Journal

Journal of Nepal Medical Association

Papers (21)

Prevalence of Cervical Cancer among Cervical Biopsies in a Tertiary Care Center

Introduction: Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancer among the female population inNepal. The incidence and mortality rate due to cervical cancer is higher in developing countrieslike Nepal due to a lack of proper screening and early diagnosis. This study aims to find out theprevalence of cervical cancer among cervical biopsies in a tertiary care center.
 Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among the hospital records of cervicalbiopsies from the department of pathology of Shree Birendra Hospital from 1st May 2018 to 30thApril 2019. Ethical approval was taken from the Institutional Review Committee in February 2020.This study was conducted among 146 cervical biopsies by using convenience sampling method.Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion forbinary data. Data were analyzed using excel 2016 software.
 Results: The prevalence of cervical cancer among 146 cases included in our study is found to be6 (4.11%) at 95% Confidence Interval (0.90-7.32). Among those cases of cervical cancer, 4 (66.67%)were squamous cell carcinoma, 1 (16.67%) was adenocarcinoma, and 1 (16.67%) was of other type.Maximum cases of cervical cancer were prevalent among higher age groups.
 Conclusions: Cervical cancer-related morbidity and mortality are different in different parts ofthe world. It’s burden is primarily seen in developing countries where there is a lack of effectivescreening programs.

Immunohistochemical Expression of P16 in Cervical Lesions: An Observational Study

Introduction: Cervical cancer is the leading cancer and the predominant cause of cancer-associated deaths among women worldwide. Human papillomavirus infection is the foremost cause of cervical cancer. P16 tumor suppressor protein is overexpressed in high-risk HPV infected cells. This has led to the development of P16 as a reliable predictive biomarker to identify women with cervical dysplasia who are at risk of progressing to high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and invasive cancer. The study aimed to determine the expression pattern of P16 in lesions of the cervix. Methods: This observational study was conducted at Paropakar Maternity and Women’s Hospital, Nepal, from June 2025 to August 2025. All patients who visited the Gynecology outpatient department for abnormal cervical screening were included in the study. An immunohistochemistry test for P16 was performed in histologically confirmed pre-invasive and invasive lesions. Results: Of 88 cervical biopsies, 34 (38.63%) lesions were preinvasive, and 20 (22.72%) lesions were invasive. P16 immunohistochemistry was performed in 52 (59.09%) histologically confirmed dysplastic and invasive cervical lesions. Among 52 dysplastic lesions, 37 (71.15%) cases were P16- positive. Out of 37 P16-positive cases, 17 (45.95%) were preinvasive and 20 (54.05%) were invasive lesions. In pre-invasive group, 1 (10 %) were CIN1 lesion, 2 (28.57%) CIN II lesions, and 14 (93.33%) CIN III lesions were P16 positive, and among 20 invasive lesions, 20 (100%) were P16 positive. Conclusions: P16 expression was found to increase with the severity of cervical dysplasia and was positive in all invasive cervical cancer cases.

Cervical Cancer Screening Services in Nepal: A Descriptive Crosssectional Study

Introduction: Cervical cancer, the most prevalent cancer among women, is also the primary cause of cancer-related deaths in reproductive age women in Nepal. The study aims to assess the situation of cervical cancer screening services in Nepal.Methods: This cross-sectional study used quantitative methods to understand the situation of cervical cancer screening in 572 health facilities of Nepal. The research was conducted to assess screening facilities, the allocation of separate screening rooms, the availability of screening services on a routine basis throughout the week, screening facilities that are free of charge, human resources, and the availability of treatment. It was conducted in October to December 2022. Results: The research was carried out among 572 healthcare facilities, out of which 134 (23.42%) had provision for cervical cancer screening services. Ethical approval was obtained from the Nepal Health Research Council (NHRC) under reference number 397/2022 P. Amongst those 134, 72 (53.73%) healthcare facilities had assigned separate rooms for screening intentions. One hundred andtwo (76.12%) healthcare facilities provided regular screening services throughout the week, while 112 (83.58 %) had free-of-charge  screening services. Concerning trained personnel, 121 (90.30%) health facilities had personnel trained in visual inspection with Acetic acid, 9 (6.72%) had personnel trained in use of colposcopy, and 5 (3.73%) had personnel trained in use of Loop ElectrosurgicalExcision Procedure (LEEP). Lastly, 31 (23.13%) healthcare facilities offered treatment choices for cervical cancer. Conclusions: Most of the health care facilities did not have provision of cervical screening. Amongstthose who had the provision, personnel trained in loop electrosurgical excision procedure colposcopy.

