Assessment of the Surgical Oncology Case Volume Within the Public Sector in Tanzania

Nathan R Brand ^1,2, Larry Akoko ^2,3, Vihar Kotecha ⁴

¹Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA.
²UCSF's Center for Health Equity in Surgery and Anesthesia, San Francisco, CA.
³Department of Surgery, Muhimbili University for Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
⁴Department of Surgery, Catholic University for Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania.
⁵Department of Surgery, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center, Moshi, Tanzania.
⁶Department of Surgery, University of Dodoma, Dodoma, Tanzania.
⁷Department of Surgery, Mnazi Mmoja Hospital, Zanzibar, Tanzania.
⁸Department of Surgery, Mbeya Zonal Referral Hospital, Mbeya, Tanzania.
⁹Department of Surgery, Muhimbili National Hospital, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
¹⁰Department of Surgery, Dodoma Regional Referral Hospital, Dodoma, Tanzania.
¹¹Department of Surgery, Sekou Toure Regional Referral Hospital, Mwanza, Tanzania.
¹²Department of Urology, Tanga Regional Referral Hospital, Tanga, Tanzania.
¹³Department of Surgery, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA.

⁰Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA.

Jco Global Oncology +

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March 7, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Tanzania performed an estimated 4,938 cancer surgeries in 2022, far below the country’s need of 19,726. This study highlights the critical gap in surgical oncology services and capacity in Tanzania.

Area Of Science

Oncology
Public Health
Surgical Services

Background

Surgical oncology is crucial for diagnosing, treating, and palliating cancer patients.
Information on surgical oncology service delivery in Tanzania is limited.
Understanding current service provision is essential for improving cancer care.

Purpose Of The Study

To assess the current delivery of surgical oncology services in Tanzania's public sector.
To quantify the number of cancer surgeries performed and compare it to the estimated need.

Main Methods

Reviewed operative logbooks from national, zonal, and regional referral hospitals in 2022.
Identified cancer cases by postoperative diagnosis.
Calculated the proportion and total number of cancer surgeries in the public sector.

Main Results

A total of 4,248 cancer surgeries were identified across 10 hospitals.
An estimated 4,938 cancer surgeries were performed in the public sector in 2022.
Prostate, breast, head and neck, esophageal, and bladder cancers were the most common diagnoses, with varying surgical intents.

Conclusions

An estimated 4,938 cancer surgeries were performed, representing only 25% of the estimated annual need (19,726).
There is a significant deficit in surgical oncology capacity in Tanzania.
Strategies are urgently needed to increase surgical oncology service delivery and capacity nationwide.

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