Prevalence and determinants of late-stage presentation among cervical cancer patients, a systematic review and meta-analysis

Controversies and Advances in the Personalized Surgical Treatment of Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer represents a global health issue as it is mostly encountered in women of reproductive age, while at the same time, survival outcomes seem to have remained constant during the last two decades. The need to implement fertility-sparing strategies as well as to decrease the morbidity that accompanies radical treatment has been extensively studied. During the last decade, several randomized clinical trials have been released, resulting in significant advances in the surgical treatment of early-stage disease. At the same time, evidence about the surgical treatment of advanced-stage disease as well as recurrent disease has gradually appeared and seems to be promising, thus leading the point forward towards personalized medicine that will remove the surgical barriers that seem concrete in our era. Nevertheless, the discrepancies in perioperative morbidity and survival outcomes that were observed among published studies raise several questions. In the present article, we chose to review the gray fields in the surgical treatment of early-stage and advanced-stage cervical cancer. Studies that are based on strong evidence that support current clinical practice are compared to smaller cohorts that present novel data that may form the basis for future research, and issues that remain poorly explored are discussed in an effort to help establish a consensus for future research development.

U.S. Women with Invasive Cervical Cancer: Characteristics and Potential Barriers to Prevention

Objectives: Although invasive cervical cancer (ICC) rates have declined since the advent of screening, the annual age-adjusted ICC rate in the United States remains 7.5 per 100,000 women. Failure of recommended screening and management often precedes ICC diagnoses. The study aimed to evaluate characteristics of women with incident ICC, including potential barriers to accessing preventive care. Materials and Methods: We abstracted medical records for patients with ICC identified during 2008-2020 in five U.S. population-based surveillance sites covering 1.5 million women. We identified evidence of adverse social and medical conditions, including uninsured/underinsured, language barrier, substance use disorder, incarceration, serious mental illness, severe obesity, or pregnancy at diagnosis. We calculated descriptive frequencies and compared potential barriers by race/ethnicity, and among women with and without symptoms at diagnosis using chi-square tests. Results: Among 1,606 women with ICC (median age: 49 years; non-White: 47.4%; stage I: 54.7%), the majority (68.8%) presented with symptoms. Forty-six percent of women had at least one identified potential barrier; 15% had multiple barriers. The most common potential barriers among all women were being underinsured/uninsured (17.3%), and language (17.1%). Presence of any potential barrier was more frequent among non-White women and women with than without symptoms (p < 0.05). Conclusions: In this population-based descriptive study of women with ICC, we identified adverse circumstances that might have prevented women from seeking screening and treatment to prevent cancer. Interventions to increase appropriate cervical cancer screening and management are critical for reducing cervical cancer rates.

Survival Status and Predictors Among Women with Advanced Stage of Cervical Cancer

Background

Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death in women, even though it is a preventable disease. Most deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. In addition to early detection and receipt of standard treatments, survivorship is an important component of high quality of care across the cancer continuum.

Objective

To assess the survival status of advanced-stage cervical cancer patients after cancer treatment has started.

Methods and Materials

A one-year prospective cohort study was employed to assess the survival status of women with advanced stages of cervical cancer. A total of 180 cervical cancer patients were recruited, and the study was conducted from January 10, 2022, to September 20, 2023. Data entry and analysis were done in the SPSS 29 version. Descriptive statistics were used to examine participant characteristics. The Kaplan-Meier procedure and log rank test were used to estimate the duration of survival. Bivariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were computed for predictor variables with survival status.

Results

Patients receiving cancer treatment at FIGO stages IVA and IVB had survived by 56% and 24%, respectively, whereas patients receiving treatment at stages IIB and IIIA had survived by 100%. The estimated mean survival time at one-year follow-up was 5.706 months (95% CI: 3.785-7.627) for patients with FIGO stage IVB, but 11.537 months (95% CI: 11.199-11.887) for those with stages II and III (P < 0.001). Women over 60 years old had a 1.5-fold higher risk of death than those under 60 (HR: 1.482, P = 0.040).

