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Surgical candidacy and treatment initiation among women with cervical cancer at public referral hospitals in Kampala, Uganda: a descriptive cohort study.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Swanson, M; Nakalembe, M; Chen, L-M; Ueda, S; Namugga, J; Nakisige, C; Huchko, MJ
Published in: BMJ Open
December 12, 2020

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to report the proportion of women with a new diagnosis of cervical cancer recommended for curative hysterectomy as well as associated factors. We also report recommended treatments by stage and patterns of treatment initiation. DESIGN: This was an observational cohort study. Inperson surveys were followed by a phone call. SETTING: Participants were recruited at the two public tertiary care referral hospitals in Kampala, Uganda. PARTICIPANTS: Adult women with a new diagnosis of cervical cancer were eligible: 332 were invited to participate, 268 met the criteria and enrolled, and 255 completed both surveys. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOMES MEASURES: The primary outcome of interest was surgical candidacy; a secondary outcome was treatment initiation. Descriptive and multivariate statistical analyses examined the associations between predictors and outcomes. Sensitivity analyses were performed to examine outcomes in subgroups, including stage and availability of radiation. RESULTS: Among 268 participants, 76% were diagnosed at an advanced stage (IIB-IVB). In total, 12% were recommended for hysterectomy. In adjusted analysis, living within 15 km of Kampala (OR 3.10, 95% CI 1.20 to 8.03) and prior screening (OR 2.89, 95% CI 1.22 to 6.83) were significantly associated with surgical candidacy. Radiotherapy availability was not significantly associated with treatment recommendations for early-stage disease (IA-IIA), but was associated with recommended treatment modality (chemoradiation vs primary chemotherapy) for locally advanced stage (IIB-IIIB). Most (67%) had started treatment. No demographic or health factor, treatment recommendation, or radiation availability was associated with treatment initiation. Among those recommended for hysterectomy, 55% underwent surgery. Among those who had initiated treatment, 82% started the modality that was recommended. CONCLUSION: Women presented to public referral centres in Kampala with mostly advanced-stage cervical cancer and few were recommended for surgery. Most were able to initiate treatment. Lack of access to radiation did not significantly increase the proportion of early-stage cancers recommended for hysterectomy.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

BMJ Open

DOI

EISSN

2044-6055

Publication Date

December 12, 2020

Volume

10

Issue

12

Start / End Page

e039946

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms
  • Uganda
  • Referral and Consultation
  • Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Hysterectomy
  • Humans
  • Hospitals
  • Female
  • Cohort Studies
 

Citation

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Swanson, M., Nakalembe, M., Chen, L.-M., Ueda, S., Namugga, J., Nakisige, C., & Huchko, M. J. (2020). Surgical candidacy and treatment initiation among women with cervical cancer at public referral hospitals in Kampala, Uganda: a descriptive cohort study. BMJ Open, 10(12), e039946. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-039946
Swanson, Megan, Miriam Nakalembe, Lee-May Chen, Stefanie Ueda, Jane Namugga, Carol Nakisige, and Megan J. Huchko. “Surgical candidacy and treatment initiation among women with cervical cancer at public referral hospitals in Kampala, Uganda: a descriptive cohort study.BMJ Open 10, no. 12 (December 12, 2020): e039946. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-039946.
Swanson M, Nakalembe M, Chen L-M, Ueda S, Namugga J, Nakisige C, et al. Surgical candidacy and treatment initiation among women with cervical cancer at public referral hospitals in Kampala, Uganda: a descriptive cohort study. BMJ Open. 2020 Dec 12;10(12):e039946.
Swanson, Megan, et al. “Surgical candidacy and treatment initiation among women with cervical cancer at public referral hospitals in Kampala, Uganda: a descriptive cohort study.BMJ Open, vol. 10, no. 12, Dec. 2020, p. e039946. Pubmed, doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2020-039946.
Swanson M, Nakalembe M, Chen L-M, Ueda S, Namugga J, Nakisige C, Huchko MJ. Surgical candidacy and treatment initiation among women with cervical cancer at public referral hospitals in Kampala, Uganda: a descriptive cohort study. BMJ Open. 2020 Dec 12;10(12):e039946.

Published In

BMJ Open

DOI

EISSN

2044-6055

Publication Date

December 12, 2020

Volume

10

Issue

12

Start / End Page

e039946

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms
  • Uganda
  • Referral and Consultation
  • Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Hysterectomy
  • Humans
  • Hospitals
  • Female
  • Cohort Studies