Bladder Cancer and Urinary Schistosomiasis in Angola

Abstract

Schistosomiasis haematobia is among the most prevalent parasitosis in Angola. The pathology is characterized by serious and irreversible lesions in the urogenital tract induced by chronic infection with the parasite that can eventually lead to squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder. Considering the frequency and severe morbidity observed, even in younger ages, the purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and morbidity of S. haematobium infection in Angola. A baseline survey was conducted between November 2007 and February 2008. A randomly sample of 300 inhabitants aged 15 to 75 years old participated in this study. Prevalence of S. haematobium infection was 71.7 % (215/300). Infection was higher in females (56.3 %) but no significant difference was found in prevalence and intensity between gender and age groups. The predominant selfreported symptoms were dysuria (91.2 %), hypogastralgia (88.7 %) and haematuria (87.1%) and these symptoms were strongly associated with S. haematobium infection (p<0.05). Ultrasound and cystoscopy examinations performed in a sub-sample of 29 individuals revealed pathological conditions at the urinary tract in all examined. Considering the high prevalence of S. haematobium infections in Angola and schistosomiasis-associated bladder cancer, our results indicate that this population should be targeted for follow up and implementation of measures for treatment and control of schistosomiasis.

Female with bladder cancer: what and why is there a difference?

“…Chronic inflammatory reactions seem to influence carcinogenesis, as observed in various malignancies. In bladder cancer, the infection with schistosomas is strongly associated with the risk of squamous carcinoma of the bladder, and there seem to be gender-specific differences in the prevalence of schistosoma infection ( 84 ). In addition, other pathogens inducing inflammatory reactions may have an impact on the risk of developing UCB.…”

Development of Urinary Bladder Pre-Neoplasia by Schistosoma haematobium Eggs and Chemical Carcinogen in Mice

“…Recently, a retrospective review of 185 patients in north-western Tanzania reported 55.1% of SCC whereas 40.5% TCC and 44.9% of all cancer cases were found to have Schistosoma eggs [8]. Similarly, a study from Angola reported a prevalence of 71.7% S. haematobium infection with 3.4% vesical tumor, classified as SCC [9]. …”

An Epidemiological Trend of Urogenital Schistosomiasis in Ethiopia

“…Recently, a prevalence of 71.7% S. haematobium with 44.8% and 10.3% granulomas and calcifications of the bladder wall, respectively, was reported in Angola. The study also revealed about 3.4% vesical tumor classified as squamous cell carcinoma ( 17 ). Schistosoma haematobium has been classified as a class 1 carcinogen by the WHO/IARC ( 18 ) and an enormous body of evidence exists to support that assertion.…”