Histological Diagnosis and Staging of Cervical Cancer Samples Collected from Women in Dhi-Qar Province

Cervical cancer is the third most prevalent form of cancer among all types of cancer in the developing world. Adequate and improved screening programs for the detection of cervical cancer and a better understanding of its association with human papillomavirus (HPV) have decreased disease cases in developed countries. The study’s goal conducted is early detection of cervical lesions that can potentially transform into cervical cancer. Observed data demonstrate a differential prevalence of cervical cancer in women from different age groups. 37% of women affected are in the age group 43-52 years, followed by 30% of women aged 32-42 and 20% aged 63-78. Different pathological changes observed with cervical cancer include squamous cell carcinoma in the cervix, keratinization of squamous cells, nuclear polymorphism, and necrosis, with 40% and 32% of cancer cases reaching invasive stages III and IV, respectively. Only 5% of cases detected are in the noninvasive stage, stage 0, and 11% in stage II. Results from the current study also demonstrates the differential distribution of cancer stages concerning different age groups. Stage III cancer was predominantly observed in patients from the age group I, II, and III (42%, 41%, and 39%, respectively). In contrast, increased metastatic cancer or stage IV was mostly observed in women from age group IV (47%) comprising older patients. The current study also showed increased cases of cervical cancer affecting women from the Dhi- Qar governorate and its risks proportional to the age of women. Lack of access to a proper clinical test and widespread infection of HPV added to lack of vaccination, and proper treatment further enhances the cancer cases amongst the women from Dhi Qar governorate.