Gynaecological cancers continue to be an important public health problem globally (Sanni et al., 2013; Yakasai et al., 2013). They are among the leading causes of morbidity and cancer‑related deaths worldwide, with variation in the distribution and frequency from one region to the other (Sanni et al., 2013; Okeke et al., 2013; Agboeze et al., 2015). This is particularly so in the developing countries where there is poor awareness and late presentation (Sanni et al., 2013).

Approximately     1:4    of   all   cancers   in   women   in developing countries (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer) is a Gynaecological cancer (Iyoke and Ugwu, 2013). Worldwide, Gynaecological cancers account for about 10% of new cancer cases in women and 12% of cancer deaths (Kyari et al., 2004). The proportion of cancers in females which are of genital tract origin range from as high as 31.6-35.0% in sub-Saharan Africa to as low as 12.7-13.4% in North America and other developed nations where health-seeking and organized screening methods have greatly improved (Yakasai et al., 2013; Franco and Franco, 2001).

Cervical cancer is the most common pelvic malignancy among women worldwide (Agboeze et al., 2015; Franco and Franco, 2001). In developed countries, the introduction of routine screening and treatment for premalignant lesions of the cervix has led to a dramatic fall in the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer over the past 5 decades (The Economist Intelligence Unit, 2009). In developing countries like Nigeria, there is poor uptake of routine cervical cancer screening resulting in late presentation and high rate of cervical cancer (The Economist Intelligence Unit, 2009; International Agency for Research on Cancer, 2012). About 80-95% of cervical cancers are squamous cell carcinoma (Sankaranarayanan and Ferlay, 2006). Carcinoma of the cervix has been reported in many series to be the commonest gynaecological cancer in developing countries, with most of the patients presenting late stages of the disease (Fader et al., 2009).

Ovarian cancer is the second most common female genital cancer and a major cause of death from female genital tract malignancies in developing countries (Sankaranarayanan and Ferlay, 2006). Over 80% of cases of ovarian cancer are epithelial in origin (Fader et al., 2009; Hennessy et al., 2009; Bast et al., 2009; Gubbels et al., 2010). About 75% of patients with ovarian cancer present in advanced stages of the disease due to lack of standard screening technique for early diagnosis of ovarian cancer and non-specific symptoms of the disease (Bast et al., 2009; Gubbels et al., 2010; Gabra and Blagden, 2012). It accounts for 18.8% of all Gynaecological cancers in developing countries and 28.7% in developed countries (Sankaranarayanan and Ferlay, 2006). The lower incidence of ovarian cancer in developing countries may be due to early marriage and high parity in these women as pregnancy and breastfeeding are known to protect against ovarian cancers (Gabra and Blagden, 2012).

Endometrial cancer is more common in developed countries than in developing countries, probably due to the relative longevity of women in developed countries (Fader et al., 2009; Gabra and Blagden, 2012). It is the third commonest Gynaecological cancer in developing countries (The Economist Intelligence Unit, 2009). More than 90% occur in women aged 50 years and above (Sankaranarayanan and Ferlay, 2006). It has a more favourable prognosis than ovarian  and  cervical  cancers with 5-year survival rates around 70% in developing countries (Sankaranarayanan and Ferlay, 2006).

Choriocarcinoma represents 0.6% of all gynaecological cancers (Sankaranarayanan and Ferlay, 2006). Incidence rates are highest in South East Asia where rates of 0.43-1.7/100 000 are quoted compared to 0.04/100 000 in Africa and Europe (Sankaranarayanan and Ferlay, 2006). Vulva and vaginal cancers are rare with peak incidence in the 6th decade of life (Sankaranarayanan and Ferlay, 2006; Mohyuddin et al., 2012). Age and parity affect the incidence of Gynaecological cancers. Endometrial and ovarian cancers occur mainly later in reproductive life, while carcinoma of the cervix and choriocarcinoma are seen commonly in pre‑or perimenopausal women (Gabra and Blagden, 2012). Women of high parity have relatively low risk of developing endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer as pregnancy is known to be protective against ovarian cancer, while multiparity is associated with increased risk of development of cervical carcinoma (Gabra and Blagden, 2012). The aim of this study was to determine the sociodemographic characteristics the patients and histological patterns of Gynaecological malignancies seen at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH). The findings in this study will be helpful in combating Gynaecological cancer menace through health education, screening programs, and appropriate resource allocation. This could have significant implications on health planning and policy decisions.

The study covered a 5-year period, from 1st January, 2012 to 31st December, 2016 done at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital. This facility is the only teaching hospital in Abuja, the Nigerian capital and serves as the major referral centre within the Federal Capital Territory and its environs. The case notes of all patients with Gynaecological cancers admitted into the Gynaecological ward within the study period were retrieved from the medical records department and studied for age and parity of the patients, the type and frequency of the malignancy as well as the histological diagnosis of the cancers using a proforma. The data were analysed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) package version 20.0, August 2016 (SPSS 20.0, IBM, Armonk, NY, United States of America). Chi‑square (χ2) test was employed to examine the significant association between variables where applicable and Multivariate analysis for cofounding factors. Statistical significance was set at 0.05. Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the ethics and research committee of UATH.

Out of the 3786 women admitted into the Gynaecological ward during the 5-year study period, 113 had Gynaecological cancers with histological diagnosis, giving an incidence of 3.0%.

Characteristics of the study sample

The  age  group  from  50-59  has  the  highest number of patients with 28.3%, followed by age group ≥60 with 23.9%. On educational status of the patients, 41.6% has no formal education, 32.7% had unspecified occupation and Igbo has the highest number of patients with 31.9%, followed by others with 30.1%. Majority of the patients (63.7%) were Christians and majority (61.9%) were grand multiparous (Table 1). There were no association between sociodemographic factors and gynaecological cancers as seen in Table 2. The commonest gynaecological cancer in the study was cervical carcinoma, which constituted 74 (65.5%) of the cases, followed by ovarian cancer 25 (22.1%). Endometrial cancer accounted for 8 (7.1%), choriocarcinoma 5 (4.4%), while the least was vulva cancer 1 (0.9%). There was no case of vaginal cancer seen.

Blagden, 2012).

Endometrial carcinoma accounted for 7.1% and the third most common Gynaecological cancer in this study. It occurred more commonly than choriocarcinoma, which accounted for 4.4%. This finding is consistent with the reports from studies done in Jos, Kano, Enugu and Abakaliki, but different from that reported in Ilorin, Nigeria; where choriocarcinoma was found to be common than endometrial cancer (Sanni et al., 2013; Yakasai et al., 2013; Okeke et al., 2013; Agboeze et al., 2015; Ibrahim and Ijaiya, 2013). This study showed that choriocarcinoma is relatively a disease of younger women and may be so because the disease is associated with pregnancy; hence, it is more likely to occur in active reproductive life (Agboeze et al., 2015). Vulva carcinoma was the least common Gynaecological malignancy in this study, accounting for only 0.9% of female genital cancers. This is comparable to the report of a similar study in Jos (1.4%) (Sanni et al., 2013), but lower than 2.21, 3.6, and 4.3% reported in Kano, Ilorin and Enugu, respectively (Yakasai et al., 2013; Ibrahim and Ijaiya, 2013; Nwankwo et al., 2011).

Cervical carcinoma is the most common gynaecological malignancy and squamous cell carcinoma is the commonest histological type seen.  More emphasis needs to be placed on education and public enlightenment for routine screening and treatment of premalignant lesions of the female genital tract. Facilities for screening, regular gynaecological examinations and well‑defined follow‑up surveillance system can change the rising trend of female genital malignancies.

The authors have not declared any conflict of interests.