A review of urinary bladder cancers at the Kenyatta National Hospital over 8 years Period January 1976-June 1984.

Abstract

A review of carcinomas of the bladder seen at Kenyatta National Hospital Hospital covering a period of 8 years (January, 1977 -June 1984) was undertaken . 113 patients ware documented as having urinary bladder carcinomas, but only 75 cases were selected according to criteria used by the author. Total numbers of malignancies reported over this period was 14,495, hence the ratio of urinary bladder was found to be 0.75. Males predominated over females by 4 times. The age peaks were overall at 6th and 7th decades though males were in 5th and 7th decades while females were at 6th decade. There was no clear cut aetiological agents although postulates are presented, 81.3% of patients presented with haemoturia , 65.3% of patients presented with irritative bladder symptoms, whiIe 41.3% presented with bladder outlet obstruction. The frequently seen histological variant of neoplasms were transitional cell carcinomas of all grade and/or stages, followed by . anaplastic and then by squamous cell carcinoma. Bladder pheochromocytor as well as embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma were also encountered. Squamous cell carcinoma was frequently seen to be associated with S.haematobium in endemic areas, Coast and Lake regions. Clinical, radiological cal, endoscopic examinations as well as biopsy and histology were used frequently as the diagnostic tools. A total of 32 patients underwent surgical intervention while 31 patients had non surgical intervention in form of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. 12 patients did not have any treatment offered as some refused treatment and some died before treatment could be instituted. Those that had surgical/nonsurgical Intervention were 63 in all, 24 were recorded as alive and 20 as dead.