The study on profile of urological malignancies among patients admitted to urological surgical wards at Muhimbili National Hospital

Abstract

Cancer is a big problem in many countries of Africa who are without resources to cope with it. This study dealt with the urological cancers involving; renal, urinary bladder affecting male and female, and prostate, penile and testicular cancers only affecting males. Urological cancers are becoming a major problem in both men and women, and the most affected age group is between 51-70 years.

Objectives The aim of the study was to determine the profile of urological malignancies, demography, and clinical presentation among patients admitted at Muhimbili National Hospital.

Methods It was a cross-sectional, prospective hospital-based descriptive study conducted at Muhimbili National Hospital adult urological wards to consented patients whom were admitted due to urological symptoms and signs for the period of March 2010 – Feb 2011. The study was performed through personal interviews, by structured questionnaires, investigated by PSA, biopsies, cystoscopy, ultrasound, and Computed Tomography Scan.

Results A total of 306 patients were interviewed, among those prostate cancer were 138(45%), bladder cancer were 130(42%), renal cancer 26(9%), penile cancer were seven and testicular cancer five patients. The mean age of patients was 50.3 years, with the range of 14-91 years. The Male to female ratio was 3.2: 1.

Conclusion According to above data prostate cancer was the commonest cause of admission, closely followed by bladder cancer. Others still have low prevalence. The commonest histology for prostate cancer was adenocarcinoma by 91%, other types accounting for 9%. Bladder cancer were; squamous cell carcinoma 54%, transitional cell carcinoma 18%, adenocarcinoma 15%, other types showed 13%. For renal cancer, renal cell carcinoma 65%, and urothelial cell carcinoma 35%. Penile cancer- squamous cell carcinoma 100%, and Testis - germ cell carcinoma 60%, others (non-germ cell tumours) 40%. Majority of these patients came with advanced stage, which gave big challenges for their management.