A review of abnormal cervical cytology seen in a tertiary centre in North-east Nigeria.

Abstract

Background: Early detection and treatment of cervical premalignant lesions are crucial in reducing the incidence and mortality associated with cervical cancer.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of abnormal cervical cytology among patients attending the gynaecology/postnatal clinic of Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe State, Nigeria.

Method: It was a retrospective chart review of all cervical smears received and processed at the pathology laboratory of Federal Teaching Hospital between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022. The patients' case files were retrieved, and data on age, marital status, occupation, and parity were extracted. The data was analyzed using the EPI Info statistical package, version 7.2, and the results were presented as percentages in tables.

Results: During the study period, the histopathology department processed 596 cervical smears from women between the ages of 20 and 65 years. Negative smears for intra-epithelial lesions were predominant in 373 (62.6%), while in 52 (8.7%) the smears were inflammatory. Dyskaryotic smears were found in 155(26.0%) smears; this was made up atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance (AGCUS) in 11(1.8%) cases, Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) in 61 (10.23%), Low grade squamous intra-epithelial lesion (LSIL) in 63 (10.6%) and High grade squamous intra-epithelial lesion (HSIL) in 20 (3.6%). Malignant smears were found in 3 (0.5%) of the smears, however, the remaining 13(2.1%) were unsatisfactory smears.

Conclusion: The relatively high frequency of dyskaryosis in this study stresses the need for migration from only opportunistic screening to a wider community-based structured screening program if we are to achieve the global eradication of cervical cancer.