Prevalence, Histopathological Spectrum, and Clinicopathological Characteristics of Soft Tissue Sarcomas in Cameroon: A Fifteen-Year Retrospective Cancer Registry Study

Abstract

Background: Soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) are a heterogeneous group of rare malignant mesenchymal neoplasms comprising approximately 1% of all adult cancers.1–3 Their marked histological diversity, variable anatomical presentation, and nonspecific clinical features frequently contribute to delayed diagnosis and suboptimal management, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where population-based epidemiological data remain limited.1–4 In Cameroon, comprehensive information describing the burden and pathological characteristics of STSs is scarce. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and clinicopathological characteristics of soft tissue sarcomas using data from the Yaoundé Cancer Registry over a fifteen-year period. Method: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted using data extracted from the Yaoundé Cancer Registry between 2005 and 2020. All histologically confirmed soft tissue sarcoma cases recorded during the study period were included. Demographic variables, histopathological subtype, anatomical site, diagnostic method, and extent of disease at diagnosis were extracted using a standardized data collection tool. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize patient and tumor characteristics. Results: Among 12,386 registered cancer cases, 217 were diagnosed as soft tissue sarcomas, corresponding to a prevalence of 1.7%. Seventeen histopathological subtypes were identified. Rhabdomyosarcoma was the most common subtype (23.5%), followed by Kaposi sarcoma (16.6%) and fibrosarcoma (14.7%). Carcinosarcoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumor, and invasive cystosarcoma phyllodes each accounted for 0.5% of cases. The lower extremities and hip region represented the most frequent anatomical site of disease, whereas retroperitoneal tumors were uncommon. Most patients presented with localized disease (32.3%) at diagnosis, and males were more frequently affected than females. Conclusions: Soft tissue sarcomas remain uncommon in Cameroon but exhibit considerable histopathological diversity. Rhabdomyosarcoma and Kaposi sarcoma constitute the predominant subtypes, while the lower extremities are the most frequently affected anatomical location. These findings provide important baseline epidemiological data for Cameroon and underscore the need for improved diagnostic capacity, multidisciplinary sarcoma management, and strengthened national cancer surveillance to facilitate earlier diagnosis and optimize patient outcomes.

Keywords: Soft Tissue Sarcomas; Prevalence; Pathological Characteristics; Cameroon.