Epidemiology and Clinical Signs of Gynecological Cancers in an African Country South of the Sahara: Case of the Republic of Benin in 2022

Introduction: Gynaecological cancers are the deadliest of the women’s cancers in the Republic of Benin. Late diagnosis is the most common reason. Objective: This paper aims to describe the epidemiological characteristics, and clinical and pathological signs of gynaecological cancers treated in the Republic of Benin between 2018 and 2022. Patients and Methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive, retrospectively collected study of patient data treated between 2018 and 2022 in two university gynaecology departments in Cotonou. All gynaecological cancers that have histological evidence were included. The epidemiological, clinical and pathological characteristics of the cancers were assessed. Results: Cervical, endometrial and ovarian cancers were the most common in the proportions of 62.0%, 24.1%, 12.0% and 1.8% respectively. The mean age at diagnosis was 54 years. The victims were uneducated and had low economic power in 81% and 85% of cases, respectively. The consultation was late in 82.1% of cases. Metrorrhagia, postmenopausal metrorrhagia and pelvic cluster headache were the common reasons for consultation for cervical, endometrial and ovarian cancer, respectively. Diagnosis was late in 66.7% (n = 71). The most common histological types were squamous cell carcinoma, endometrioid adenocarcinoma, and serous cystadenocarcinoma for cervical, endometrial, and ovarian cancers, respectively. Conclusion: Gynaecological cancers were common and their consultation time was delayed. The diagnosis was made at the advanced stage and there were several reasons for this.

Uncovering the epidemiology of bladder cancer in the Arab world: A review of risk factors, molecular mechanisms, and clinical features

Objective:Bladder cancer(BC)is a significant public health concern in the Middle East and North Africa,but the epidemiology and clinicopathology of the disease and contributors to high mortality in this region remain poorly understood.The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the epidemiological features of BC in the Arab world and compare them to those in Western countries in order to improve the management of this disease.Methods:An extensive electronic search of the PubMed/PMC and Cochrane Library databases was conducted to identify all articles published until May 2022,following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.A total of 95 articles were included in the final analysis after title,abstract,and full-text screening,with additional data obtained from the GLOBOCAN and WHO 2020 databases.

Fertility preservation in patients with gynecologic cancer

In this editorial we comment on the article by Gu et al.We focus and debate the necessity of fertility sparing surgery in young women’s with gynecologic cancers,specifically on those patients with the desire to conceive.This type of individu-alized treatment options is often very difficult,due to the risk of disease evolution and multiple disparities in fertility preservation services among women in di-fferent countries and societies.For this reason national policy interventions are mandatory in order to ensure equitable access this procedures,in women with cancer.

Epidemiology of biliary tract cancer in China:A narrative review

Biliary tract cancer(BTC)is a group of rare malignancies that affect the gallbladder and bile ducts.Although rare,BTC is becoming a significant public health burden in China,particularly among males and older individuals.The increasing trends in BTC incidence and mortality in China are influenced by various demographic,environmental,and lifestyle factors.In this review,we examine available epidemiological data on the incidence,mortality,prognosis,and trends of different BTC subtypes in China.We also discuss the challenges and opportunities for improving the prevention,diagnosis,and management of BTC in China,and identify areas for further research and intervention.The article aims to provide a better understanding of the epidemiological features of BTC in China and to inform public health strategies and clinical practice.

Fear of Cancer Recurrence in Women with Gynecological Cancer:A Systematic Review

Although some types of gynecological cancer have a poor prognosis and high recurrence rate,less is known about the fear of cancer recurrence(FCR)in gynecological cancer patients than in other cancer populations.Psychosocial problems may be experienced more in gender-specific cancers.In order to prevent future health problems related to FCR,it is critical to identify the factors affecting FCR in different subgroups and to develop various interventions.The aim of this study was to review the literature on the factors affecting the FCR in women diagnosed with gynecological cancer and interventions to reduce the FCR.The protocol of this review was registered with PROSPERO(Registration number:CRD42023452570).A total of 18 studies from 10 different countries were included in the systematic review by searching on the PubMed,ScienceDirect,Ovid,Sage,Scopus,Taylor&Francis,Web of Science,CINAHL Complete,and Cochrane databases were searched in English between July-August 2023 without year limitation to identify studies on FCR in women with gynecological cancer.Data from eligible articles were extracted and appraised for quality by two independent reviewers.In addition,bibliometric analysis method was used to visually map the studies on FCR in women with gynecological cancer according to the most frequently repeated keyword,number of citations,most cited author and publication year.Thefindings of the study are categorized and interpreted under two headings,“Interventions affecting FCR”and“Factors influencing FCR”.Sociodemographic characteristics such as age,economic status,social support,family history of cancer,psychological characteristics,quality of life and symptoms affect FCR.Deterioration in mental health and emotional weakness predict higher FCR,increase in positive emotional expression reduces FCR.The negative effects of cancer on sexuality and relationships,concerns about future treatments and emotional problems,and anxiety about not being able to fulfill their roles at home/work are the underlying reasons for the FCR.Therefore,professional psychosocial support should be provided to cancer survivors.Further studies are needed to identify the factors that trigger FCR and to plan interventions accordingly.This study is expected to encourage health professionals to plan interventions and research for gynecological cancer survivors.

