Abstract

Background: Gynecological cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with its prevalence and incidence varying from region to region. It’s incidence and mortality can affect women’s quality of life and increase the healthcare burden on healthcare institutions worldwide. This study aimed to determine the pattern, distribution, and trends of gynecological malignancies at the Hadhramout National Oncology Center (HNOC), Yemen, over a ten-year period.

Methods: This retrospective descriptive study was conducted in Hadhramout Governorate, eastern Yemen, and relied on data collected from the medical records of all gynecological malignancies registered at the HNOC during the study period from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2023. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20, and percentages and frequencies are presented.

Results: This study included 326 cases with histologically confirmed gynecological malignancies. The study results showed that ovarian cancer (40.2%) was the most common cancer type, followed by cervical cancer (33.4%) and uterine cancer (19.6%). Choriocarcinoma (3.7%) was the least common, followed by vaginal cancer (2.5%) and vulvar cancer (0.6%). Cervical and Choriocarcinoma cancers were most prevalent among younger women (aged 30–39 and 21–29, respectively). In the case of ovarian cancer, the majority of patients were diagnosed between the ages of 50 and 59, while uterine, vaginal, and vulvar cancers occurred in older patients (>60 years). Trends in all gynecological cancers registered at HNOC showed an increase over the study period.

Conclusion: The most common gynecological malignancies are ovarian, cervical, and uterine cancer, and the number of gynecological cancer cases registered at HNOC is increasing. There is a need to increase public awareness, especially among young women, about screening and vaccination programs.

Keywords: Gynecological Malignancies, Hadhramout Governorate, Yemen.