ASPO Abstracts

Effects of HIV status on response to treatment for non-metastatic cervical cancer patients in Lusaka, Zambia

Authors: Trejo MJ, Kalima M, Lishimpi K, Harris RB, Mwaba CK, Chuba A, Chama E, Msadabwe SC, Jacobs E, Banda L, Soliman AS

Category: International Issues in Cancer, Cancer Health Disparities
Conference Year: 2018

Abstract Body:
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to measure any differences in cervical cancer progression between HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals in a high-risk region. BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide, with highest incidence and mortality occurring in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Zambia, the annual incidence is 58/100,000 and the mortality rate is 36.2/100,000, making it the most common cause of cancer morbidity and mortality among women. HIV is a known risk factor for cervical cancer development and, with a national adult prevalence of 16%, women in Zambia are at high risk. The Cancer Diseases Hospital (CDH) in Lusaka, Zambia is the only tertiary hospital in country that provides specialized cancer treatment; about one third of their cervical cancer patients are HIV positive. This internship sought to develop a database of cervical cancer case information and study if co-infection with HIV was associated with cancer treatment response. METHODS: This case-case study included 577 FIGO stage I and II cervical cancer patients seen at the CDH between 2008 and 2012. Abstracted data from cancer medical records included age, residence, occupation, comorbidities, cancer treatment information, and tumor response to cancer treatment. An algorithm was developed to link cancer data to the national HIV database to obtain additional information about HIV status, treatment, and compliance. RESULTS: Approximately 43% of patients were HIV positive. Of patients who completed their first cycle of radiotherapy, 27% had gross residual tumor and 20% had progressive disease that resulted in distant metastasis. There was no statistically significant difference in progression by HIV status. CONCLUSION: Future data analyses will assist in developing cancer education programs for cervical cancer patients about the importance of HIV treatment compliance in improving survivorship. Also, the results will help in professional education of oncologists for better monitoring and management of cervical cancer patients during the course of their treatment.

Keywords: Cervical Cancer HIV International