Impact of gynecological cancers on women’s mental health

Gynecological cancers and their treatments are associated with both specific and non-specific long-term physiological effects.Cancer patients face transformations in their lifestyle,body image,role,and social interactions and suffer from physical,psychological,and economic problems.The mental health of cancer patients is of great importance and requires special attention,as growing evidence demonstrates its influence not only on quality of life but also on treatment com-pliance.Gynecological cancers have peculiar psychological consequences,which are linked to the specificity of the site of the neoplasia.Clinicians should be aware of the importance of protecting the psychophysical health of these patients and the fact that their physical health and quality of life also depend on the quality of their mental health.It is possible to structure targeted and effective prevention interventions and treatments to reduce psychological distress and improve the quality of life of subjects living with gynecological cancers.

Effects of relaxation breathing exercise on fatigue and cortisol level among Indonesian gynecological cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy:a pilot study

Objective:This study aimed to determine the effect of the relaxation breathing exercise(RBE)on fatigue and cortisol levels among Indonesian women with gynecological cancer undergoing chemotherapy.Methods:This pilot study consecutively recruited 44 gynecological cancer patients to receive RBE(22)or usual care(22).Cortisol level was measured before and after completion of the intervention(day 8).Fatigue was measured using the Piper Fatigue Scale(PFS).Anxiety and depression were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale(HADS)at the baseline days of the study for days 1,4,and 8.The obtained data were analyzed using Fisher’s exact test,the independent t-test,and the Mann-Whitney U test.Results:There were significant increases in cortisol levels within the groups,either the intervention or control groups,respectively(P-value=0.0003 and 0.001).Despite there being no statistical significance between the intervention and control groups,there were noticeable differences in the cortisol levels,indicating the extreme increase in cortisol levels in the control group(Median[IQR1-IQR3]:2.30[0.99-9.09];Min-Max:0.43-23.38)compared with the intervention group(Median[IQR1-IQR3]=2.97[1.26-5.18];Min-Max=0.39-6.91).Conclusions:RBE helps prevent a significant increase in cortisol levels that can alleviate fatigue for women with gynecological cancer.Further research was recommended to compare several intervention modalities for fatigue and cancer-related symptom management based on cortisol level changes.

Supportive care needs of women with gynecologic cancer and factors affecting in Turkiye: a cross sectional study

Background:Identifying and managing patients'supportive care needs is an essential component of health care.The cancer patients'needs are multidimensional and it is important to identify these needs.This study was conducted to assess supportive care needs of women with gynecologic cancer and affecting factors.Methods:This cross-sectional study consisted of 98 women with gynecologic cancer.The data of the study was gathered using“Personal Information Form”and the“James Supportive Care Screening”.Results:The most frequently reported unmet needs of gynecologic cancer patients were emotional issues,including uncertainty(87.6%),fears(85.7%),feeling down(86.7%),worry(87.6%),loss of interest in usual activities(73.3%)and physical symptoms including fatigue/lack of energy(81.9%),weakness(81.9%),lack of appetite(76.2%).The most frequently reported social/practical problems was transportation problems(50%).The mean scores for JSCS was 29.72±15.57.There were a statistically significant difference was found only between family type,stage of the disease,and time of diagnosis,and the total mean scores of the JSCS(p<0.05).Conclusion:It has been determined that patients with gynecological cancer mostly experience emotional and physical problems.Health professionals working in the oncology unit should be aware of unmet needs.Certain programs and services to address the identified unmet needs should be provided.

