Cervical Cytology: A Review of 597 Cases in a Tertiary Health Centre in Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer is the most common gynaecological cancer among women in the developing countries. It is preventable by early detection and treatment of the precursor lesions. Cervical cytology became the standard screening test for cervical cancer and premalignant lesions with the introduction of the Papanicolau (Pap) smear. Aim: to determine the uptake, indications and results of cervical cytology in a tertiary health center in Nigeria. Materials and Methods: a 5-year descriptive study of the results of cervical cytology among women who attended the gynaecological outpatient clinic of the Hospital. Results: a total of 597 cases of cervical Pap smears were received at the histopathology department during the study period out of which 20 (3.4%) were inadequate for cytological evaluation. The patients age ranged from 15 to 80 (mean 38.8 SD = 11.4) years. The average annual uptake of the Cervical smear was 9.3% of the total number of patients seen in the gynaecological clinic during the study period and the main indications were routine medical check-up, 256 (42.9%) and cervicitis 76 (12.7%). About 398 (66.7%) were normal smears while 152 (26.3%) were abnormal. Non-specific inflammatory changes were present in 113 (74.3%) cases. Cytology was positive for intraepithelial lesions in 6.8% (39/577) cases. Eighteen percent (7/39) of them were high-grade lesions while squamous cell carcinoma was detected in 12.8% (5/39) cases. Conclusion: the uptake of cervical cytology of 8.7% is low and the main indication was routine check up. Premalignant lesions were detected in 6.8% of cases.