Malignant tumors; frequency at Sargodha, a single centre, retrospective study

ABSTRACT

As in most developing countries, incidence of cancer is also increasing in Pakistan. It is important that information on the frequency and epidemiology of malignant tumors be updated, as it is the basis of future health planning for the population at risk. This retrospective study was carried out to find the prevalence of various cancers in the population of Sargodha district [central Punjab, Pakistan] and to compare the regional and international studies, so as to plan and develop the oncology setup of Sargodha Medical College on a rationalized basis of disease prevalence. Data from July 2010 to June 2013 was retrieved from the department of statistics of the hospital and variables of interest were collected and analyzed using SPSS 10.0. It was observed that the most frequent cancer in our patients was breast cancer [n=172] while carcinoma of lungs was the most frequent carcinoma in male population [n=24]. However our observations were a bit different from the international studies published on the subject, the probable reason being the availability of treatment facility and easier access in the nearby districts of Faisalabad and Lahore where many patients still go directly. More over the illiterate and poorer faction of the society does not come to the hospitals for management of the disease but rather go to the quakes and faith healers to relieve them of their sufferings. It is concluded that the department of clinical oncology should arrange cancer awareness programs for the general population to avoid delays in getting consultation, as at present they report to the hospital when the disease is quite advance and surgery is often not possible. Our study also revealed a somewhat different pattern of malignancies in our community raising a need for further studies to evaluate the reasons for this changed pattern in relation to various etiological factors