Epidemiological Clinical and Histological Aspects of Gynecological and Breast Cancer in Pointe Noire (Congo Brazzaville)

INTRODUCTION: The objective of our study was to determine the epidemiological clinical and histological aspects of gynecological and breast cancers in Pointe-Noire. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective descriptive study that took place in the cancerology and internal medicine department during the period from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2021, i.e. a period of 10 years. Women with histological diagnosis of gynecological and breast cancers were included in our study. The variables studied were: frequency, age, alcohol and tobacco consumption, histological type, stage of extension, location of cancer. Bivariate analysis was done between age and location of the tumour. The statistical test used was the KHI2 test. The results were statistically significant for a value of p RESULTS: We collected 400 files from women with cancer. Among the 400 files, 265 were represented by gynecological and breast cancers, that is a frequency of 65.43%. Among the 265 cases of gynecological and breast cancer identified during this study period, breast cancer represented the first rank with 52% frequency. Cervical cancer accounted for 41% followed by ovarian cancer (5%) and endometrial (2%). Cancer of vulva was represented by a single case. The average age of patients with gynecological and breast cancers during our study was 52 ± 12 years. The average age of patients with cancer of the breast, cervix, ovarian, endometrial was respectively 49 ± 11.97 years, 54.73 ± 12.91 years old, 50 ± 14 years, 67 ± 14.24 years, the age of the vulva cancer patient was 51 years old. The histological type of breast cancer was represented by infiltrating ductal adenocarcinoma in 91% of cases, invasive lobular carcinoma in 7% and sarcoma in 2%. Cervical cancers were represented by squamous cell carcinomas in 95% of cases and adenocarcinomas in 5% of cases. Vulva cancer was represented by squamous cell carcinoma, ovarian cancer was represented by epithelial tumors (adenocarcinoma) in 100% of cases. Endometrial cancers were represented by endometrial adenocarcinoma. All cancers were diagnosed at advanced stages (locoregional and metastatic stage). Patients over the age of 50 had more gynecological and breast cancers;but this result was not significant. CONCLUSION: Gynecological and breast cancers are frequent and constitute the first cancer of Congolese women in Pointe-Noire. Breast cancer is the first cancer followed by cancer of the cervix and ovaries. The histological types are those of the literature. Patients with gynecological and breast cancers consult at very advanced stages.

Epidemiology of pancreatic cancer

Cancer of the pancreas remains one of the deadliest cancer types. Based on the GLOBOCAN 2012 estimates, pancreatic cancer causes more than 331000 deaths per year, ranking as the seventh leading cause of cancer death in both sexes together. Globally, about 338000 people had pancreatic cancer in 2012, making it the 11^(th) most common cancer. The highest incidence and mortality rates of pancreatic cancer are found in developed countries. Trends for pancreatic cancer incidence and mortality varied considerably in the world. A known cause of pancreatic cancer is tobacco smoking. This risk factor is likely to explain some of the international variations and gender differences. The overall five-year survival rate is about 6%(ranges from 2% to 9%), but this vary very small between developed and developing countries. To date, the causes of pancreatic cancer are still insufficiently known, although certain risk factors have been identified, such as smoking, obesity, genetics, diabetes, diet, inactivity. There are no current screening recommendations for pancreatic cancer, so primary prevention is of utmost importance. A better understanding of the etiology and identifying the risk factors is essential for the primary prevention of this disease.

Epidemiology of ovarian cancer:a review

Ovarian cancer(OC) is the seventh most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in the world and the tenth most common in China. Epithelial OC is the most predominant pathologic subtype, with five major histotypes that differ in origination,pathogenesis, molecular alterations, risk factors, and prognosis. Genetic susceptibility is manifested by rare inherited mutations with high to moderate penetrance. Genome-wide association studies have additionally identified 29 common susceptibility alleles for OC, including 14 subtype-specific alleles. Several reproductive and hormonal factors may lower risk, including parity, oral contraceptive use, and lactation, while others such as older age at menopause and hormone replacement therapy confer increased risks. These associations differ by histotype, especially for mucinous OC, likely reflecting differences in etiology. Endometrioid and clear cell OC share a similar, unique pattern of associations with increased risks among women with endometriosis and decreased risks associated with tubal ligation. OC risks associated with other gynecological conditions and procedures, such as hysterectomy,pelvic inflammatory disease, and polycystic ovarian syndrome, are less clear. Other possible risk factors include environmental and lifestyle factors such as asbestos and talc powder exposures, and cigarette smoking. The epidemiology provides clues on etiology,primary prevention, early detection, and possibly even therapeutic strategies.

