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Profile of Specific Cancer Types in Patients Undergoing Curative Radiotherapy: Findings from a One-Year Descriptive Study

Emeshaw Zebene
a:1:{s:5:"en_US";s:22:"Addis Ababa University";}
Dr. Hagos Medhin
Dr. Edom Woldetsadik
Prof. Gurja Woldemichael
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  • Submited: December 24, 2024
  • Published: November 17, 2025

Abstract

Background: The incidence and mortality rates of cancer have risen rapidly worldwide, driven by an aging population, urbanization, sedentary lifestyles, economic development, and increased tobacco and alcohol consumption.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the one-year occurrence of cancer and the sociodemographic and clinical features of patients receiving curative radiotherapy at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital.

Methodology: We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study on cancer patients receiving curative radiotherapy at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from April 2021 to March 2022. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic and clinical data. Descriptive statistics were analyzed using SPSS version 24, with a significance level set at 0.05.

Results: A total of 64 patients (44 females and 20 males) were analyzed. The majority (42.2%) were aged 45 to 64 years, and 70% resided in urban areas, where a higher incidence of gynecologic cancer was noted. Most patients (78%) had locally advanced cancer, and 84.4% (54) were unaware of their cancer diagnosis. Head and neck cancer was the most prevalent, accounting for 31.3% (20 cases), while cervical cancer was the leading type among women, with 17 cases (38.6%), of which 15.9% (7) were HIV positive.

Conclusion: The findings indicate that head and neck cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer, with cervical cancer as the leading cause among women. Most patients presented at a locally advanced stage, and many lacked awareness of cancer. Awareness-raising initiatives are crucial to enhance public knowledge about cancer, facilitating early detection and treatment.

 

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How to Cite
Zebene, E., Medhin, D. H., Woldetsadik, D. E., & Woldemichael, P. G. (2025). Profile of Specific Cancer Types in Patients Undergoing Curative Radiotherapy: Findings from a One-Year Descriptive Study. Ethiopian Medical Journal, 63(2). Retrieved from https://www.emjema.org/index.php/EMJ/article/view/2816

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