Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention

Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention (아시아태평양암예방학회)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

Retrospective Appraisal of Cancer Patients from Vientiane Capital City, Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR), Seeking Treatment in Thailand

  • Published : 2013.09.30
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

Background: Recent estimates suggest that in the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) the burden of cancer in terms of DALYs lost is amongst the highest in South East Asia. As such, increasingly cancer is becoming an important public health concern in the country. Lao PDR however has no population-based cancer registry and only one hospital-based registry. Cancer treatment within the country is extremely limited. Patients who can, may travel to neighboring countries for treatment, but little information about this is available in the country. The aim of this study was to estimate some of the otherwise largely unknown parameters of the cancer burden in Lao PDR. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective, descriptive study based on the records of 847 Lao cancer cases treated with surgery, radiation and chemotherapy at Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University, in Thailand between 1988 and 2010. Results: The annual rate of registration of Lao cancer cases fluctuated, but showed an increasing trend. Most cancers were diagnosed by histology (65.2%), and a combination of endoscopy and radiology (15.6%). In most cases (70.2%) the stage of cancer at diagnosis could not be determined. In those whose stage could be identified, 54.0% were at the final stage (Stage IV). Among males, the commonest cancer sites were the liver (16.1%), blood (12.3%) and nasopharynx (10.6%). Those in female patients were the cervix (22.2%), breast (14.6%) and blood (8.1%). Conclusions: This study indicates that despite some fluctuations, the number of Lao cancer patients presenting at Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen, gradually increased between 1988 and 2010. The unfavorable pattern of late-stage cancer diagnosis among male and female patients suggests a need for cancer control interventions and the establishment of cancer registration and treatment facilities within Lao PDR.

Keywords

References

  1. Attasara P (2005). Hospital-based cancer registry 2005. Bangkok. National Cancer Institute, Department of Medical Services, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand.
  2. Cancer Registry (2009). Cancer incidence data: Sri Lanka Year 2001-2005. National Cancer Control Programme. Sri Lanka.
  3. Dans A, Ng N, Varghese C, et al (2011). The chronic noncommunicable diseases in southeast Asia: time for action. Lancet, 337, 680-9.
  4. Drain PK, Holmes KK, Hughes JP, Koutsky LA (2002). Determinants of cervical cancer rates in developing countries. Int J Cancer, 100, 199-205. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijc.10453
  5. Ferlay J, Shin HR, Bray F, et al (2010). Estimates of worldwide burden of cancer in 2008: GLOBOCAN 2008. Int J Cancer, 127, 2893-917. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijc.25516
  6. Gyorki DE, Muyco AK, Brennan AL, Murray F, Kingham TP (2012). Cancer surgery in low-income countries: an unmet need. Arch Surg, 147, 1135-40. https://doi.org/10.1001/archsurg.2012.1265
  7. Hertz RP, McDonald M, Kulig K (2005). The burden of cancer in American adults. Facts. USA
  8. IARC (2008). GLOBOCAN 2008. IARC: Lyon France.
  9. Kamnerdsupaphon P, Srisukho S, Sumitsawan Y, Lorvidhaya V, Sukthomya V (2008). Cancers in Northern Thailand. Biomed Imaging Interv J, 4, 46.
  10. Kangas B (2010). The burden of pursuing treatment abroad: three stories of medical travelers from Yemen. Global Social Policy, 10, 306-14. https://doi.org/10.1177/1468018110379990
  11. Kimman M, Norman R, Jan S, Kingston D, Woodward M (2012). The burden of cancer in member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 13, 411-20. https://doi.org/10.7314/APJCP.2012.13.2.411
  12. Lua NT, Chinh ND, Hue NT, et al (2011). Survey-based cancer mortality in the Lao PDR, 2007-2008. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 12, 2495-8.
  13. McDonald M, Hertz RP, Lowentha WP (2008). The burden of cancer in Asia. Pfizer Medical Division. Pfizer Incorporation, USA.
  14. Mutuma G, Rugutt-Korir A (2006). Cancer incidence report Nairobi 2000-2002. Nairobi Cancer Registry Kenya Medical Research Institute.
  15. National Cancer Registry Ireland (2006). Trends in Irish cancer incidence 1994-2002 with projections to 2020.
  16. Remontet L, Esteve J, Bouvier AM, et al (2003). Cancer incidence and mortality in France over the period 1978-2000. Rev Epidemiol Sante Publique, 51, 3-30.
  17. Sathian B, Bhatt CR, Jayadevan S, et al (2010). Prediction of cancer cases for a hospital in Nepal: a statistical modelling. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 11, 441-5.
  18. Sriplung H, Wiangnon S, Sontipong S, Sumitsawan Y, Martin N (2006). Cancer incidence trends in Thailand, 1989-2000. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 7, 239-44.
  19. Stevens W, Stevens G, Kolbe J, Cox B (2008). Comparison of New Zealand cancer registry data with an independent lung cancer audit. J NZ Med Assoc, 121, 1276.
  20. Tracey E, Kerr T, Dobrovic A, Currow D (2010). Cancer in NSW: incidence and mortality report 2008. Sydney: Cancer Institute NSW.
  21. Tuncer M, Moore M, Qiao LY, et al (2010). Asian Pacific Organization for Cancer Prevention. New Hope in Health Foundation.Turkey.
  22. Utah Cancer Registry and Utah Department of Health. (2012). Cancer in Utah 1981-2000.
  23. World Health Organization (WHO). (2003). Global cancer rates could increase by 50% to 15 million by 2020.
  24. World Health Rankings Live Longer Live Better (2011). Health profile Laos, 2010. World Life Expentancy.
  25. WHO/ICO (2010). HPV Information Centre. Human Papillomavi and related cancers in Laos. Summary Report 2010. Summary Report 2010.

Cited by

  1. A realist synthesis of cross-border patient movement from low and middle income countries to similar or higher income countries vol.13, pp.1, 2017, https://doi.org/10.1186/s12992-017-0287-8
  2. Role of Medicines of Unknown Identity in Adverse Drug Reaction-Related Hospitalizations in Developing Countries: Evidence from a Cross-Sectional Study in a Teaching Hospital in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic vol.40, pp.9, 2017, https://doi.org/10.1007/s40264-017-0544-z
  3. Cross-border patient movement from the Lao PDR and the interplay between social networks and economic and cultural capital: A qualitative study vol.58, pp.2, 2017, https://doi.org/10.1111/apv.12155