ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: In Tanzania, cancer of cervix is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. There are very little data about survival of patients with cervical cancer after treatment in Tanzania. The aims of this study were to determine 5-year overall survival (OS) rate and its predictors among patients with cervical cancer treated at Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI) from January to December 2012. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was retrospective study done at ORCI by reviewing medical charts of 202 patients with cervical cancer treated at ORCI from January to December 2012. A structured questionnaire was used to extract information about characteristics of the respondents. Survival curves were estimated by using Kaplan-Meir analysis and were compared by using log-rank test. RESULTS: The 5-year OS rate was 26%. The mean and median survival times were 33.9 and 19 months, respectively. Factors that were positively associated with 5-year OS rate include the hemoglobin level more than 9 g/dL at presentation, early International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage at presentation, high dose of radiotherapy, and use of concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Histology type and HIV status were not associated with survival. CONCLUSION: The 5-year overall survival rate was 26%. Predictors of OS were hemoglobin level, stage at presentation, radiotherapy dose, and the use of concurrent chemoradiotherapy.
