Study on sociodemographic distribution, clinicopathological status & management of cervical cancer in the oncology unit of Teaching Hospital Batticaloa from 2016 to 2021

Abstract

This study was carried out to find out sociodemographic distribution, clinicopathological status & management of cervical cancer in the oncology unit of teaching hospital Batticaloa. A retrospective study was conducted from 148 bed head tickets of patients who presented to the oncology unit of THB within the duration of 2016 to 2021. Complete enumeration was used to select the sample size. 3 separated record sheets were used to collect the data under 3 different specific objectives. Data were analyzed with the help of Statistical Package of Social Studies (SPSS). Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethical Review Committee (E/2023/13), Faculty of Healthcare Sciences, Eastern University, Sri Lanka. Out of the bed head tickets which fulfill the inclusion & exclusion criteria, the main age group with diagnosis of cervical cancer is 50 to 59 years & it is 40.54% as a percentage. 99.32% was married. Highest number of patients was present from Batticaloa district (51.35%) followed by Ampara (26.67%) and Trincomalee (20.27%) districts. Majority (67%) of patients have more than 3 children. 33% of patients have 3 or less than 3 children. Postmenopausal bleeding 48.67% was the commonest complaint present among cases of cervical cancer. Most of the women have been diagnosed with cervical cancer after menopause. Among them, 39% experienced menopause between the ages of 46 and 50, while 29% of cases occurred during the age range of 51-55. Additionally, 17% of cases were reported before the onset of menopause. 32% of patients received chemotherapy as a treatment. 29% of patients received radiotherapy as their initial treatment. 26% of patients received both chemotherapy and radiotherapy as part of their treatment plan and 13% of patients underwent a hysterectomy, which could have been of various types – total, subtotal, or radical. Cervical carcinoma can be preventable by proper Human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination and regular Pap smear screening. Early presentation has good prognosis. Delayed health seeking behavior of patients makes presentation in advanced age. High parity is positively associated with cervical cancer in this study.