Temporal trends in the utilization of surgical pathology in the Enugu-Umuahia Axis of Nigeria

Abstract

Aim: Lessons are sought regarding the patterns of utilization of a central biopsy service by patients living in the same area but patronizing two surgeons who served them three decades apart. Methods: During the roughly 3-year periods between 9.10.71 and 25.9.71 on the one hand and between 9.10.2001 and 25.9.2004 on the other hand, two surgeons submitted biopsies from different Umuahia hospitals to a Reference Laboratory in Enugu. The accumulated data were analyzed as to the variability of the organs involved. Results: The 1970s featured 28 cases with a relatively wide scatter of organs, whereas in the 2000s the 101 cases showed mammary preponderance. Conclusion: In keeping with the world pattern, there appears to be an increasing incidence of breast cancer in Igboland. Perhaps, by keeping the eye open for a chance observation regarding health service utilization patterns, lasting light may dawn on the enigma of mammary masses.

Keywords

• patterns of utilization
• surgical pathology services
• enug-umuahia axis