A clinico-pathological study of cervical carcinoma in South Eastern Nigeria; a five-year retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE To determine the pattern of clinical presentation of carcinoma of the cervix in Nnewi Southeast Nigeria with a view to determining strategies for intervention. METHOD This is a retrospective descriptive study involving all cases of clinically diagnosed carcinoma of the cervix seen over a five year period. RESULTS Forty three case notes were available for study. The age range was 38 to 87 years with a peak age incidence of 51 to 60 years. The commonest symptom at presentation were postmenopausal bleeding (51.2%), vaginal discharge (32.6%), postcoital bleeding (9.3%) and irregular vaginal bleeding (7%). Nearly 80% presented with the advanced form of the disease with 20 (46.5%) and 14 (32.6%) presenting in stage III and IV respectively. 27(62.8%) were lost to follow up at various stages ofmanagement. CONCLUSION The pattern of presentation follow known trends. Lack of facilities for radiotherapy and loss to follow up are major obstacles in the management of carcinoma of the cervix.