Prevalence and predictors of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy among female breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in Lagos.

Background: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a major side effect associated with chemotherapy. It can lead to detrimental dose reductions and discontinuation of treatment because of its significant effect, which impairs the quality of life among the surviving population of cancer patients. This study assesses the prevalence and predictors of CIPN among female breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital and Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH and LASUTH), respectively.

Development and implementation of a 3d-HDR brachytherapy program for cervical cancer in a sub-Saharan African centre.

Background: Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in Nigeria where, the gap between need for, and access to, radiation therapy including brachytherapy is significant. This report documents the implementation of the first three-dimensional high-dose-rate (3D-HDR) brachytherapy service for cervical cancer in Nigeria.

Purpose: This report details the steps taken to implement the 3D-HDR brachytherapy program, the challenges faced, and the adaptive strategies employed to overcome them.

Presentation and Management of Orbito-Ocular Malignancies in a Tertiary Institution in Southwest Nigeria.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to review the management of orbito-ocular malignancies in the Departments of Radiotherapy and Ophthalmology, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, between January 1997 and December 2011 in comparison to previous and recent studies globally.

Materials And Methods: This was a retrospective study of orbito-ocular malignancies seen at the Departments of Radiotherapy and Ophthalmology, Lagos University Teaching Hospital from 1997 to 2011. Case files and treatment cards were retrieved through the Medical Records department and the information required was extracted with the aid of a data extraction form.

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.

A Dosimetric Comparison of Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy and Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy in Patients Treated with Post-Mastectomy Radiotherapy.

Objective: Radiotherapy continues to play an important role in the management of breast cancer. This study compared the dosimetric differences between the techniques of intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) in breast cancer patients who had radiotherapy after mastectomy.

Materials And Methods: Forty post-mastectomy patients (19 right-sided breast and 21 left-sided breast) treated with the IMRT technique using 7-9 fields who were re-planned with VMAT using 2 coplanar arc on the Varian Vital beam linear accelerator between January, 2020 and August, 2021 were included in this study.

Implementing Patient-Directed Cancer Education Materials Across Nigeria.

Purpose: As access to cancer care expands in low-income countries, developing tools to educate patients is paramount. We took a picture booklet, which was initially developed by the nonprofit Global Oncology for Malawi and Rwanda, and adapted it for use in Nigeria. The primary goal was to assess acceptability and provide education.

Distribution of Breast Cancer Subtypes Among Nigerian Women and Correlation to the Risk Factors and Clinicopathological Characteristics.

Background: Breast cancer in African women differs from the Caucasian. Understanding the profile of Nigerian women with breast cancer will help with preventive measures and treatment. This study focused on the clinico-pathological characteristics, with risk factors of breast cancer patients in Nigeria.

Formal Assessment of Teamwork Among Cancer Health Care Professionals in Three Large Tertiary Centers in Nigeria.

Purpose: There are strategies to bring quality cancer care to underserved patients, but poor use of the principles of teamwork is a major barrier to achieving quality services. The intent of this study was to assess teamwork as perceived by health care workers caring for patients with cancer.

Methods: We conducted a survey among health care professionals in cancer care at 3 tertiary centers in southwestern Nigeria from July to November 2016.

An Assessment of the Correlation between Tests of Clinical Competence and Tests of Cognitive Knowledge amongst Nigerian Resident Doctors in Surgery.

Background: Assessment of clinical competence involves the assessment of cognition and assessment of clinical performance (behaviour in practice). The limitations of the traditional long case examination (LCE) in the assessment of clinical performance led to its replacement with the objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) by many institutions.

Aims: To determine and compare the abilities of the OSCE and LCE to predict candidates' performance in the tests of cognitive knowledge in the fellowship examination of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria in the Faculty of Surgery.

Prevalence and Correlates of Unmet Supportive Needs of Nigerian Patients With Cancer.

Purpose: Diagnosis and treatment of cancer are associated with significant psychological distress, and patients face a broad range of challenges that create a vacuum of unmet needs felt by patients, such as a loss of personal control and frustration. The aim of the current study was to determine the magnitude, distribution, and correlates of unmet needs in Nigerian patients with cancer.

Patients And Methods: Using a descriptive cross-sectional approach, we assessed 205 patients with cancer who attended oncology outpatient clinics at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital.

The pattern of comorbidities in cancer patients in Lagos, South-Western Nigeria.

Purpose: Comorbidities have been indicated to influence cancer care and outcome, with strong associations between the presence of comorbidities and patient survival. The objective of this study is to determine the magnitude and pattern of comorbidities in Nigerian cancer populations, and demonstrate the use of comorbidity indices in predicting mortality/survival rates of cancer patients.

Methods: Using a retrospective study design, data were extracted from hospital reports of patients presenting for oncology care between January 2015 and December 2016 at two tertiary health facilities in Lagos, Nigeria.

Child's symptom burden and depressive symptoms among caregivers of children with cancers: an argument for early integration of pediatric palliative care.

Background: Childhood cancers evoke various emotional reactions in caregivers which can impair their well-being and roles. Little is known about caregiving and which cancer-associated factors are related to caregiver's depression in resource-restricted settings. We sought to investigate if child's symptom burden is related to depressive symptoms in caregivers.

Treatment of cancer in sub-Saharan Africa.

Cancer is rapidly becoming a public health crisis in low-income and middle-income countries. In sub-Saharan Africa, patients often present with advanced disease. Little health-care infrastructure exists, and few personnel are available for the care of patients.