Prevalence of Cervical Cancer in Developing Country: Pakistan
Objective: To find the prevalence of cervical carcinoma as seen at Multan Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Radiotherapy (MINAR), Pakistan. Methodology: This retrospective descriptive study was conducted at the Multan instituite or Nuclear Medicine and radiotherapy (MINAR) for a period of five years. The clinical records of all patients diagnosed with carcinoma of the cervix were reviewed with regard to sociodemographic and reproductive parameters. Frequency of Ca -cervix and stage of disease at the time of presentation were recorded. The data was collected on pre-designed Performa and analysed Statistically. Results: There were a total of 537 cases presented at MINAR during the study period. Presenting symptoms (PS) were irregular vaginal bleeding (IVB) in 78% patients including intermenstrual (IMB), post menopausal bleeding (PMB), epimenohrea and post coital bleeding (PCB). Vaginal discharge was PS in 29% while pelvic pain was PS in only 3% patients. Squamous cell carcinoma corresponds to 460 (86.5%), adeno carcinoma to 55 (10.8%) cases and Poorly differentiated/other rare Tumours 22 (4%). Only 102(19%) cases were in Stage Ib, while 247 (46%) were in Stages IIa and Stage IIb respectively, 118 (22%) cases were in Stages IIIa and Stage IIIb whilst 57 (10.8%) cases were in advanced stage (1V).
