Cervical cancer in Kenya and its relation to HIV infection: a study on epidemiological interactions and treatment outcome
Abstract
Invasive cervical cancer (ICC) is a leading cause of cancer related death among
women in developing countries. HIV infection is a risk factor for premalignant cervical lesions;
however, the correlation between HIV infection and ICC remains inconclusive. Equally
unknown in Kenya is the current HIV seroprevalence in patients with ICC since HIV testing
among ICC patients is not routine.
Treatment of cervical cancer even in optimal conditions is associated with local failure. Reasons
for failure include: large volume of disease, FIGO clinical stage, inability to deliver adequate
radiation doses, treatment prolongation and age of the patient. One of the common causes of
treatment prolongation is co-morbidity and acute toxicity. ill environments where HIV is
prevalent, it is likely to be a significant co-morbid condition in patients with lee. The chronic
and opportunistic infections associated with HIV infection may profoundly affect the outcome of
radiotherapytreatment for cervical cancer. There is little or no information on the impact of HIV
infection on acute morbidity and pelvic tumor control following external beam radiotherapy
(EBRT)in the African setting where both conditions are prevalent.
Fromthe foregoing, little is known about the interaction of ICe and HIV infection, in terms of
incidence, age at presentation, severity and outcome of treatment. These observations
necessitatedthe need to undertake this study.
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Broad objective: To determine the relationship between ICC and HIV infection with particular
reference to the impact of HIV infection on age at presentation, severity, proportional incidence
of lCC over time and treatment outcome.