Background The incidence of cancer continues to rise all over the world and current projections show that there will be 1.27 million new cases and almost 1 million deaths by 2030. In view of the rising incidence of cancer in sub-Saharan Africa, urgent steps are needed to guide appropriate policy, health sector investment and resource allocation. We posit that hospital based cancer registries (HBCR) are fundamental sources of information on the frequent cancer sites in limited resource regions where population level data is often unavailable. In regions where population based cancer registries are not in existence, HBCR are beneficial for policy and planning. Materials and Methods Nineteen of twenty-one cancer registries in Nigeria met the definition of HBCR, and from these registries, we requested data on cancer cases recorded from January 2009 to December 2010. 16 of the 19 registries (84%) responded. Data on year hospital was established; year cancer registry was established, no of pathologists and types of oncology services available in each tertiary health facility were shown. Analysis of relative frequency of cancers in each HBCR, the basis of diagnosis recorded in the HBCR and the total number of cases recorded by gender was carried out. Results The total number of cancers registered in these 11 hospital based cancer registries in 2009 and 2010 was 6484. The number of new cancer cases recorded annually in these hospital based cancer registries on average were 117 cases in males and I77 cases in females. Breast and cervical cancer were the most common cancers seen in women while prostate cancer was the commonest among men seen in these tertiary hospitals. Conclusion Information provided by HBCR is beneficial and can be utilized for the improvement of cancer care delivery systems in low and middle income countries where there are no population based cancer registries.

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Background:Schistosomiasis is one of the neglected tropical diseases caused by a trematode, Schistosoma spp, and affects many systems in the body including the gastrointestinal tract. Schistosomiasis of the appendix is a well-recognized disease and presents as a chronic granulomatous inflammation. This study aims to document the frequency and pattern of distribution of schistosomal appendicitis in our environment.Materials and Methods:This is a retrospective histopathological review of schistosomiasis of the appendix in the Department of Pathology, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria - Nigeria, between January 1, 1991 to December 31, 2012.Results:Within the study period, there were 1,464 appendectomy specimens histologically examined in the Pathology Laboratory. Thirty of these, representing 2.1%, were diagnosed as schistosomiasis of the appendix. The male:female ratio was 6.5:1 and peak age incidence was in the 20-29 years age group. Abdominal pains, vomiting and fever were seen in 23 (76.7%) and altered bowel motion in seven (23.3%) patients.Conclusion:This study showed that schistosomiasis of the appendix is not rare and that its presentation is similar to other forms of appendicitis. There is a need to focus on the prevention of schistosomiasis in order to reduce morbidity among these economically viable age groups.

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