Radiation Therapy for Cancer Treatment in Nigeria: Inception, Slow Progress and Challenges

Abstract

The steady increase in cancer cases in the world is quite alarming, with the developing countries experiencing a disproportionate share of the rise. Recent estimates indicate that a large population of about 50-60% of cancer patients are likely to require radiotherapy at some points. This article presents an evaluation of the current radiotherapy capacity for cancer treatment in Nigeria, analyzed the present and future challenges and also the potentials and opportunities in the cancer radiotherapy. We present a comprehensive information on each radiotherapy center in Nigeria, types of procedure or instrumentation for the cancer treatment as well as the number of the machines available. Furthermore, information on personnel in each center and its training capacity have also been reported. It would be seen that Nigeria, despites its slow progress, has several radiotherapy sources of which nine (9) are brachytherapy units which include Iridium-192, colbalt-60 and Iodine-131 as well as Twelve (12) LINAC machines for cancer treatment. Additionally, the current status of radiotherapy equipment in Nigeria is compared with the years 2001, 2005 and 2010 previous statuses, revealing a slow positive progress, especially in the recent years. There is also prospective arrival of new equipment in a number of hospitals in the next one year, with advanced preparation already well in place. Despites this prospect, considering the population increase, the cancer treatment units have to be rapidly developed. The units also could require the need for sufficient professional staffing and training for capacity building.