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Childhood deaths from malignant neoplasms in accra

Rk Gyasi1, Y Tettey

  • 1Departments of Pathology, University of Ghana Medical School, P. O. Box 4236, Accra, Ghana.

Ghana Medical Journal
|October 11, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Childhood cancer deaths in sub-Saharan Africa are rising. Lymphoma is the most common cause, differing from patterns in developed nations where leukemia is more prevalent.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Oncology
  • Cancer Epidemiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Childhood cancer is an emerging leading cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa.
  • Reducing infectious disease mortality shifts focus to non-communicable diseases like cancer.
  • Understanding pediatric malignancy patterns is crucial for healthcare planning.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To detail the mortality patterns of childhood malignancies.
  • To compare these death patterns with morbidity data.
  • To establish baseline data for pediatric cancer care services.

Main Methods:

  • A decade-long retrospective autopsy study (1990-1999).
  • Analysis of pediatric malignancy cases at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital Mortuary.
  • Data collected from autopsy files.

Main Results:

  • 252 childhood malignant tumors identified (139 males, 113 females).
  • Lymphoma was the most common malignancy (54%), predominantly Non-Hodgkin's type.
  • Central Nervous System (CNS) tumors (13%), nephroblastomas (10.3%), and leukemias (6.7%) were also significant.

Conclusions:

  • Mortality patterns largely mirrored morbidity in Ghana and the region.
  • Higher proportions of deaths from CNS tumors and lower from sarcomas were noted compared to morbidity.
  • Lymphomas were the leading cause of cancer death, unlike in developed countries where leukemia is more common.
Abstract

Keywords:
Autopsychildhood deathsmalignant neoplasms

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