Adult leukaemia in the Niger delta region of Nigeria

ABSTRACT

To determine the incidence and survival of patients with Leukaemia in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, noted for its petrochemical industries. A prospective study of 120 cases of leukaemia from December 1993 to 2003. University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. Demographic and clinical information including duration of illness before presentation was obtained by oral interview. Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia [CML] was the most frequent subtype [33.3%]. There was a strong association between the white blood cell count at presentation and 1 year survival in CML and CLL patients [p= 0.0001]. The 2-year survival for CML, CLL and PLL was 12.5%, 40% and 32% respectively. Duration of illness before presentation was found to influence 1-year survival in CML [p=0.0075] and CLL [p= 0.0001]. The 2-year survival is still very poor and this may not be unconnected with late presentation and other strong limiting factors