Histological Pattern of Cervical Malignancies in South-South Nigeria

Background: Cervical malignancies are common among women in the developing countries of the world. They are thought to be sexually transmitted and they contribute significantly to reproductive ill-health and mortality among women. Their histological patterns however vary with differences in their clinical characteristics and prognosis. Objective: This was to determine the histological pattern of cervical cancers as they presented at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Alakahia between 2005 and 2010. Materials and Methods: The data was collected retrospectively from the surgical day book and the original request forms of the Anatomical Pathology Department of UPTH. All cervical biopsies and hysterectomy specimens (from which a diagnosis of malignant tumour of the cervix was made) were assessed. Results: This showed that out of the 227 cervical biopsies and hysterectomy specimens taken over the period of study, 60 (26.43%) were malignant. The age range of the patients was 10 to 89 years with a single patient who had cervical cancer at 18 years of age. The peak age incidence was 50-59 years. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most common histological pattern, constituting 81.67% with a preponderance of large cell keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma in 43.33% of cases, large cell non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma in 20% and small cell non-keratinizing type in 8.33% of cases. 10% of the squamous cell carcinomas were not further classified. Adenocarcinoma and adenosquamous carcinoma were seen in 8.33% and 3.33% respectively while the rare neuroendocrine carcinoma was seen in 1.67% of cases. Conclusion: Squamous cell carcinoma was the predominant histological type with preponderance of the large cell keratinizing variety, and the peak age incidence from this study is 50-59 years.