A histopathological study of carcinoma of the prostate in port Harcourt, Nigeria

Objectives: To determine the incidence of prostate cancer in Port Harcourt and the surrounding towns whose residents patronize the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital for tertiary health care, histologically characterize the patterns of these cancers, and grade them according to the Gleason scheme.Materials and Methods: Blocks and slides of prostate specimens received at the Department of Anatomical Pathology, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital between January 1997 and December 2006 were retrospectively selected for this study. The slides were studied using a binocular Olympus light microscope. Patients’ age at presentation, presenting symptoms, and clinical diagnosis were sorted out from the request cards and the department’s archival register.Results: Carcinoma was diagnosed in 198 specimens (37.4%) of the 529 cases reviewed. Of these, 164 (82.8%) were clinical carcinoma (having been found in clinically suspected carcinoma cases for which trucut biopsies were undertaken), while 34 (17.2%) were incidental carcinoma cases (being found in prostatectomy biopsy cases of patients clinically diagnosed with nodular hyperplasia). All of the clinical carcinomas were adenocarcinomas predominantly moderately differentiated and of large acinar pattern. Also, all of the incidental carcinomas were adenocarcinomas predominantly well differentiated and of large acinar pattern. The Gleason scores (GSs) were varied but predominantly of high values, particularly with clinical carcinoma cases. The age range was 42 to 90 years and the mean was 70 years with a peak of 70 to 79 years.Conclusion: The incidence of prostate cancer in Port Harcourt is high relative to other Nigerian centers where similar studies have been carried out and compares well with the high incidence found among African American men. Histologically, all cases are acinar adenocarcinomas. Most patients present late with high GS carcinoma and therefore have poor prognosis. There is a need for enlightenment of the male populace on the high incidence of this deadly disease as well as for screening to reduce the number of patients presenting late and therefore improve prognosis

Blending of Nsu and Ibeku Clays: A Solution Towards the Replacement of GP 107-3 Refractory Brick in the Metallurgical Industry

This study has compared the thermo-physical properties of local content refractories produced from blends of Ibeku and Nsu Clay deposits of Nigeria with an imported clay product, GP 107-3 aluminosilicate refractories of Germany. The properties considered are apparent porosity, bulk density, linear shrinkage, cold crushing strength, refractoriness, thermal shock resistance. The results revealed that some of the blends of the Ibeku and Nsu refractory bricks produced can suitably substitute for the imported aluminosilicate refractories utilized in metallurgical and allied industries. Ibeku sample enhanced the thermo- physical properties of Nsu sample

An Estimate of the Incidence of Prostate Cancer in Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Prostate cancer (PCa) is rated the second most common cancer and sixth leading cause of cancer deaths among men globally. Reports show that African men suffer disproportionately from PCa compared to men from other parts of the world. It is still quite difficult to accurately describe the burden of PCa in Africa due to poor cancer registration systems.We systematically reviewed the literature on prostate cancer in Africa and provided a continentwide incidence rate of PCa based on available data in the regio

Histologic Analysis of Incidental Carcinomas of The Prostate Gland in Portharcourt: A 10 Year Retrospective Review.

Background: Incidental prostate cancers, i.e. cancers found in the specimens of men undergoing surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), have been regarded as non-lethal and harmless, therefore have most times , been left without treatment. However, recent studies have demonstrated otherwise, showing that there is significant mortality associated with the cancer. We determined the occurrence and evaluated the morphologic characteristics of incidental carcinomas of the prostate in a Teaching Hospital in Nigeria. Materials and methods: This was a retrospective review of prostatectomy specimens from patients clinically diagnosed of BPH between 1996 and 2005 at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. Results: Age range of patients was 52-87 years, with mean of 67.4 years and peak age group of 60-69 years. Thirty-four (10.3%) of the reviewed 331 cases were positive for incidental carcinomas. All cases were adenocarcinomas. Twelve (35.3%) were well differentiated. Gleason score 5-6 constituted the majority of the cases 18 (52.9%). Eighteen cases (52.9%) were of large acinar morphologic pattern. Conclusion: The incidence of incidental carcinomas of the prostate in our environment is significant, consequently urologists should exercise high index of suspicion while attending to patients clinically diagnosed of BPH. The overall morphologic features portend fair prognosis and contrasts with the established late presenting, and advanced clinical carcinomas with poor prognosis.Keywords: Incidental carcinoma, Prostate, Histopathology, Port Harcourt

Prostatitis in prostate specimens from patients with prostate enlargement at University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital - A histologic review

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