A 10-Year Histopathologic Audit of Uterine Cervical Biopsies in Warri, Nigeria

Abstract

The objective of the research was to determine the types, patterns of uterine cervical lesions and specific age distributions in which they occur.          Methods. The data for this study were obtained from the records of patients seen in consultations in the Department of Histopathology, Central Hospital Warri during the 10-year period from 2007 to 2016. Relevant clinical information was extracted from the available histopathology records and permission for this study was conformed with the provision of the Declaration of Helsinki in 1995.          Results. The study revealed that the peak age range for malignant neoplasm was between 40-49 years (27.52%) with the general age range between (20-80 years) mean age 52.39±13.69. Non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma constituted majority of squamous cell tumours (55.05%), while the keratinising variety was the second most common (26.61%) one. The study further revealed that ectocervical fibroepithelial polyps were more common than endocervical tumours especially in the reproductive years (30-50 years) with only one case of atrophic polyp recorded in a woman in the sixth decade. The study documented that 58 (22.48%) of the cervical biopsies were inflammatory with most cases occurring in the ectocervix (94.80%). Most cases of inflammation of the cervix (cervicitis) were disposed between 30 and 59 years with the peak age group occurring in the 4th age group (30-39 years).          Conclusions. This audit of uterine cervical biopsies established that malignant tumours were the most common neoplasms. Squamous cell carcinomas accounted for most carcinomas. Similarly, leiomyoma was demonstrated as predominant stromal tumour.