Cervical Papanicolaou Smear Test Screening among Patients Visiting the Outpatient Department of Gynaecology of a Tertiary Care Centre

Introduction: Carcinoma cervix is the second most common cause of death in women worldwide and the most common cause in developing countries. Cervical cancer is considered a preventable gynaecological problem as it has a long premalignant stage which can be detected by exfoliative cytology like papanicolaou smear test. The papanicolaou smear test is a simple, safe, non-invasive, and low-cost effective method for screening cervical cancer in developing countries like Nepal. The aim of the study was to find out the prevalence of cervical papanicolaou smear test screening among patients visiting the Outpatient Department of Gynaecology of a tertiary care centre. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among patients visiting the Department of Gynaecology of a tertiary care centre after obtaining ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee. Data from 14 April 2021 to 22 October 2022 were collected between 11 May 2023 to 26 May 2023 from the hospital records. Papanicolaou smear tests among the age group of 21 years up to 70 years were included in the study. Convenience sampling method was used. The point estimate was calculated at a 95% Confidence Interval. Results: Among 11,173 patients, papanicolaou smear test was done in 572 (5.12%) (4.71-5.53, 95% Confidence Interval). Negative for intraepithelial lesion was the most common cytological pattern seen in 518 (90.55%) patients. The low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion was the most common among abnormal epithelial cells seen in 29 (5.07%). Conclusions: The prevalence of cervical papanicolaou smear test among patients visiting the Outpatient Department of Gynaecology was found to be similar to other studies done in similar settings.

Knowledge of Cervical Cancer Screening and Prevention by Human Papillomavirus Deoxyribonucleic Acid and Human Papillomavirus Vaccination among Women Attending a Tertiary Care Centre

Introduction: Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among women globally as well as in Nepal. It is attributable to persistent infection by high-risk human papillomavirus, especially human papillomavirus-16 and human papillomavirus-18. The aim of this study was to find out the knowledge of cervical cancer screening and prevention by human papillomavirus deoxyribonucleic acid and human papillomavirus vaccination among women attending a tertiary care centre. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in patients attending the outpatient Department of Gynaecology in a tertiary care centre from 18 March to 30 April 2023. After calculating sample size and taking a convenience sampling a survey questionnaire on knowledge of Cervical Cancer Screening and Prevention by Human Papillomavirus Deoxyribonucleic Acid and Human Papillomavirus Vaccination was collected. The point estimate was calculated at a 95% confidence interval. Results: Among 508 women, 42 (8.25%) (5.86-10.64, 95% Confidence Interval) had knowledge of cervical cancer screening and prevention by human papillomavirus deoxyribonucleic acid and human papillomavirus vaccination. According to the questionnaires with a total sample of 508, 164 (32.28%) know about cervical cancer, 15 (2.95%) know about HPV infection, 14 (2.76%) know about HPV infection causes cervical cancer, and 21 (4.13%) know about HPV transmitted through multiple sex partners. Conclusions: The knowledge of cervical cancer screening and prevention by human papillomavirus deoxyribonucleic acid and human papillomavirus vaccination among women is very low. This study recommends having a health education and awareness programme on it to increase knowledge.