Conclusion

The one-year cumulative survival rate among advanced-stage cervical cancer patients was 77%. Major factors associated with survival were age, cancer stage, the presence of anemia, and waiting time for treatment.

Angiogenesis-related lncRNAs index: A predictor for CESC prognosis, immunotherapy efficacy, and chemosensitivity

Cervical squamous cell carcinoma and endocervical adenocarcinoma (CESC) is a common gynecologic tumor and patients with advanced and recurrent disease usually have a poor clinical outcome. Angiogenesis is involved in the biological processes of tumors and can promote tumor growth and invasion. In this paper, we created a signature for predicting prognosis based on angiogenesis-related lncRNAs (ARLs). This provides a prospective direction for enhancing the efficacy of immunotherapy in CESC patients. We screened seven OS-related ARLs by univariate and multivariate regression analyses and Lasso analysis and developed a prognostic signature at the same time. Then, we performed an internal validation in the TCGA-CESC cohort to increase the precision of the study. In addition, we performed a series of analyses based on ARLs, including immune cell infiltration, immune function, immune checkpoint, tumor mutation load, and drug sensitivity analysis. Our created signature based on ARLs can effectively predict the prognosis of CESC patients. To strengthen the prediction accuracy of the signature, we built a nomogram by combining signature and clinical features.

Factors associated with late diagnosis of cervical cancer at two national referral hospitals, Kenya 2017: A case control study

Background

Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality among women in Kenya. Two thirds of cervical cancer cases in Kenya are diagnosed in advanced stages. We aimed to identify factors associated with late diagnosis of cervical cancer, to guide policy interventions.

Methods

An unmatched case control study (ratio 1:2) was conducted among women aged ≥ 18 years with cervical cancer at Kenyatta National and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospitals. We defined a case as patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage ≥ 2A and controls as those with stage ≤ 1B. A structured questionnaire was used to document exposure variables. We calculated adjusted odds ratio (aOR) to identify any associations.

Results

We enrolled 192 participants (64 cases, 128 controls). Mean age 39.2 (±9.3) years, 145 (76 %) were married, 77 (40 %) had primary level education, 168 (88 %) had their first pregnancy ≤ 24 years of age, 85 (44 %) were > para 3 and 150 (78 %) used contraceptives. Late diagnosis of cervical cancer was associated with cost of travel to cancer centres > USD 6.1 (aOR 6.43 95% CI [1.30, 31.72]), age > 50 years (aOR 4.71; 95% CI [1.18, 18.80]), anxiety over cost of cancer care (aOR 5.6; 95% CI [1.05, 32.72]) and ultrasound examination during evaluation of symptoms (aOR 4.89; 95% CI [1.07-22.42]). Previous treatment for gynecological infections (aOR 0.10; 95% CI [0.02, 0.47]) was protective against late diagnosis.

Conclusion

Cost of seeking care and the quality of the diagnostic process were important factors in this study. Decentralization of care, innovative health financing solutions and clear diagnostic and referral algorithms for women presenting with gynecological symptoms could reduce late-stage diagnosis in Kenya.

Advanced-stage presentation of cancer at the time of diagnosis and its associated factors among adult cancer patients at Northwest Amhara comprehensive specialized hospitals, Northwest Ethiopia 2022

INTRODUCTION

Screening of cancer is the maximum effort and critical element for providing health related care in order to decrease cancer related dealt because of the disease burden is in its advanced stages. Unfortunately, advanced-stage presentation and late diagnosis of cancers endure a problem in low-income countries including Ethiopia. However, there is scarcity of published articles about the problem in Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of advanced-stage -stage presentation of cancer at the time of diagnosis and associated factors among adult cancer patients at Northwest Amhara comprehensive Specialized Hospitals, oncology treatment units, Northwest Ethiopia, 2022.

