Malignant and benign lesions of female genital tract - an experience at a tertiary care hospital in Bahawalpur - Pakistan

Frequencies and incidence rates of site - specific cancer and other pathological lesions are reported regularly in different studies, but mostly not by the histological type within site. This study reviews 3 years data of female genital tract tumours from 2008 - 2011, at Quaid-e- Azam Medical College / Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur. Data of the surgical specimens of uterus, ovary, vulva, vagina and cervix submitted to the Department of Pathology was reviewed and analysed for the type of specimen, tissue of origin, different diagnosed histological types and finally the behaviour of tumour i.e. benign or malignant. A total of 1373 surgical specimens of female genital tract were submitted in 3 years, out of which 101 [7.4%] were malignant. Twenty nine percent and 28% of the neoplasms were from cervix and vagina respectively followed by vulva [17%], and then ovary and uterus [12% each]. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most common invasive malignancy of the cervix [86%], vulva [77%], and vagina [71%]. Adenocarcinoma was the most frequent malignancy in the uterus [53%] and ovary [61%]. The 73% of the burden of benign disease was contributed by uterine lesions, 3/4th of them being leiomyoma and endometrial hyperplasia. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most frequent malignant tumour of the cervix, vagina and vulva. Adenocarcinoma was the most common malignancy in ovary and uterine corpus. Epidemiologic studies may provide more definite information by considering the effect of these subtypes in examining risk factors

Reports of gastrointestinal cancers at Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur - Pakistan

Gastrointestinal [GI] cancers are amongst the common tumours showing a rise in incidence globally. This study aims to establish the pattern of gastrointestinal malignancies in southern Punjab - Pakistan. This is a retrospective tumour record data analysis based upon histopathology. It was carried out from January 2004 to December 2006 at the Department of Pathology, Quaid-e-Azam Medical College / Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur - Pakistan. Data of all the biopsy proven malignancies of gastrointestinal tract was retrieved from individual case files from the record of Pathology Department. The epidemiological data was reviewed and analysed for the site of involvement, age, sex and the histological types of cancers. During 3 years of study a total of 151 patients were diagnosed having gastrointestinal [GI] tract malignancies. One hundred two males and 49 females were affected [M: F ratio 2.1:1]. Majority of the cancer stricken patients in our population were relatively young, falling in the age range of 45 - 65 years. Colorectal carcinomas were most frequent [35%], followed by oesophagus [13.9%], liver and bile ducts [11.9%], stomach [11.2%], gall bladder [5.2%], tongue [4.6%], pancreas [3.9%], small intestine [3.3%], and lip [2.6%] malignancies. One case of malignant tumour of the appendix in a male was also found. Colorectal cancer is the commonest GI tumour reported in south Punjab - Pakistan. Cases less than 25 years of age were more frequent and peak incidence was in a younger age group in our population when compared to different Western studies. Adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma were the most frequent histological subtypes in colon and rectum, oesophagus and liver respectively