Dr. Sajjad Ahmad Malik
Introduction:
A retrospective study of 500 patients from 'Rural Areas' around the city Lahore.
Pakistan has been carried out in 'Department of Radiotherapy and oncology, Mayo
Hospital. Aims and objectives the study was to find out epidemiology anddifficulties
or drawbacks, which a doctor is facing to treat cancer patients from 'Rural
Areas'.
Results:
Incidence of malignant lymph nodes and secondaries were high 385 cases (77%),
malignant changes in breast were found in 86 cases (17.2%), biopsies showed
carcinoma of skin in 35 cases (7%), 68 patients (13.6%) were suffering from
carcinoma of uterus / cervix. Carcinoma of gall bladder was discovered in 38
patients (7.6%), 36 patients were suffering from myeloid leukemia or lymphocytic
leukemia. Carcinoma of rectum / anus was discovered in 26 cases. A malignant
change in thyroid gland was found in 18 patients. 18 patients were suffering
from carcinoma of kidney. Carcinoma of lung appeared in 62 patients 12.4%. Malignant
changes in bone, colon, testis, parotid gland, liver andomentum were found in
16,16, 18, 16, 8 & 17 patients respectively. Incidence of cancer was of
lesser frequency in ovaries, stomach, appendix & urinary bladder. Sex &
age groups of patients along with clinical staging & histo-pathological
staging have been recorded. Inference: 85% cases were in stage III & IV.
Usually the patients from 'Rural Areas' come to doctor at very late stage, which
is due to illiteracy, unawareness of the disease, poverty and quacks etc.
Conclusion:
Need for health education in 'Rural Areas', awareness of the disease,
early diagnosis, prompt treatment or referrals for treatment and follow-up has
been stressed.