A histopathologic review of cervical cancer in Kano, Nigeria

Background: Although cervical cancer is the most common gynecological malignancy globally, with high incidence in developing countries, there has been no formal study in our locality. We, therefore, undertook this review to document and evaluate the pattern in Kano, Northern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This is 10 years (2002–2011) retrospective study of all cervical cancers diagnosed at the Pathology Department of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano. Results: Five hundred and forty-five cervical cancers were diagnosed during the 10 years study. Patients' ages ranged from 20 to 80 years (mean 48.30 ± standard deviation 12.61 years), with highest occurrence in the fifth to seventh decade age group. Squamous carcinoma was by far the most common histological type (82.2%), distantly followed by adenocarcinoma (12.8%) and mesenchymal/mixed Mullerian malignancies comprising 0.01% (5 cases). Conclusion: Our findings were consistent with most published reports in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa but somewhat at variance with the developed world where cervical cancer is much less common and afflicts a slightly older age group

Histopathological Pattern of Testicular Lesions in Kano, Northwestern

Background: The global distribution of testicular disorders differs conforming with differences in demographic denominators. The diagnostic dictum for these disorders customarily adheres to findings at clinical assessment, relevant imaging, and laboratory evaluation. Histopathological confirmation remains the ultimate for the diagnosis of testicular malignancies and many testicular dysfunctions. The epidemiological review of the histological outcomes among Kano populace, however, is deficient. Objective: The aim of the study was to analyse histological pattern of testicular lesions in Kano, Nigeria. Methodology: The study is a 14-year retrospective review of testicular specimens subjected to histology in Kano from January 2003 to December 2016. The variables obtained were the age of patients, laterality, and histological diagnoses. These were collated and analyzed; the findings were presented as mean, patients' age range, and laterality ratio with frequency tables. Results: Three hundred and forty-three testicular tissues were assessed. The nonneoplastic lesions were 79.2% with patients' age range of 3–90 years. Atrophies and maturation arrests formed 29.4% and 18.0%, respectively. Specimens from the right were more with a ratio of 1.6:1. Neoplastic lesions were 3.5% and patients' age range from 3 to 65 years. Seminomas were the predominant neoplastic lesion and constituted 66.7%. The right testes were more commonly affected and have a ratio of 1.4:1. Conclusion: This appraisal affirms that testicular lesions could be found across a wide age range and majorities are nonneoplastic. The findings in this study concur with the published African and Asian conclusions

Autopsy and religion: A review of the literature

In spite of immense benefits derivable from carrying out autopsy on the dead, its practice has been very limited in northern Nigeria. One of the reasons for this is the perception that religion opposes the practice of autopsy. Using online search engines and religious doctrinal literature including the Qur'an, Bible and Talmud, a review of their teachings regarding autopsies was conducted. Findings were then harmonized with the practice of autopsy in its present form. Available literature reveals that the religious impediments include the permissibility or otherwise of the procedure, timing, opposite sexes seeing the corpse's nakedness, body mutilation, exhumation of the dead and retention of organs or tissues for teaching purposes. This study concludes that no religion expressly condemns the practice of autopsying the dead, and that the meeting points for various religions and the practice of autopsy is the need for learning and dispensation of justice. However, there is also a common agreement on the need for the procedure to be done promptly and to maintain the dignity of the dead during the procedure