Epidemiology of prostate cancer in Nigeria: a mixed methods systematic review

Prostate cancer (PCa) is an increasing burden in Sub-Saharan Africa. This systematic review examined the incidence, prevalence, clinical characteristics and outcomes of PCa in Nigeria.

This review followed the standard Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines. Peer-reviewed observational studies that focused on epidemiology of PCa in Nigeria, published between 1990 and 2023 and written in English were eligible. Combination of keywords was used to search PubMed, Scopus, Google scholar, AJOL and web of science databases. A piloted form by the Cochrane Public Health Group Data Extraction and Assessment Template was used to extract data from retrieved studies. Quality assessment of included studies was performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale for observational studies.

Of the 1898 articles retrieved, 21 met the inclusion criteria. All included studies showed good quality. Mean age for PCa ranged from 55 to 71 years, with a higher prevalence occurring within 60-69 years. A 7.7 fold increase in PCa incidence was reported for the years 1997-2006, while an average annual increase in incidence rate of 11.95% was observed from 2009 to 2013. Hospital-based prevalence of 14%-46.4% was observed for clinically active PCa. Patients presented for diagnosis with high Gleason scores and advanced PCa. High mortality (15.6%-64.0%) occurred between 6 months and 3 years of diagnosis.

Findings suggest rising incidence and high prevalence of PCa in Nigeria. Advanced PCa was most common at diagnosis and mortality was high. There is need for improved strategies and policies for early detection of PCa in Nigeria.