Description
Background: 99% of cervical cancer cases are caused by HPV infection. HIV coinfection increases the risk of HPV-related precancerous lesions developing into invasive disease by up to six times. These patients tend to present at a young age and face a higher risk of treatment failure and poorer outcomes. This may be influenced by various factors such as an increased risk of complications,a poorer response to treatment,and a higher likelihood of recurrence.
Objectives: Study aimed to determine the clinical presentation and treatment modalities administered to cervical cancer patients with HIV coinfection at Kenyatta National Hospital.
Methodology: This was a retrospective study conducted at KNH through data abstraction from patient records managed between 2016 and 2023. The variables included socio-demographics, disease stage and treatment modalities administered. The inclusion criteria comprised having a diagnosis of cervical cancer with HIV coinfection, treated with either radiation, chemotherapy, or both. A purposive sampling technique was used to sample patients.Descriptive statistics were analyzed using SPSS version 25, employing means and standard deviations which were tabulated as frequencies and percentages. Ethical approval was granted by the KNH/UON Ethical Committee. Results were presented using tables and graphs.
RESULTS: 102 files were sampled. 76% of the patients were between the age of 35 to 54 years. 56% resided in Western region of Kenya. 72% were unemployed. 97% was squamous cell carcinoma histology. 51% presented with stage 3 (11% were 3A, 13% at 3B, 27% at 3C), stage 4A accounted for 25%. 66.3% were initiated on treatment. 61.4% received concurrent chemotherapy with EBRT. 61.4% received both EBRT and brachytherapy. 23.8% had no treatment interruptions.
CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated that patients presented with advanced disease. To address this, integrating oncology care in HIV services will help with early detection of precancerous and cancerous lesions, thus improving patient outcomes.
| Country | Kenya |
|---|---|
| Organization | Government of Kenya |
| Position | Clinical and radiation oncologist |
| Received a Grant? | No |
