Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39787190›Full record

ArticlePloS one2025

Cervical cancer care at a tertiary oncology facility in Uganda: Comparing daily practice with national treatment targets on cervical cancer control.

Marlieke de Fouw, Melissa W M Boere, Carolyn Nakisige, Mariam Nabwire, Jane Namugga, Israel Luutu, Jackson Orem, Jan M M van Lith, Jogchum J Beltman

Abstract readComparative Study
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Marlieke de FouwDepartment of Gynaecology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0002-4488-4886
Melissa W M BoereDepartment of Gynaecology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Carolyn NakisigeDepartment of Gynaecological Oncology, Uganda Cancer Institute, Kampala, Uganda.
Mariam NabwireDepartment of Gynaecological Oncology, Uganda Cancer Institute, Kampala, Uganda.
Jane NamuggaDepartment of Gynaecological Oncology, Uganda Cancer Institute, Kampala, Uganda.ORCID 0000-0001-5937-6203
Israel LuutuDepartment of Radiotherapy, Uganda Cancer Institute, Kampala, Uganda.
Jackson OremUganda Cancer Institute, Kampala, Uganda.
Jan M M van LithDepartment of Gynaecology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Jogchum J BeltmanDepartment of Gynaecology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveTreatment of cervical cancer patients in Uganda is hampered by late diagnosis due to the unavailability of timely screening and limited availability of advanced cancer care. This study evaluated the clinical presentation and management of cervical cancer patients presenting at the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) in Kampala, the tertiary oncology facility in Uganda with access to radiotherapy and reflected on daily clinical practice to identify priority areas for improving cervical cancer care in Uganda. PATIENTS AND

methodsWe retrospectively analyzed medical records of all cervical cancer patients presenting to UCI between January 2017 and March 2018 for sociodemographic characteristics and clinical variables with descriptive statistics. The clinical management of patients with early and advanced stage disease who initiated treatment at UCI was evaluated using the national targets formulated in the Uganda strategic plan for cervical cancer prevention and control.

resultsMedical records of 583 patients were included, representing less than 10% of the annual estimated incidence in Uganda. The majority (86%) of patients presented with advanced stage of disease. More than half of patients never initiated (31%) or interrupted (30%) treatment. The national treatment targets for surgery (10%) and palliative care (25%) were achieved for eligible patients at UCI, however, the target for chemoradiotherapy (65%) was not met.

conclusionDaily clinical practice differed from the ambitions formulated in the national treatment targets on cervical cancer control. While most women presented in advanced stage requiring chemoradiotherapy, the target was not met due to limited availability of radiotherapy. Although targets for surgery and palliative care were achieved at UCI facility level, they mask the unmet need of the majority of cervical cancer patients who never initiated or completed treatment. This demands for further expansion of oncological surgical capacity, chemotherapy and radiotherapy and warrants to focus on accessible prevention programs.

Indexed as

Uterine Cervical NeoplasmsAdultAgedFemaleHumansMiddle AgedNeoplasm StagingRetrospective StudiesTertiary Care CentersUganda

Identifiers

PMID39787190
PMCPMC11717245

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