Objective:

To describe the distribution of cancers diagnosed at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, from 2015 to 2024, and to assess the completeness of pathology reporting for selected cancers, highlighting its significance in addressing Kenya's rising cancer burden.

Key Findings:

• Cancer incidence in Kenya is rising, with 44,726 new cases reported in 2022, representing a significant increase from previous years.
• Pathology-based registries provide critical data for cancer surveillance in contexts lacking population-based registries, with a noted increase in reported cases.
• The completeness of pathology reports is essential for accurate staging and treatment planning, with identified gaps in reporting that need addressing.

Interpretation:

The study highlights the importance of pathology-based registries in Kenya for understanding cancer distribution and improving reporting completeness, which is vital for effective cancer control strategies and resource allocation.

Limitations:

• Data limited to a single tertiary referral center, potentially affecting generalizability to the broader population.
• Exclusion of inconclusive or preliminary diagnoses may underestimate cancer incidence, and potential biases in data collection should be acknowledged.

Conclusion:

This study provides baseline evidence to complement population-based registries and inform national cancer control planning in Kenya, emphasizing the need for improved data collection and reporting practices.