METHODS

An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted in Northwest Amhara public referral hospitals on 422 study participants. A systematic random sampling technique was performed. The data were collected through face to face interview and document review via structured, pretested questionnaires. Epi. Data version 4.6 and Stata version 14.0 software's were used for data entry and analysis respectively. Logistic regression were carried out to recognize factors associated with advanced-stage -stage presentation of cancer at the time of diagnosis. Adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval were used to measure the strength of association. Variables having p-value less than 0.2 in bivariable analysis were entered in to multivariable analysis; variables with a p-value < 0.05 were declared significantly associated with advanced-stage -stage presentation of cancer at the time of diagnosis.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of advanced-stage presentation of cancer at the time of diagnosis was found to be 67.57%. Age ≥ 60 years old patients (AOR = 6.10, 95%: (1.16-32.1)), patients had have a feeling of burden (AOR = 1.82, 95%, CI: (1.04-3.20)), and cancer patients with comorbidity illness (AOR = 2.40, 95%, CI: (1.40-4.12)) were significantly associated with advanced-stage presentation of cancer at the time of diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of advanced-stage presentation of cancer at the time of diagnosis was found to be high. Its better, health care providers in oncology treatment facilities need to give special attention to older patients, having feeling of burden and cancer patient with comorbidity to reduce the risk of developing late stage presentation of cancer.

Remote Symptom Monitoring to Enhance the Delivery of Palliative Cancer Care in Low-Resource Settings: Emerging Approaches from Africa

This paper brings together researchers, clinicians, technology developers and digital innovators to outline current applications of remote symptom monitoring being developed for palliative cancer care delivery in Africa. We outline three remote symptom monitoring approaches from three countries, highlighting their models of delivery and intended outcomes, and draw on their experiences of implementation to guide further developments and evaluations of this approach for palliative cancer care in the region. Through highlighting these experiences and priority areas for future research, we hope to steer efforts to develop and optimise remote symptom monitoring for palliative cancer care in Africa.

Determinants of late-stage cervical cancer presentation in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Behind breast, colorectal, and lung cancers, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer affecting females. Despite, it is a preventable form of cancer both the incidence and mortality figures reflect it as a major reproductive health problem. Late-stage cervical cancer diagnosis is associated with complicated clinical presentation which can result in short survival time and increased mortality. Several factors contribute to the late-stage presentation of cervical cancer patients. In Ethiopia nationally summarized evidence on the level and the factors contributing to late-stage cervical cancer diagnosis is scarce. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the pooled prevalence of late-stage cervical cancer diagnosis and its determinants in Ethiopia.

METHOD

A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted using PRISMA guidelines. Comprehensive literature was searched in PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, and African Online Journal to retrieve eligible articles. A weighted inverse variance random effect model was used to estimate pooled prevalence. Cochrane Q-test and I2 statistics were computed to assess heterogeneity among studies. Funnel plot and Egger's regression test were done to assess publication bias.

RESULT

Overall, 726 articles were retrieved and finally 10 articles were included in this review. The pooled prevalence of late-stage cervical cancer diagnosis in Ethiopia was 60.45% (95%CI; 53.04%-67.85%). Poor awareness about cervical cancer and its treatment (AOR = 1.55, 95% CI: (1.03 - 2.33, longer delay to seek care (AOR = 1.02, 95% CI: (1.01 - 1.03)) and rural residence (AOR = 2.07, 95% CI:( 1.56 - 2.75)) were significantly associated to late-stage diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

In Ethiopia, six in every ten cervical cancer cases are diagnosed at the late stage of the disease. Poor awareness about cervical cancer and its treatment, long patient delay to seek care, and rural residence were positively associated with late-stage diagnosis. Therefore intervention efforts should be made to improve public awareness about cervical cancer, minimize patient delay to seek care, and expand screening services specifically in the rural residing segment of the population to detect the disease early and improve survival.

Diagnostic and pre-treatment intervals among patients with cervical cancer attending care at the Uganda Cancer Institute: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Majority of patients with cervical cancer in the low- and middle-income countries experience long diagnostic and pre-treatment intervals. This study sought to determine the factors associated with the diagnostic and pre-treatment intervals among patients with cervical cancer.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study conducted at the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) during October 2019 to January 2020. Patients aged ≥ 18 years with histological diagnosis of cervical cancer were consecutively sampled. Data were collected using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire and a data abstraction form. Diagnostic intervals, defined as the time between first visit of a patient to a primary healthcare provider to time of getting confirmed diagnosis, of ≤ 3 months was defined as early & >3 months as late. Pre-treatment intervals, which is the time from histological diagnosis to starting cancer chemo-radiotherapy of ≤ 1 month was defined as early and > 1 month as late. Data were analysed using STATA version 14.0. We used modified Poisson regression models with robust variance to determine socio-demographic and clinical factors associated with the intervals.

