Delays in presentation and management of ovarian cancer in Lagos, Nigeria

J Obstet Gynaecol. 2013 Apr;33(3):305-8. doi: 10.3109/01443615.2012.753417.

Abstract

This study highlights the extent of delays in the presentation and management of ovarian cancer at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital. A total of 37 histologically confirmed epithelial ovarian cancer cases managed from January 2004 to December 2008 were analysed. The time interval between onset of symptoms and seeking healthcare, was 36.1 ± 40.8 weeks; between seeking healthcare and referral to tertiary hospital, was 22.7 ± 30.4 weeks; and the overall time interval from onset of symptoms to presentation for definitive care, was 52.0 ± 51.8 weeks. Private hospitals (35.1%) and herbal homes (21.6%) were the commonest facilities first visited. A total of 32 (86.5%) of the patients presented in stages III and IV. The overall compliance rate for recommended chemotherapy was 11.1%. Ovarian cancer in Lagos, Nigeria is characterised by patient-related delays in presentation, provider-related delays in referrals and poor compliance with recommended chemotherapy.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Medication Adherence
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / diagnosis*
  • Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / pathology
  • Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / therapy*
  • Nigeria
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / pathology
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care*
  • Referral and Consultation
  • Time Factors
  • Time-to-Treatment*
  • Young Adult