Patterns of care and outcomes for endometrial and ovarian cancers in botswana 2015-2021

Endometrial and ovarian cancers are leading causes of cancer death among women. However, there is little data on these patients from low- and middle-income countries including Botswana, a country in sub-Saharan Africa. This study reports data on demographics, treatment, and outcomes for patients with endometrial and ovarian cancer in Botswana.

This prospective cohort study included all prospectively enrolled patients with endometrial or ovarian cancer who presented to Princess Marina or Gaborone Private Hospital between May 2015 and May 2021. Demographic, treatment, and survival data were analyzed.

99 patients with endometrial and 38 patients with ovarian cancer were included. Median age at diagnosis was 64 for patients with endometrial cancer and 57 for patients with ovarian cancer. Just over half of patients with endometrial cancer (52.6%) presented with FIGO stages I and II, whereas most patients with ovarian cancer (65.8%) presented with stages III and IV. 24.2% of patients with endometrial cancer received chemotherapy, 32.3% received radiotherapy, 74.7% received surgical treatment, and 16.2% received no treatment; of patients with ovarian cancer, 42.1% received chemotherapy, 2.6% received radiotherapy, 52.6% received surgical treatment, and 31.6% of patients received no treatment. 1-and 2-year overall survival probabilities were 76.9% and 59.7% for patients with endometrial cancer and 62.8% and 43.7% for patients with ovarian cancer, respectively.

This study demonstrates that a large proportion of patients with ovarian and endometrial cancer in Botswana are diagnosed at an advanced stage, and many do not receive standard-of-care treatment. Further inquiry is required to characterize challenges to diagnosis and treatment of ovarian and endometrial cancers in Botswana.