title: The changing pattern of malignant neoplasms among females in Asir region of Saudi Arabia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study was undertaken to compare the frequencies of the various types of malignant neoplasms affecting females in the Asir Region of Saudi Arabia during the years 1996-1998, to the experience of a previous report (1987 to 1989) in the same population with rapid advancing health care services.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective descriptive approach was adopted. Histopathological records of Asir Central Hospital were reviewed to extract data on female malignant neoplasms seen in the years January 1996-December 1998. The cancer from various sites were ranked based on their percentage (crude relative) frequencies, and compared with the previous report (1987-1989).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 274 cases of histologically confirmed female malignant diseases, the breast (22%), skin (9%) and thyroid (7%) were the leading sites. This ranking contrasts with the previous finding (1987-1989) which involved the skin, breast and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, in descending order of frequencies. The frequency of gynecological malignancies was relatively higher than in the previous report.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There may be a need to review the pattern of malignancies in the female population in this region from time to time in order to concurrently update planning on preventive and treatment measures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Abha Maternity Hospital, PO Box 1650, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: E I
authors.initials: EI
authors.lastname: Archibong
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Sobande
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Sadek
authors.forename: O G
authors.initials: OG
authors.lastname: Ajao
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Fawehinmi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology