Demographic characteristics and the clinical profile of Vulvar cancer patients treated at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, a five years retrospective study 

Esayas Berhanu Enoro
Addis Ababa University, College of Health Science
Carolyn M. Johnston | Bio
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, USA
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  • Articles
  • Submited: March 29, 2021
  • Published: September 24, 2021

Abstract

Abstract

Background: Vulvar cancer is a rare disease that occurs most often in older women; however, this is not reflected in clinical practice at Tikur Anbessa Hospital (TAH). Overall there is limited information regarding vulvar cancer in Ethiopia.

Aim: The aim of this study was to describe demographic characteristics and the clinical profile of Vulvar Cancer patients treated at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital.

Methods: This is a retrospective study. Data on primary vulvar cancer patients managed between August 30 2012 and August 30 2017 were gathered from patients’ chart and analyzed.

ResultsThe median/mean age was 39/43.17 ranging from 22 to 85 years. The patients presented with more than one symptom. The mean duration of the symptoms was about 2 years. Labium majus(91.5%), labium minus (89%) were mainly affected. In most (79.7%) patients the disease was locally advanced. Sixty six percent of the cases were positive for HIV. The mean/ median duration of HIV infection was 72.14/72 months. All of them were taking HAART. The majority (32.2%) were treated with chemo-radiation followed by surgery alone (16.9%). A Surgical procedure was done for 22 patients. Few patients developed complications.

Conclusion: Vulvar cancer in Ethiopia appears to be a burden of mainly the young and HIV positive patients. Most present in late stage of the disease despite visiting a health care facility for HIV care/HAART and long standing symptoms. Delivering education about vulvar cancer to Patients, particularly HIV positive ones, and health care providers may ameliorate the disease burden in Ethiopia.

 

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How to Cite
Enoro, E. B., & M. Johnston, C. . (2021). Demographic characteristics and the clinical profile of Vulvar cancer patients treated at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, a five years retrospective study . Ethiopian Medical Journal, 59(04). Retrieved from https://www.emjema.org/index.php/EMJ/article/view/1887

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