Epidemiology of cancer in Antsiranana, northern Madagascar, 2021: First study in the oncology department

Introduction: In Madagascar, the heavy costs related to cancer generate a burden for the family and society. The only medical oncology service in the north of Madagascar has been operational since January 2021. Our objective was to describe the epidemiological and clinical aspects of cancers in northern Madagascar.
Patients and methods: A descriptive retrospective study from January 01, 2021 to December 31, 2021. Newly deceased patients with histological evidence were included in the study.
Results: Sixty cases of cancer were collected. The average age was 53 years old. Patients between the ages of 45 and 65 reached 53%. The sex ratio was 0.27. The Sakalava ethnic group predominated in 40% of patients. The majority (56%) lived in the city center. Gynecological cancers were the most frequent 61.5% (cervix 26.6%, breast 23.3%, uterus 8.3% and ovary 3.3%). Prostate cancer was the first cancer in men and represented 10% of our patients. No lung cancer was recorded during the study. All the anatomopathology results came from the Antananarivo laboratories. The mean time to diagnosis was 16 months. The cancer evolved in 83%. Patients requiring radiotherapy were referred to Antananarivo.
Conclusion: improving cancer care requires awareness-raising and screening. The establishment of an anatomopathology unit and bronchial fibroscopy increased the number of cancers in Antsiranana.