Adriane Kamulegeya

Introduction: Surgical management is the primary treatment for many pathological lesions of the orofacial region. Despite advances in technique and perioperative care, postoperative complications remain a major determinant of treatment outcomes. This study assessed the incidence, characteristics, and risk factors for postoperative complications among patients undergoing surgery for oral and maxillofacial tumors and tumor-like lesions in a tertiary hospital in Tanzania.Methodology: This was an analytical prospective hospital-based study carried out at the Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) between April 2022 and March 2023. It included all patients managed surgically for the tumor and tumor-like lesions involving the oral and maxillofacial region. Results: A total of 132 patients, with 29 different types of tumors and tumor-like lesions, were managed during the study period. Most procedures (56.8%) were non-ablative. Immediate, intermediate, and late post-operative complications occurred in 67.2%, 12.1%, and 10.6% of patients, respectively. Male patients had higher odds of immediate complications, whereas female patients had increased odds of late complications. Malignancy (AOR = 26.44; 95% CI 2.71–258.2; p = 0.005) and operative duration exceeding 2 hours (AOR = 6.62; 95% CI 1.26–34.88; p = 0.026) were independently associated with intermediate complications.Conclusion: Immediate post-operative complications are the most Conclusion common following head and neck surgery, while intermediate and late complications are less frequent. Patient sex influenced the development of immediate and late complications, whereas malignancy and prolonged operative duration were key predictors of intermediate post-operative complications.

Globally, Human Papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) is the predominant genotype associated with oropharyngeal cancers. However, little is known about the preva

Introduction. Low-cost interventions such as cryotherapy are not routinely practiced in sub-Saharan Africa to prevent chemotherapeutic-induced oral mucositis. We investigated the feasibility and effect of cryotherapy on oral mucositis at the Uganda Cancer Institute. Methods. This was a quasi-experimental nonequivalent research study design. We had two groups with each group meant to have 100 participants. We analyzed based on participants who underwent the protocol procedures. Results. Only cancer types were significantly different between the control and intervention groups (χ2=31.09, df =18, p=.030). Twenty percent (n=19) out of the 95, while 8.2% (n=7) out of the 85 in the control and intervention groups respectively developed moderate to severe mucositis (Mantel-Cox and Generalized Wilcoxon p= .026 and p=.031, respectively). Conclusion. The use of cryotherapy in our local setting and many sub-Saharan African countries is feasible and affordable to prevent and control chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis.

Patient-reported oral mucositis in solid tumour patients undergoing chemotherapy: a Ugandan experience Adriane Kamulegeya1, Charles Mugisha Rwenyonyi1 and

This study aimed to translate, determine the comprehensibility and examine the linguistic equivalence of a Luganda Oral Mucositis Daily Questionnaire (OMDQ MTS) among patients undergoing chemotherapy. This was a validation study design in which bilingual patients who were receiving chemotherapy at Uganda cancer institute and had experienced some sort of oral discomfort after the start of their treatment were asked to complete OMDQ MTS Luganda followed by the English version on the same visit. The tools were administered at least two hours apart and had different item order. Fifty participants accepted to take part by completing both versions of OMDQ MTS data. All item mean score differences between the two versions were less than ±0.25. The Cronbach's α for the Luganda and English versions were 0.78 and 0.86 based on standardized items while Guttman's lambada 2 and 3 were 0.89 and 0.79 respectively. A translated Luganda version of OMDQ MTS is reliable and easy to understand. Thus, it has the potential in being used to monitor mucositis among patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Background: Research on the management of complications of chemotherapy is important in facilitating the growing approaches to individualized patient management. Hence the need to document patient’s perspectives about chemotherapy-induced mucositis and the support they need from cancer care teams. Methods: We carried out a qualitative study using in-depth interviews (IDI) and focus group discussions (FGD). We collected patient’s experiences on chemotherapy-induced mucositis by conducting 5 FGD and 13 IDIs. Results: One glaring improvement that we need to make is the provision of information and counseling before, during, and after chemotherapy. Additionally, we need to explore inexpensive mucositis preventive strategies to aid our patients as they undergo treatment. Conclusion: As a country, we must move away from taking cancer patients’ needs as those of common tropical diseases. This will allow us to provide that extra help needed outside the usual diagnosis and administration of medication.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to assess the levels of awareness and knowledge about oral cancer, its causes and or risk factors among Ugandan patients seeking oral healthcare. Design/methodology/approach: This was a cross-sectional study on adult patients who attended a free dental camp. An assistant-administered questionnaire either in English or Luganda was provided to every even-numbered registered adult who consented to participate in the study. Information on demographics and known risk factors for oral cancer were captured. The two knowledge questions on oral cancers were scored by adding up all the correctly identified causes, non-causes and risk factors then scored out of the total. Data analysis was done by calculating proportions, Student’s’ t-tests and χ² tests with significant p-value set at 0.05. Findings: The results showed a low level of awareness/knowledge about oral cancer in studied population. In total, 60 percent and less than 50 percent of respondents identified smoking and alcohol use as risk factors for oral cancer, respectively. Majority of respondents (88.8 percent) would seek help from medical personnel if diagnosed with oral cancer. Screening for cancer was low despite awareness and knowledge that it improves the chances of successful treatment. Research limitations/implications: Emphasis on risk factors including alcohol use in public health messages, use of mass media, religious and community leaders to disseminate messages to the communities and further research were recommended. Practical implications: We need to emphasize the role of alcohol in oral cancer causation just as we do for tobacco consumption. Originality/value: No study has been conducted in Uganda on the level of awareness yet the incidence of the disease and use of high-risk products are rising.

The mission of the Journal of Tumor Medicine & Prevention is the swift exchange of scientific information worldwide and seeks to publish high-quality practica

Increased availability of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) has led to a change in the spectrum of neoplastic diseases affecting people living with HIV. Some cancers such as invasive cervical carcinoma and anal cancers have not changed or instead risen while others such as Kaporsi’s sarcoma have seen a sharp decline. The aim of this study was to compare clinical findings at presentation between HIV positive and Negative patients with head and neck cancers using a retrospective case control design. The study was done at the Uganda cancer Institute by performing a manual match of records in the head and neck cancer database at a ratio of 1:2 cases: controls. The matching was done on the age group, gender and diagnosis. Clinical and demographic characteristics between HIV positive and HIV negative head and neck cancer patients were compared using chi square and a multinomial model including ECOG performance score, stage, grade and duration group was run. In the multinomial regression only duration group was significant with the HIV positive patients being more likely to present after a longer duration of the symptoms than HIV negative patients (OR=0.42 CI 0.20-0.86 p=0.02). The data does not show statistically significant difference between HIV positive and HIV negative head and neck cancer patients in terms of presentation at time of diagnosis except for duration of symptoms group. This study clearly demonstrates the need for more research on head and neck cancer in Africa in the context of HIV/AIDS, since the reasons for the high HIV prevalence among this cohort of patients hasn’t been established.