The Epidemiology of Leukaemia in Zimbabwe: A Ten Year Retrospective Study

Background: Haematological malignancies are defined as primary cancers of blood cells. Leukaemia constitutes more than fifty-five percent of haematological malignancies. The epidemiology of leukaemia in Zimbabwe is currently unknown. Aim: To investigate the incidence of leukaemia in Zimbabwe during a ten year period from 2004 to 2013. Objective: To understand the latest epidemiology of leukaemia in the country in order to effectively manage the disease and inform policy makers. Methods: A ten year cross sectional retrospective epidemiological study was carried out on 601 reported cases of leukaemia registered at the Zimbabwe National Cancer Registry from 1January 2004 to 31 December 2013. Results: More males (59%) had leukaemia than female (41%). Children (28%) developed leukaemia more than the adults. Chronic myelogenous leukaemia (29%) was the most common type of leukaemia, followed by acute myeloid leukaemia (24%), acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (18%), unclassified (17%) and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (12%). Harare had the highest and Matebeleland South the lowest reported cases of leukaemia. Unemployed adults had the highest incidence followed by children. Conclusion: Zimbabwe has an increasing burden of the leukaemia compared to developed countries. A high proportion of leukaemia was not classified, making it difficult to come up with reliable subtypes of the disease. More men and children were affected than women and the elderly respectively. The distribution of types of leukaemia was consistent with literature information. Unemployed people appeared to have a higher risk for developing leukaemia in Zimbabwe.