Distribution Pattern and Prevalence of Haematological Cancers among Adults in Abakaliki, South-Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Haematological cancers are clonal diseases of the blood and blood-forming organs, with the distribution pattern not known in our locality. This study aimed to describe the distribution pattern and prevalence of haematological cancers among adults in Abakaliki, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was an 8-year retrospective study in which the hospital records/case notes of adult patients diagnosed and managed for haematological cancers from May 2012 to April 2020 were reviewed. Data obtained were analysed with the SPSS software, version 20. Results: One hundred and thirty-five cases of haematological cancers were included in the study, with 72 (53.4%) males and 63 (46.6%) females and male-to-female ratio of 1.1:1. The age range was 18–82 years, with a mean age of 49 ± 17 years. Lymphoid malignancies predominate more than myeloid (101 [74.8%] vs. 34 [25.2%]). The leukaemias were more predominant than the lymphomas and myeloma accounting for 48.2%, 36.3% and 7.4%, respectively. Chronic leukaemias were more common than the acute leukaemias with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) being the most common accounting for 24.4% of haematological cancers. In general, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) was the most common haematologic cancer accounting for 35 (25.9%), followed by CLL 33 (24.4%), chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) 17 (12.6%), Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) 14 (10.4%) and multiple myeloma (MM) 10 (7.4%). Others include acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) 9 (6.7%) and acute myeloblastic leukaemia (AML) 6 (4.4%). Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and polycythaemia vera (PV), each contributed 3% while myelofibrosis (MF) and essential thrombocythaemia (ET) contributed 1.5% and 0.7%, respectively. Conclusion: This study has shown that haematological cancers are not uncommon in our locality with NHL being the most common, followed by CLL, CML, HL, MM, ALL, AML, MDS, PV. MF and ET in that order. The burden of haematological cancers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria is therefore significant and should be prioritised in health-care policy formulation and management.

Demographics and Overall Survival Pattern of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in a Tertiary Hospital in South-South Nigeria: The Calabar Experience

“…In a previous study [4], the prevalence of CML was reported as 19.57%. A similar study on the pattern and prevalence of haematological cancers in South-Eastern Nigeria also reported a prevalence of 12.6% [5]. The chronic myeloid leukaemia is said to affect any age group but is rare in children [2,3].…”

“…The median ages vary from one location to another. In the western world, it is 53 years while in African countries, it is 38years [5,6,7]. Chronic myeloid leukaemia is a bi-or triphasic disease condition.…”

Pharmacovigilance in Multiple Myeloma Care in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Review of Immunomodulatory Anti-myeloma Guidelines Using Kenyan AMPATH Framework

“…suggest that haematological malignancies constitute significant cancer mortality and morbidity and impacting on the health and economy of many developing countries of Africa. Amongst these, MM is remarkable with a projected mortality of 91% by 2030 [7][8][9]. In spite of these indicting reports in Africa, cancer has been given low priority in the research field and health care services and only few countries have incorporated PV in the care of MM patients [10].…”