Late Stage Cervical Cancer among Confirmed Cervical Cancer Cases in a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Cervical cancer is the leading gynaecological cancer in Nepal. Most of the time, it is diagnosed in the late stage with its associated morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to find out the prevalence of late-stage presentation of cervical cancer among confirmed cases of cervical cancer in a tertiary care centre. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care centre of Nepal from March 2021 to May 2021 after obtaining ethical clearance from the Institutional Review Board (Reference no.805). A convenient sampling method was used. A descriptive analysis was done of all cases of cervical cancer who were diagnosed within the last 36 months and attended hospital during the study period. The information was collected by interview and hospital record was checked. Analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data. Results: Among the 142 confirmed cervical cancer cases, the prevalence of late-stage presentation of cervical cancer was 93 (65.5%) (57.7-73.3 at 95% Confidence Interval). The mean age at diagnosis was 50.6±10.9 years. More than two-thirds of the women were from outside Kathmandu valley 102 (71.8%) and came from >50km distance. The majority of the women 83 (58.5%) were illiterate. Conclusions: The study showed that two-thirds of the women presented in advanced stage and the factors leading to the late stage. This highlights the fact, that the focus should be on the provision of organized screening programs and early diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer.

Study of Histomorphological Patterns of Uterine Leiomyomas: An Observational Study

Introduction: Uterine leiomyoma, also known as a fibroid, is a benign mesenchymal tumor derived from the smooth muscle of the uterus. It is the most common tumor in women with an estimated incidence of 20%-40% in women during their reproductive years. Leiomyoma can occur in any organ, but the most common forms appear in the uterus. This study is conducted to analyze histomorphological patterns of uterine leiomyomas.Methods: An observational cross-section was conducted between 1st June 2021 and 31st May 2023 in the Department of Pathology of a Medical College and Teaching Hospital. Patients with leiomyoma were included in the study. Clinical, sonographic, gross, and histopathology findings were analyzed. Ethical approval for the study was obtained from Institutional Review Committee (Reference Number: LMC10/B-021).Results: There were 100 patients with leiomyoma during the study period, among whom 55 (55%) were 40-49 years old. There were 65 (65%) patients in the group with a parity of two to three. Abnormal uterine bleeding was observed in 60 (60%) of the cases. Histologically 84 (84%) of the cases were simple conventional leiomyoma. The co-existing conditions found were cystic ovarian disease 37 (37%), adenomyosis 19 (19%), and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 12 (12%).Conclusions: Conventional leiomyoma is the commonest histological subtype and and the most common clinical presentation is abnormal uterine bleeding.

Cervical Intraepithelial Lesions in Women with Persistent Inflammatory Smear on Pap Smear: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Persistent inflammatory smear is a benign finding on pap test but is associated with premalignant lesion of the cervix. Further evaluation is therefore necessary. This study was done to determine the prevalence of cervical intraepithelial lesions in women with persistent inflammatory smear. Methods: This is descriptive observational study conducted in Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of tertiary care centre of Nepal from 15th May 2020 to 14th May 2021 after obtaining ethical clearance from Institutional Review Board (Reference no MEMG/IRC/338/GA). Women with two consecutive pap smear reports showing inflammatory findings were enrolled. Colposcopy was performed and Modified Reid’s colposcopic index was used to grade the lesions. Colposcopic guided biopsy was taken and tissue sent for histopathology for abnormal colposcopic lesions. Data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 21 and frequency and percentages were used to present data. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data. Results: Among 115 women, 57 (49.5%) at 95% Confidence Interval (40.37-58.63) had Cervical Intraepithelial lesions. Among them 48 (41.7%) had low grade intraepithelial lesions and 9 (7.8%) had high grade lesions on colposcopy. Conclusions: The prevalence of cervical intraepithelial lesions in women with persistent inflammatory smear on pap was higher in our study compared to other studies.

Publisher

Journal of Nepal Medical Association (JNMA)

ISSN

1815-672X