Background: With increasing life expectancy, there is a global increase in the prevalence of gynaecological cancer, worst among developing countries, including Nigeria. Thus, an appraisal of institutional readiness in managing these malignancies is necessary in our sub region.   

Objectives: To review prevalent gynecological cancers and regional institutional readiness to provide optimal oncological services in the South-south and South-east of Nigeria.

Material and Methods: An electronic literature search of all articles published on gynaecological oncology practice in the South-south and South-East regions of Nigeria between 1984 and 2019 was conducted using High wire, Google, Google scholar, PubMed, Hinari, Web of Science, and Springer Link. All relevant peer-reviewed articles and publications were identified, retrieved, and reviewed. A review of cancer registries and annual reports from some of the third-level hospitals in the region was conducted, supplemented by telephone interviews with practicing consultants from the various institutions. Data was collected in a pre-structured spreadsheet and analyzed with the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS 25.0).

Results: Cervical cancer (55%), ovarian cancer (20.9%), and endometrial cancer (13.7%) were the most common gynaecologic cancers. The most common age range was 40-59 years (48.8%). Half of the centres surveyed had dedicated cancer units, 25% had clinical oncologists, and a quarter had pathologists with special interest in gynaecological cancers. There was no functional magnetic resonance imaging machine in any of the centres, and only 12.5% had preventive oncology units. In half of the centres, immunochemistry and tumour markers were available. Radiotherapy (teletherapy) was available in only one (12.5%) of the epileptic centres.

Conclusion: Gynaecological oncology practice is largely suboptimal due to a lack of support facilities and personnel, as well as a lack of political will. Efforts should be intensified to identify these challenges and to proffer potential solutions that will aid in improving the health of our women.

Keywords: Gynaecological cancer, Care, Services, Challenges, South-south, South-east, Nigeria.

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Justina Omoikhefe Alegbeleye

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) Rivers State, Nigeria