The pattern of malignant tumours: tumour registry data analysis, AFIP, Rawalpindi, Pakistan (1992-2001).

OBJECTIVE: To provide information regarding frequency of malignant tumours through data retrieved from pathology based tumour registry of AFIP, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. METHODS: All malignant tumours recorded with the AFIP tumour registry over a period of 10 years (1992-2001) were analysed in terms of age group, gender and type of tumour with relation to site. A comparison with the previously published material from same setting, national and international studies were also done. RESULTS: The total malignant tumours in the 10 years period were 21,168. Out of these, 12584 (59.5%) were seen in male patients while 8584 (40.5%) were in females. Total malignant tumours in pediatric age group were 927 (4.4%). The common malignant tumours in males in order of decreasing frequency were, those of prostate, skin, lymph node, leukaemia, urinary bladder, colorectum, bone, lung, stomach and liver. In females, breast carcinoma was on top followed by skin, leukaemia, ovary, coloretum, lymph node, bone, liver, cervix and gall bladder. In females, contrary to the Western studies and India, ovarian tumours were more frequent than cervical cancers. Comparison of this analysis with our previous analysis, national and international studies showed some interesting features. CONCLUSION: It was found that in males, tumours of the prostate were the most frequent as compared to the previous study, which showed lymphomas and leukemias to be the most common. On the other hand in females, tumours of the breast remained to be consistently most frequent.

Carcinoma breast: a histopathological audit.

OBJECTIVE: To compare audited results with original reports in cases of breast carcinoma, as a part of quality assurance programme. DESIGN: A descriptive study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: January 2001 to December 2001 at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP), Rawalpindi, Pakistan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Slides and original reports of 191 cases of breast carcinoma diagnosed by different consultants in the department were retrieved from the case files. The cases were re-examined for histological type, nuclear grade, tumour grade, lymphovascular invasion and tumour necrosis without knowledge of the previous report. The new independent observations were recorded and differences from original reports were analysed. Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: There was no discrepancy about malignant nature of all the 191 lesions. However, 39 cases (20.4%) showed some differences of grade, lymphovascular invasion and necrosis, from their original reports. Omission of most of the parameters (n=45) was due to lack of tabulated reporting. The differences of results of lymphovascular invasion and necrosis were not statistically significant (p-values = 0.90 each), but differences of nuclear and tumour grade were statistically significant (p-value <0.001 and <0.01). CONCLUSION: There was no discrepancy in the reports such as histological types or the presence of tumours. Tabulated form of reporting has less chance of omission of important parameters.