The Pattern of Urological Cancers in Zambia

Objective: To examine the pattern of urological malignancies; particularly cancer of the bladder; seen at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka and to compare the findings with previous studies on the same parameters done at UTH. Material and Methods: A retrospective study of urological cancers in Zambia was performed; based on histopathology reports of specimens reviewed at the UTH Pathology Laboratory in Lusaka; Zambia; between January 1990 and December 2005. The parameters studied were the histological type of the cancer; patient age and trends over a 15-year period. Results: In total; 8829 cancers were diagnosed during the study period; of which 749 (8.5) were urological malignancies affecting the kidney; bladder; prostate; testis or penis. The maleto- female ratio of the urological cancers was 10.7 to 1. Cancer of the prostate was the most common urological malignancy (54.6); followed by bladder cancer (21.1) and penile cancer (18.6). The histological type of bladder cancer was mainly squamous cell carcinoma (46.2); transitional cell carcinoma (23.4) and adenocarcinoma (22.2); other types (8.2) included rhabdomyosarcoma; small cell carcinoma and lymphoma. The majority of patients (79) with bladder cancer were between 56 and 65 years of age. Whereas 20 years ago prostate cancer comprised only 26of urological malignancies; it accounted for 55of urological cancers diagnosed in Zambia between 1990 and 2005. In contrast; cancer of the penis; kidney and testis have shown no change in frequency distribution compared to 20 years ago. Conclusion:Over the last 15 years there has been an increasing proportion of cancer of the prostate and squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder. This is associated with high levels of schistosomiasis; cystitis (some of which is HIV-related) and bladder stones. It may also be due to the extension of urological services and the diagnostic armamentarium (PSA; cystoscopy and histological diagnosis) to indigent rural populations; where the incidence of squamous cell carcinoma is likely to be higher than in affluent urban populations

Presence of Schistomiasis in Genital Biopsies from Patients at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka; Zambia

Background: Ectopic localizations of the adult Schistosomes and ova in the genital tract of individuals living in schistosoma endemic areas are common. The infection can affect both male and female reproductive organs; and although it is predominant in adult women; case reports in girls younger than 15 years of age have been documented. Objective: The objective of this review was to determine and document the presence of genital schistosomiasis from biopsy specimens. Methods: Patients' laboratory records at the University Teaching Hospital histopathology laboratory for the period 2001 to 2007 were retrieved and reviewed for reports on the presence of schistosomiasis. Data were analysed by age; sex and biopsy site. Results: Thirty eight (65.5) of the 58 specimens with schistosomiasis were from the genital organs. Female genital tract schistosomiasis was more prevalent (84.2) than male genital schistosomiasis (15.8); p0.001. Schistosomiasis was high in biopsy specimens collected from the cervix

The Changing Pattern of Urological Cancers in Zambia

The university teaching hospital Lusaka (UTH) is the main reference hospital and national reference laboratory in Zambia it has a referral areas of 1.3 million people objectives :the purpose of the study was to examine the pattern of urological malignancies seen at the UTH in Lusaka .in particular the pattern of cancer of the bladder. Method :A retrospective study of urological cancers in Zambia was done ; which the IDC(10) classification .Results: a total 8829 cancers were diagnosed over the 15years study period; 749(8.4) were urological maligical cancer was 10.7 to 1. cancer of the prostate was the most common urological malignancy (54;6) ; followed by cancer of the bladder (21;1) and cancer of the penis (18.6) the histological type of bladder cancer was squamous celle carcinoma (46.2); transitional cell carcinoma (23.4); adenocarcinoma (22;2) and other types (82) . the majority of patients (79) with bladder .cancer were between and 65years of age .There was an increasing incidence of squamous celle cancers of the bladder over last 15 tears.Conclusion:twenty years ago prostate cancer comprised only 26of urological malignancies ;it now makes up 55of the urological cancers diagnosed in Zambia over the last 15 years.In contrast; cancer of the penis; kidney and testis have shown so change in frequency distribution compared to 20 years ago.There has been has an increase in squamous cell type of bladder observed over the last 15 years