MANAGEMENT OF PROSTATE CANCER IN ACCRA, GHANA.

Introduction: Africans living with prostate cancer in Africa face problems of early diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Aim: To study the clinical incidence of prostate cancer, risk factors, TNM stage, their management and outcomes.

Methods: A prospective study of Prostate Cancer cases managed at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and hospitals in Accra, diagnosed by history, abnormal PSA/DRE, physical examination and histologically confirmed by biopsy from 2004 to 2013 was carried out.

Neoadjuvant systemic therapy in breast cancer: use and trends in radiotherapy practice.

Background: The use of neoadjuvant systemic therapy (nast) in the treatment of breast cancer is increasing, and the role of adjuvant radiation therapy (rt) in that setting is uncertain. We sought to review and report the use of nast, its trends over time, and its relationship with the prescribing patterns of locoregional rt in a provincial cancer system.

Methods: Patients with stages i-iii breast cancer diagnosed during 2007-2012 were identified using a provincial database.

Use of single- versus multiple-fraction palliative radiation therapy for bone metastases: population-based analysis of 16,898 courses in a Canadian province.

Purpose: There is abundant evidence that a single fraction (SF) of palliative radiation therapy (RT) for bone metastases is equivalent to more protracted and costly multiple fraction courses. Despite this, there is low utilization of SFRT internationally. We sought to determine the utilization of SFRT in a population-based, publicly funded health care system.

Early results of prostate cancer radiation therapy: an analysis with emphasis on research strategies to improve treatment delivery and outcomes.

Background: There is scant data regarding disease presentation and treatment response among black men living in Africa. In this study we evaluate disease presentation and early clinical outcomes among Ghanaian men with prostate cancer treated with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT).

Methods: A total of 379 men with prostate cancer were referred to the National Center for Radiotherapy, Ghana from 2003 to 2009.

Management of febrile neutropenia in patients receiving chemotherapy for solid tumors: a retrospective study of twenty cases from the radiotherapy centre, Accra, Ghana.

Background: One in ten patients on anticancer medication will develop febrile neutropenia irrespective of tumour type. There is need to protect our patients from this fatal condition while optimising chemotherapy. This may be difficult for a poor country.