Delays in presentation and management of ovarian cancer in Lagos, Nigeria

This study highlights the extent of delays in the presentation and management of ovarian cancer at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital. A total of 37 histologically confirmed epithelial ovarian cancer cases managed from January 2004 to December 2008 were analysed. The time interval between onset of symptoms and seeking healthcare, was 36.1 ± 40.8 weeks; between seeking healthcare and referral to tertiary hospital, was 22.7 ± 30.4 weeks; and the overall time interval from onset of symptoms to presentation for definitive care, was 52.0 ± 51.8 weeks. Private hospitals (35.1%) and herbal homes (21.6%) were the commonest facilities first visited. A total of 32 (86.5%) of the patients presented in stages III and IV. The overall compliance rate for recommended chemotherapy was 11.1%. Ovarian cancer in Lagos, Nigeria is characterised by patient-related delays in presentation, provider-related delays in referrals and poor compliance with recommended chemotherapy.