Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - National Cancer Institute - Department of Cancer Biology

Background: Early diagnosis and treatment of gynecological malignancies is a goal for achieving better outcome, less intensive surgery and better survival. Patients with ovarian, endometrial or cervix uteri cancers often have delayed presentation.Purpose: to describe length and components of diagnostic delay in ovarian, endometrial and cervical cancer patients to achieve better outcome.Tools and methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted at National Cancer Institute (NCI), Cairo University (CU) to assess diagnostic delay in 90 gynecological cancer patients. Personal interviews were conducted to collect the relevant data.Results: Median patient delay was 5.5 months while doctor delay had a median of 7.6 months in all patients. System delay at NCI was the least frequent with median of 6.4 months. Median of diagnostic delay was 6 months in 56.7% of all patients.Total delay was found in 75.6% of all patients with a median of 9.7 months.Median patient, doctor, diagnostic and total delay was the longest in endometrial cancer patients while system delay was the longest in ovarian cancer patients.Conclusion: Delay was found in the whole diagnostic pathway of the patient so interventions to Reduce delays need to be established

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