Updates on larynx cancer epidemiology

Objective: Laryngeal cancer is an important oncologic entity, whose prognosis depends on establishing appropriate preventive and diagnostic measures, especially in populations at higher risk.Methods: Epidemiologic information including worldwide incidence, prevalence, burden of health loss(disability-adjusted life year;DALYs) and mortality of larynx cancer was obtained from the Global Health Data Exchange(GHDx) database.Results: The current incidence, prevalence and mortality of laryngeal cancer are estimated at 2.76 cases/year per 100,000 inhabitants, 14.33 cases/year per 100,000 inhabitants and 1.66 deaths/year per 100,000 inhabitants,respectively, averaging 3.28 million DALYs each year. Incidence and prevalence have increased by 12% and 24%,respectively during the past 3 decades, whilst mortality has declined by around 5%. The epidemiologic burden of this malignancy is approximately 5-fold higher in males and increases in parallel with ageing, peaking after 65 years of age. Both incidence and mortality rates are higher in Europe and lower in Africa, but the ratio between deaths and incidence is the highest in Africa. Incidence has gradually declined in Europe during the past 3 decades, whilst it has increased in South-East Asia and Western Pacific. Cigarette smoking and alcohol abuse contribute for about 90% of overall worldwide mortality for laryngeal cancer.Conclusions: Laryngeal cancer still poses a high clinical and societal burden, with an escalating temporal trend not expected to reverse soon.

Clinical epidemiology of gastric cancer in Hehuang valley of China:A 10-year epidemiological study of gastric cancer

AIM: To investigate the clinical epidemiological characteristics of gastric cancer in the Hehuang valley, China, to provide a reference for treatment and prevention of regional gastric cancer.

Epidemiology of prostate cancer and treatment remarks

Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer and one of the leading causes of cancer death among men in the Western countries.The aim of the present analysis is to assess the cancer burden in order to ensure accurate strategies for chemoprevention and treatment,including the major therapeutic approaches for localized high-risk disease-surgery and radiation therapy-and quality of life issues related to each option.

Gallbladder cancer epidemiology, pathogenesis and molecular genetics: Recent update

Gallbladder cancer is a malignancy of biliary tract which is infrequent in developed countries but common in some specific geographical regions of developing countries. Late diagnosis and deprived prognosis are major problems for treatment of gallbladder carcinoma. The dramatic associations of this orphan cancer with various genetic and environmental factors are responsible for its poorly defined pathogenesis. An understanding to the relationship between epidemiology, molecular genetics and pathogenesis of gallbladder cancer can add new insights to its undetermined pathophysiology. Present review article provides a recent update regarding epidemiology, pathogenesis, and molecular genetics of gallbladder cancer. We systematically reviewed published literature on gallbladder cancer from online search engine Pub Med(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed). Various keywords used for retrieval of articles were Gallbladder, cancer Epidemiology, molecular genetics and bullion operators like AND, OR, NOT. Cross references were manually searched from various online search engines(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed,https://scholar.google.co.in/, http://www.medline.com/home.jsp). Most of the articles published from 1982 to 2015 in peer reviewed journals have been included in this review.

Comparative epidemiology of gastric cancer between Japan and China

AIM:To clarify the similarities and differences in gastric cancer epidemiology between Japan and China.METHODS:A comprehensive literature search of the PubMed database was performed.The relevant literature published in China was also been cited.Data on incidence and mortality rates in 2008 were obtained from the Cancer Mondial database,published by International Agency for Research on Cancer at http://www-dep.iarc.fr/.RESULTS:Gastric cancer remains a significant publichealth burden in both Japan and China.The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)colonization is high in the adult populations of both countries.Accumulating evidence from intervention studies in both countries has shown the effectiveness of H.pylori eradication in reduc-ing gastric cancer incidence.There are differences,however,in many aspects of gastric cancer,including patterns of incidence and mortality,trends in the prevalence of H.pylori infection,H.pylori strains,the magnitude of risk of gastric cancer related to H.pylori infection,and associations with dietary habits.Compared with China,Japan has seen a more rapid decline in H.pylori infection among adolescents.While Japanese cohort studies have dominated the literature concerning the associations between gastric cancer and dietary habits,numerous case-control studies in China suggest a positive association between a high intake of preserved fish and vegetables and gastric cancer risk.There is a need for a multidisciplinary research approach to understand the interactions between various strains of H.pylori,host factors,and other lifestyle and environmental factors in gastric carcinogenesis in both countries.CONCLUSION:The shared high incidence of gastric cancer and high prevalence of H.pylori,as well as differences in many aspects of gastric cancer,provide an excellent opportunity to establish Sino-Japanese collaborations.

