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Leonard Ogbonna Ajah,1,2 Chibuike Ogwuegbu Chigbu,2 Benjamin Chukwuma Ozumba,2 Theophilus Chimezie Oguanuo,2 Paul Olisaemeka Ezeonu1 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Nigeria; 2Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria Background: The association between hormonal contraception and cervical cancer is controversial. These controversies may hamper the uptake of hormonal contraceptives. Objective: To determine the association between hormonal contraceptives and cervical neoplasia. Materials and methods: This was a case-control study in which Pap-smear results of 156 participants on hormonal contraceptives were compared with those of 156 participants on no form of modern contraception. Modern contraception is defined as the use of such contraceptives as condoms, pills, injectables, intrauterine devices, implants, and female or male sterilization. Those found to have abnormal cervical smear cytology results were subjected further to colposcopy. Biopsy specimens for histology were collected from the participants with obvious cervical lesions or those with suspicious lesions on colposcopy. The results were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics at a 95% level of confidence. Results: A total of 71 (45.5%), 60 (38.5%), and 25 (16.0%) of the participants on hormonal contraceptives were using oral contraceptives, injectable contraceptives, and implants, respectively. Cervical neoplasia was significantly more common among participants who were ≥35 years old (6% versus 1%, P

Paul Olisaemeka Ezeonu,1 Leonard Ogbonna Ajah,1 Robinson Chukwudi Onoh,1 Osaheni Lucky Lawani,1 Vincent Chidi Enemuo,2 Uzoma MaryRose Agwu1 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2Department of Surgery, Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria Background: Breast cancer in pregnancy accounts for 2%–3% of all breast cancers. The increased vascularity and lymphatic drainage from the breast during pregnancy potentiate the metastatic spread of the cancer to the regional lymph nodes. However, the increased breast density in pregnancy makes it difficult to detect breast lesions early.Aim: To evaluate and compare the detection rate of breast lesions using clinical breast examination (CBE) and breast ultrasonography among pregnant women. Methodology: A cross-sectional comparative study involving antenatal clinic attendees at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, was conducted between March 3, 2014, and December 31, 2014. CBE and breast ultrasonography were done in the participants at booking and repeated at 6 weeks postpartum. Fine-needle aspiration cytology and histology were done in women with suspicious breast lesions on CBE or breast ultrasonography or both. Data analysis was both descriptive and inferential at the 95% confidence level using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 17.0. Test of significance was done using chi-square test. A P-value of less than or equal to 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 320 pregnant women participated in the study. Of these, 267 (83.4%) were aware of breast cancer. Although more lesions were detected with breast ultrasonography than by CBE, there was no statistically significant difference between them (25 versus 17; P=0.26).The histology of the lesions revealed 21 benign lesions and 4 normal breast tissues. The sensitivity of breast ultrasonography was 95.2%, while that of CBE was 66.7%. The specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were similar between CBE and breast ultrasonography. Conclusion: The detection rates of breast lesions by both CBE and breast ultrasonography were equivalent during pregnancy and 6 weeks postpartum, making CBE a convenient and very cost-effective method of detecting breast lesions in the low-risk population. However, both CBE and breast ultrasonography should be done in women with high risk of breast malignancy. Keywords: clinical breast examination, breast ultrasonography, pregnant women, breast lesion, Nigeria

LO Ajah,1,2 CO Chigbu,1 HE Onah,1 CA Iyoke,1 OL Lawani,2 PO Ezeonu2 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, 2Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Nigeria Background: Ideally, all patients with abnormal Papanicolaou smear cytology results should undergo colposcopic examination of the cervix, but low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSILs) can also be followed up with further Papanicolaou smear surveillance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of cytologic surveillance versus immediate colposcopy in women with a cervical smear diagnosis of LSIL. Methods: This was a prospective comparative study of 240 eligible consenting women consecutively grouped into cervical surveillance for 6 months versus immediate colposcopy at a ratio of 1:1. Free cervical smear cytology, colposcopy, and biopsy, as well as histology, were provided for all study participants. Results: The regression, persistence, and progression rates with 6 months of cytologic surveillance of LSIL were 46.1%, 43.4%, and 3.9%, respectively. The difference between the proportions of women who had an eventual histologic diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2+ in both groups was not statistically significant (4.9% versus 8.7%; P=0.68). The default rates among women on cytologic surveillance and immediate colposcopy were 37% and 12.5%, respectively (P=0.0002). Conclusion: Although the progression rate of LSIL is low, a high persistence rate and higher default rate from cytologic surveillance highlight the need to consider immediate referral for colposcopy, where available, for all women with a Papanicolaou smear diagnosis of LSIL in this environment. Keywords: cytologic surveillance, immediate colposcopy, low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, Enugu