Demographic Profile of Cervical Cancer: A Retrospective Study Conducted in Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar, Kashmir, India

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Worldwide, cervical cancer remains the most common gynecological cancer and the fourth most commonmalignancy in women, with over 526,000 women globally developing this tumor as reported in 2015 and 239,000 women dyingof the disease every year. To date, there are limited data of cervical cancer in Kashmir, India.Objectives: The aim of the present study was to analyze the demographic spectrum of cervical cancer in Kashmir.Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study. All the patients who had histopathologically confirmed cervical cancer,registered at Regional Cancer Center of Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar, Kashmir, were included, between2008 and 2015. All the patient characteristics including age, presentation, type of cancer, stage of cancer, parity, and treatmentreceived in each case were studied in detail.Results: The present study included 120 patients of cervical cancer. The median age of patients was 51 years. Majority of ourpatients were multiparous (88.3%) and from a rural background (74%). The most common presenting complaint was abnormal vaginalbleeding (70%) followed by abdominal pain (19%). Squamous cell carcinoma was the most common type of cervical carcinomaseen in 95% of patients followed by adenocarcinoma (5%). Most of the patients (66.67%) presented at late Stages (II, III, and IV).Conclusion: Early detection will reduce the number of deaths of cervical cancer patients. Asignificant number of cervical cancer patientsin Kashmir present with an advanced stage of disease. Cervical cancers are observed at a middle age group that is >40 years of age.People should be educated for an early consultation for symptoms, and high-risk individuals should be encouraged for screening. Thehealth programs about cervical cancer should be carried out in open places to give more information about cervical cancer to the public.