Journal of Cancer and Tumor International

Epidemiological Data Gaps in Breast Cancer Research in Cameroon: A Meta-analysis

Thu, 28 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Breast cancer is the leading malignancy among women in Cameroon, yet national decision-making still relies heavily on international estimates, isolated hospital series and incompletely documented registries. This limitation weakens the interpretation of incidence, prevalence, mortality, survival and treatment indicators, and may delay evidence-based cancer control planning. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize the published evidence on breast cancer in Cameroon, quantify key epidemiological and clinical outcomes, and identify methodological gaps that compromise national comparability.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies reporting breast cancer data from Cameroon between 1 January 2000 and 30 April 2025. MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar and the WHO Global Health Library were searched without language restriction. Eligible designs included cohort, cross-sectional, case-control and retrospective hospital-based studies reporting at least one of the following outcomes: prevalence, incidence, mortality, five-year survival, clinical stage, histological profile, immunohistochemistry or treatment patterns. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Pooled proportions were estimated using random-effects models after Freeman-Tukey double-arcsine transformation, with heterogeneity quantified using Cochran's Q and I2 statistics.

Results: Fifty-six studies including 41,494 breast cancer patients were retained. The mean age was 45.97 ± 5.53 years, and women represented 96.3% of reported cases. Breast cancer accounted for a pooled 32% of female cancers (95% confidence interval [CI]: 14%-57%; I2=97%). The pooled mortality proportion was 72% (95% CI: 6%-99%; I²=97.7%), while pooled five-year overall survival was 36% (95% CI: 26%-47%; I2=92.2%). Most patients were diagnosed at advanced stages, with stage III and IV disease accounting for the majority of reported cases. Ductal carcinoma was the dominant histology. Hormone receptor positivity was frequent (estrogen receptor: 82%; progesterone receptor: 56%), whereas HER2 overexpression was less frequently reported (14%). Treatment reporting was incomplete: chemotherapy and radiotherapy were commonly documented, but endocrine therapy and palliative care were substantially underreported.

Conclusion: Published breast cancer research from Cameroon indicates a severe clinical burden marked by late diagnosis, high mortality and poor five-year survival. However, the extreme heterogeneity and inconsistent reporting across studies show that the country's breast cancer evidence base remains structurally fragile. Standardized cancer registration, harmonized minimum datasets, routine immunohistochemistry, active survival follow-up and transparent treatment documentation are urgently needed to support effective breast cancer control in Cameroon.

The Peritoneal Paradox: Deciphering the Conflicting Evidence for HIPEC in Primary Versus Recurrent Ovarian Cancer

Swarnava Chanda, Abdul Quadir Rahmani, Dhairya Gupta — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Advanced-stage ovarian cancer is characterized by high mortality and frequent peritoneal recurrence. “Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy” (HIPEC), which delivers heated chemotherapeutic agents directly into the peritoneal cavity following cytoreductive surgery (CRS), aims to enhance local cytotoxicity against microscopic residual disease. A comprehensive Boolean search was conducted using PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar, Embase and Scopus to identify relevant studies on the use of HIPEC for primary and recurrent ovarian cancer. Evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) indicates that HIPEC significantly improves overall survival (OS) in primary advanced-stage disease, specifically when administered during interval debulking surgery (IDS) following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). Conversely, its role in primary debulking and recurrent settings remains controversial. While some trials show benefits, others, including the HORSE trial, found no significant difference in OS. Furthermore, HIPEC is associated with increased morbidity, including longer operative times and a higher incidence of grade 3-5 adverse events. Consequently, current guidelines primarily recommend HIPEC as an option for stage III patients during IDS. While a promising advance, further research is required to standardize protocols and optimize patient selection.

Extent of Resection and Survival in Glioblastoma: Clinical and Pathological Correlates: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Fri, 29 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Glioblastoma is the most aggressive primary malignant brain tumor in adults and is associated with poor prognosis despite advances in surgical and adjuvant therapies. Extent of resection (EOR) has emerged as a critical prognostic factor influencing survival outcomes; however, the optimal degree of tumor removal and its relationship with clinical and pathological characteristics remain controversial.

Objective: To systematically evaluate the impact of extent of resection on overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with glioblastoma and to assess associated clinical and pathological correlates.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for eligible studies published from 2000 to 2026. Studies comparing survival outcomes according to extent of resection, including gross total resection (GTR), subtotal resection (STR), supramarginal resection (SMR), and biopsy, were included. Data extraction and quality assessment were independently performed by two reviewers. Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random-effects models, and heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic.

Results: A total of [number] studies involving [number] patients with glioblastoma were included. Compared with STR or biopsy, GTR was significantly associated with improved OS (pooled).

Secondary Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura Presenting as Severe Epistaxis Associated with Maxillary Sinus Malignancy: A Case Report

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an acquired autoimmune disorder characterised by isolated thrombocytopenia (platelet count <100 × 10⁹/L) and bleeding manifestations. While primary ITP is common, secondary ITP associated with solid organ malignancies is a rare and challenging clinical overlap. A 25-year-old male with a known history of immune thrombocytopenic purpura presented with severe recurrent epistaxis associated with facial swelling. Evaluation revealed thrombocytopenia without abnormalities in coagulation parameters, consistent with ITP. Due to persistent bleeding and atypical local symptoms. Imaging of the paranasal sinuses revealed a mass lesion involving the maxillary sinus, and histopathological examination confirmed malignancy. Early recognition of secondary causes of ITP can significantly influence treatment strategy and prognosis. This case emphasises the necessity of investigating secondary causes of thrombocytopenia when patients present with atypical local symptom that severe epistaxis may represent the initial manifestation of a complex interaction between haematological and malignant processes.