Burden and Pattern of Cancer in the Sudan, 2000-2006

Abstract

Aims: The aim of this study is to determine the number of newly diagnosed cancer cases and their distribution in two cancer-care providing facilities in Sudan. Study Design: This is a retrospective descriptive study. Methodology: Data was retrieved from patients’ records that were diagnosed and treated at the Radiation Isotope Center in Khartoum (RICK) and National Cancer Institute at Wadmadani (NCI -UG) in Sudan over the period between 2000 and 2006 and then statistically analyzed. Results: A total of 26652 cancer cases were retrieved with a noticeable increase in numbers from year 2000 to 2006. The maximum cancer number was observed in 45-64 year age group in both male and female patients with a male to female ratio of 1.3:1.0. The most common cancer sites for females were: the breast (29.3%), cervix uteri (8.2%), leukemia (7.2%), ovary (6.8%), and esophagus (5.9%) and for males: were prostate (7.6%), followed by leukemia, (7.0%), NHL (6.8%), esophagus (5.4%) and bladder (4.4), while leukemia (25.2%), NHL (12.4%), lymphoma (10.8%), retinoblastoma (6.6%) and brain tumors (3.3%) dominated in younger patients (<14 years old). Conclusions: This study provided some knowledge about the cancer situation in two institutions providing cancer care in Sudan that may draw attention of policy maker and aid in formulating appropriate cancer-control strategies in the country.