PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Archibong, Eric I.
AU  - Sobande, Adekunle A.
AU  - Sadek, Ali A.
AU  - Ajao, Oluwole G.
AU  - Khan, Abdur R.
AU  - Fawehinmi, Olayinka
TI  - The changing pattern of malignant neoplasms among females in Asir region of Saudi Arabia
DP  - 2000 Sep 01
TA  - Saudi Medical Journal
PG  - 869--872
VI  - 21
IP  - 9
4099  - http://smj.org.sa/content/21/9/869.short
4100  - http://smj.org.sa/content/21/9/869.full
SO  - Saudi Med J2000 Sep 01; 21
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The study was undertaken to compare the frequencies of the various types of malignant neoplasms affecting females in the Asir Region of Saudi Arabia during the years 1996-1998, to the experience of a previous report (1987 to 1989) in the same population with rapid advancing health care services.METHODS: A retrospective descriptive approach was adopted. Histopathological records of Asir Central Hospital were reviewed to extract data on female malignant neoplasms seen in the years January 1996-December 1998. The cancer from various sites were ranked based on their percentage (crude relative) frequencies, and compared with the previous report (1987-1989).RESULTS: Of the 274 cases of histologically confirmed female malignant diseases, the breast (22%), skin (9%) and thyroid (7%) were the leading sites. This ranking contrasts with the previous finding (1987-1989) which involved the skin, breast and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, in descending order of frequencies. The frequency of gynecological malignancies was relatively higher than in the previous report.CONCLUSION: There may be a need to review the pattern of malignancies in the female population in this region from time to time in order to concurrently update planning on preventive and treatment measures.