RESULTS

The mean age of the participants was 50.0 ± 11.7 years. The median diagnostic and pre-treatment intervals were 3.1 (IQR: 1.4-8.2) months and 2.4 (IQR: 1.2-4.1) months respectively. Half of the participants, 49.6% (200/403) were diagnosed early; one in 5 patients, 20.1% (81/403) promptly (within one month) initiated cancer chemo-radiotherapy. Participants more likely to be diagnosed early included those referred from district hospitals (level 5) (aPR = 2.29; 95%CI: 1.60-3.26) and with squamous cell carcinomas (aPR = 1.55; 95%CI: 1.07-2.23). Participants more likely to be diagnosed late included those who first discussed their symptoms with relatives, (aPR = 0.77; 95%CI: (0.60-0.98), had > 2 pre-referral visits (aPR = 0.75; 95%CI (0.61-0.92), and had advanced stage (stages 3 or 4) (aPR = 0.68; 95%CI: 0.55-0.85). Participants more likely to initiate cancer chemo-radiotherapy early included older patients (≥ 60 years) (aPR = 2.44; 95%CI: 1.18-5.03). Patients likely to start treatment late were those who had ≥2 pre-referral visits  (aPR = 0.63; 95%CI: 0.41-0.98) and those that took 3 - 6 months with symptoms before seeking healthcare (aPR = 0.52;95%CI: 0.29 - 0.95).

CONCLUSION

Interventions to promote prompt health-seeking and early diagnosis of cervical cancer need to target primary healthcare facilities and aim to enhance capacity of primary healthcare professionals to promptly initiate diagnostic investigations. Patients aged < 60 years require targeted interventions to promote prompt initiation of chemo-radiation therapy.

Clinical and non-clinical determinants of cervical cancer mortality: A retrospective cohort study in Lagos, Nigeria

Introduction

Cervical cancer (CCa) is the fourth most frequent and a common cause of cancer mortality in women, the majority of whom live in low- and middle-income countries. Data on CCa mortality and its determinants have been poorly studied in Nigeria, resulting in a paucity of information that can assist patient management and cancer control policy.

Aim

The purpose of this study was to assess the mortality rate among CCa patients in Nigeria as well as the major factors influencing CCa mortality.

Study design

Data from the medical records of 343 CCa patients seen at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital and NSIA-LUTH Cancer Center from 2015 to 2021 were used in a retrospective cohort analysis. The hazard ratios (HR) and confidence intervals (CI) associated with the exposure variables and CCa mortality were calculated using Cox proportional hazard regression.

Results

The CCa mortality rate was 30.5 per 100 women-years after 2.2 years of median follow-up. Clinical factors such as HIV/AIDS (adjusted HR [aHR]: 11.9; 95% CI: 4.6, 30.4), advanced clinical stage (aHR: 2.7; 95% CI: 1.5, 4.7), and anemia at presentation (aHR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.1, 3.0) were associated with a higher mortality risk, as were non-clinical factors such as age at diagnosis >50 years (aHR: 1.4; 95% CI: 1.0, 1.9) and family history of CCa (aHR: 3.5; 95%CI: 1.1, 11.1).

Conclusion

CCa has a high mortality rate in Nigeria. Incorporating these clinical and non-clinical factors into CCa management and control policies may improve women's outcomes.

Determinants of Cervical Cancer Screening Among Women Aged 30-49 Years Old in Four African Countries: A Cross-Sectional Secondary Data Analysis

BACKGROUND

Early-stage cervical cancer screening is essential for providing women with a better chance of receiving effective treatment for precancerous and cancer stages. Delay in cervical cancer screening results in late presentation and cancer metastasis. National-level cervical cancer screening in resource-limited countries was scarce and not well studied in Africa based on national data specifically in Kenya, Cameroon, Nambia, and Zimbabwe.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence and determinants of cervical cancer screening among eligible women in Kenya, Cameroon, Nambia, and Zimbabwe.