Epidemiology and risk factors of colorectal cancer in China

In China, colorectal cancer(CRC) ranked fourth and fifth in the highest incidence and mortality rates of all malignancies in 2018, respectively. Although these rates are below the world average, China placed first worldwide in the number of new CRC cases and CRC-related deaths because of its comparatively large population. This disease represents a threat to the health of population and incurs a heavy economic burden on the society and individuals. CRC has various risk factors, including age, sex, lifestyle, genetic factors, obesity, diabetes, gut microbiota status, and precancerous lesions. Furthermore, incidence and mortality rates of CRC are closely related to socioeconomic development levels, varying according to regional and population characteristics. Prevention is the main strategy to reduce incidence and mortality rates of CRC. This can be achieved through strategies stimulating lifestyle changes, healthy diet habits, and early screening for high-risk individuals. To reduce the burden of CRC, public health officials should promote prevention and management of modifiable risk factors through national policies. The rising incidence and mortality rates of CRC in China may be timely curbed by clarifying specific epidemiological characteristics, optimizing early screening strategies, and strictly implementing diagnosis and treatment guidelines. Thus, this study aimed to collect and report the current research status on epidemiology and risk factors of CRC in China.

Epidemiology of gastric cancer

The incidence and mortality of gastric cancer have fallen dramatically in US and elsewhere over the past several decades. Nonetheless, gastric cancer remains a major public health issue as the fourth most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Demographic trends differ by tumor location and histology. While there has been a marked decline in distal, intestinal type gastric cancers, the incidence of proximal, diffuse type adenocarcinomas of the gastric cardia has been increasing, particularly in the Western countries. Incidence by tumor sub-site also varies widely based on geographic location, race, and socioeconomic status. Distal gastric cancer predominates in developing countries, among blacks, and in lower socioeconomic groups, whereas proximal tumors are more common in developed countries, among whites, and in higher socio-economic classes. Diverging trends in the incidence of gastric cancer by tumor location suggest that they may represent two diseases with different etiologies. The main risk factors for distal gastric cancer include Helicobacter pylori （H pylori） infection and dietary factors, whereas gastroesophageal reflux disease and obesity play important roles in the development of proximal stomach cancer. The purpose of this review is to examine the epidemiology and risk factors of gastric cancer, and to discuss strategies for primary prevention.

Gastric cancer: Epidemiology, risk factors and prevention strategies

Gastric cancer(GC) is a global health problem, with more than 1 million people newly diagnosed with GC worldwide each year. GC is more prevalent in less developed countries than in more developed countries. About half of all GC cases worldwide occur in East Asia, notably China. Globally, overall incidence rates of GC are declining, which is potentially attributed to a decrease in Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) infection and the use of refrigeration to preserve foods rather than salt. GC is a multifactorial disease, and its occurrence and development were impacted by environmental and genetic factors. H. pylori infection is the primary risk factor for GC, especially for non-cardia. The prognosis of GC is poor due to stages at the first diagnosis. The 5-year survival rate is less than 10% when patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage, but the rate is as high as 85% if patients are detected at an earlier stage. Endoscopic screening can potentially prevent GC by early diagnosis and early treatment and has been widely adopted in screening programs in East Asian countries, such as Japan and Korea. This review summarizes updated epidemiological aspects, risk factors, and prevention strategies of GC in recent years to help researchers determine the most effective intervention strategies for reducing risk of GC.

Cervical cancer: Epidemiology, risk factors and screening

Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death among females worldwide and its behavior epidemiologically likes a venereal disease of low infectiousness. Early age at first intercourse and multiple sexual partners have been shown to exert strong effects on risk. The wide differences in the incidence among different countries also influenced by the introduction of screening. Although the general picture remains one of decreasing incidence and mortality, there are signs of an increasing cervical cancer risk probably due to changes in sexual behavior. Smoking and human papillomavirus(HPV) 16/18 are currently important issues in a concept of multifactorial, stepwise carcinogenesis at the cervix uteri. Therefore, society-based preventive and control measures, screening activities and HPV vaccination are recommended. Cervical cancer screening methods have evolved from cell morphology observation to molecular testing. High-risk HPV genotyping and liquid-based cytology are common methods which have been widely recommended and used worldwide. In future, accurate,cheap, fast and easy-to-use methods would be more popular. Artificial intelligence also shows to be promising in cervical cancer screening by integrating image recognition with big data technology. Meanwhile, China has achieved numerous breakthroughs in cervical cancer prevention and control which could be a great demonstration for other developing and resource-limited areas. In conclusion, although cervical cancer threatens female health, it could be the first cancer that would be eliminated by human beings with comprehensive preventive and control strategy.