CHARACTERIZATION OF ADENOCARCINOMA AND SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA OF THE CERVIX IN NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, NNEWI NIGERIA
Keywords:
Cervical Cancer, Adenocarcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Histopathological CharacteristicsAbstract
Background: Cervical cancer remains a major health concern, particularly in developing countries. Understanding the distinct characteristics and clinical presentations of adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma is crucial for improving diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, especially in resource-limited settings like Nigeria.
Aim: This study compared the histopathological characteristics of adenocarcinoma (ADC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the cervix at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria.
Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 117 cervical cancer biopsies retrieved for the Histopathology Laboratory of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, which included 15 adenocarcinomas (12.82%), 26 squamous cell carcinoma in situ (SCCIS) (22.20%), and 76 invasive squamous cell carcinomas (ISCC) (64.95%). The samples were processed using the conventional Haematoxylin and Eosin staining method. Data on patient age, cancer grade, and tumour cell type were also collected.
Results: The mean ages for ADC, SCCIS, and ISCC were 44.9, 54.3, and 56.5 years, respectively. Among ADC cases, 11 (73.33%) were well-differentiated and 4 (26.67%) moderately differentiated. In SCCIS, 25 (96.20%) were well-differentiated and 1 (3.80%) moderately differentiated, while ISCC had 42 (55.30%) well-differentiated, 27 (35.50%) moderately differentiated, and 7 (9.20%) poorly differentiated tumours. Non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma was more prevalent 63 (61.76%) compared to keratinizing types 39 (38.24%).
Conclusion: SCC is more prevalent than ADC among cervical cancer cases, with older age at diagnosis for SCCIS and ISCC. High rates of well-differentiated SCCIS and ADC highlight the importance of early detection, while the presence of poorly differentiated ISCC reflect delayed diagnosis and indicates a need for aggressive treatment. Tailored treatment strategies based on histological subtypes and continuous monitoring are recommended to improve patient outcomes.
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