METHODS

This study analyzed demographic and health survey data from Kenya, Cameroon, Nambia, and Zimbabwe. The data were extracted and analyzed by STATA version 15 and further analysis was done. Intraclass correlation coefficient, median odds ratio, and proportional change in variance were calculated to check the appropriateness of multilevel analysis. Variables with P-value < .25 were selected for multivariable multilevel logistic regression analysis. Finally, statistical significance between dependent and independent variables was assessed by odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS

The prevalence of cervical cancer screening in 4 African countries (Nambia, Kenya, Cameroon, and Zimbabwe) was 23.4 [95%CI: 22.8-24.1]. The determinants identified in this study were women of age 41-50 years [AOR = 1.47; 95% CI 1.24, 1.73], rural residence [AOR = .67; 95% CI .55, .81], women who have their own work [AOR = 1.1; 95% CI 1.0, 1.37], smoking status [AOR = 1.89; 95% CI 1.17, 3.0], age at first birth >=35 [AOR = 5.27; 95% CI 1.29-21.52], condom use [AOR = 1.79; 95% CI 1.46,2.19], husbands having worked [AOR = 1.5; 95% CI 1.08,2.11], rich household wealth [AOR = 1.43; 95% CI 1.13,1.8], and having health insurance [AOR = 2.2; 95% CI 1.8,2.7].

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of cervical cancer screening in Kenya, Cameroon, Nambia, and Zimbabwe was low as compared to World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. Age, residence, work status, smoking status, women's age at first birth, condom use, husbands having work, wealth status, and health insurance were the identified determinants of cervical cancer screening. Programme and policy interventions could address younger, rural residence women, poor wealth status women, women without work, and those who never use health insurance for the uptake of cervical cancer screening.

Human Papillomavirus: Challenges and Opportunities for the Control of Cervical Cancer

Viruses are the most abundant and genetically diverse entities on the planet, infect all life forms and have evolved with their hosts. To date, 263 viral species have been identified that infect humans, of which only seven are considered type I oncogenic. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the main virus associated with cancer and is responsible for practically all cases of cervical carcinoma. Screening tests for early detection have been available since the 1960s. Undoubtedly, the entailment between knowledge of HPV biology and the natural history of cervical cancer has contributed to the significant advances that have been made for its prevention since the 21^st century, with the development of prophylactic vaccines and improved screening strategies. Therefore, it is possible to eradicate invasive cervical cancer as a worldwide public health problem, as proposed by the WHO with the 90-70-90 initiative based on vaccination coverage, screening, and treatment, respectively. In addition, the emerging knowledge of viral biology generates opportunities that will contribute to strengthening prevention and treatment strategies in HPV-associated neoplasms.

Exploration of biomarkers for the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of cervical cancer: a review

As the fourth most diagnosed cancer, cervical cancer (CC) is one of the major causes of cancer-related mortality affecting females globally, particularly when diagnosed at advanced stage. Discoveries of CC biomarkers pave the road to precision medicine for better patient outcomes. High throughput omics technologies, characterized by big data production further accelerate the process. To date, various CC biomarkers have been discovered through the advancement in technologies. Despite, very few have successfully translated into clinical practice due to the paucity of validation through large scale clinical studies. While vast amounts of data are generated by the omics technologies, challenges arise in identifying the clinically relevant data for translational research as analyses of single-level omics approaches rarely provide causal relations. Integrative multi-omics approaches across different levels of cellular function enable better comprehension of the fundamental biology of CC by highlighting the interrelationships of the involved biomolecules and their function, aiding in identification of novel integrated biomarker profile for precision medicine. Establishment of a worldwide Early Detection Research Network (EDRN) system helps accelerating the pace of biomarker translation. To fill the research gap, we review the recent research progress on CC biomarker development from the application of high throughput omics technologies with sections covering genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics.