,

Arroz³

et al. 2021

ecancer

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The aim of this study was to investigate colorectal cancer (CRC) data and anal cancer data from Maputo Central Hospital (MCH), the largest hospital and a reference for oncological diseases in Mozambique, with the aim of characterising the disease profile in view to define an appropriate control programme. Methods: MCH records from the Pathology and Surgery Services and MCH CancerRegistry database were assessed to obtain retrospective clinical and pathologic data of patients with CRC or anal cancer admitted to and treated between

show abstract

Pathology and cancer in Africa

Cited by 22 publications

References 7 publications

Assessment of Breast Cancer Management in Sub-Saharan Africa

Assessment of Breast Cancer Management in Sub-Saharan Africa

Pathology and Laboratory Medicine in cancer care: A global analysis of national cancer control plans

Demographic, clinical and pathological characterisation of patients with colorectal and anal cancer followed between 2013 and 2016 at Maputo Central Hospital, Mozambique

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About