Pattern of Haematological Malignancies Among Adults in Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Kano, Nigeria: A Three-Year Retrospective Review

Abstract

Context

Haematological malignancies remain an important cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Understanding their local distribution is essential for effective planning, diagnosis, and management. This study evaluated the pattern of haematological malignancies among adult patients in a major tertiary hospital in Kano, Nigeria.

Aim

To retrospectively analyze the distribution of haematological malignancies among adult patients presenting to Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital (MMSH), Kano, Nigeria, between 2017 and 2020.

Setting and Design

A retrospective review of hospital records of 33 patients aged 13 years and above diagnosed with haematological malignancies at MMSH from November 2017 to December 2020.

Materials and Methods

Data extracted from case records included:

• Sociodemographic information

• Clinical presentation

• Type of haematological malignancy

• Full blood count parameters at presentation

Statistical Analysis

Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 (Windows).
Chi-square test was used to assess associations between categorical variables.
Statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05.

Results

• Gender distribution: 57% males; male-to-female ratio 1.3:1

• Mean age: 34.6 ± 14.9 years

• Types of haematological malignancies:

  • Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML): 45% (n = 15)

  • Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL): 24.2%

  • Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML): 12.1%

  • Hodgkin’s lymphoma: 12.1%

• Clinical presentation:

  • Splenomegaly: 60.6%

  • Lymph node enlargement: 24.2%

  • History of blood transfusion: 21.2%

• Laboratory findings at presentation:

  • Mean haemoglobin: 8.4 ± 2.4 g/dl

  • Median white cell count: 133.5 × 10⁹/L (IQR: 16.7–269.6)

  • Median platelet count: 258 × 10⁹/L (IQR: 81–411.5)

Conclusion

Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) was the most common haematological malignancy among adult patients presenting to MMSH, Kano, during the study period. These findings highlight the need for improved diagnostic capacity and early detection strategies for haematological cancers in the region.