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African Health Sciences
Makerere University Medical School
ISSN: 1680-6905 EISSN: 1680-6905
Vol. 11, No. 2, 2011, pp. 279 - 284
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Bioline Code: hs11043
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge
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African Health Sciences, Vol. 11, No. 2, 2011, pp. 279 - 284
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Metastatic breast cancer in a Nigerian tertiary hospital
Adisa, A.O.; Arowolo, O.A.; Akinkuolie, A.A.; Titiloye, N.A.; Alatise, O.I.; Lawal, O.O. & Adesunkanmi, A.R.K.
Abstract
Background: Late presentation of breast carcinoma is common in resource-limited countries with attendant poor outcome.
Objective: To describe the pattern of clinical presentation and challenges of treating patients presenting with metastatic breast carcinoma in a Nigerian hospital.
Method: Clinical records of all patients who presented with metastatic breast carcinoma between January 1991 and December 2005 at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria were reviewed.
Results: More than half of all histologically confirmed breast cancer patients seen within the study period presented with metastatic disease. Their ages ranged between 20-81years with a mean age of 45.9 years. Only 3% (6 of 202) were males. Two-thirds had more than one secondary site on initial evaluation and the commonest sites were liver (63%), lung parenchyma (51%), pleura (26%) and contralateral breast in 25%. On immunohistochemistry, basal like tumours were found in 46.1%. Mastectomy was done in 37 patients with fungating breast masses while only one third of those referred to a nearby center for radiotherapy had it done. One year survival rate was 27%.
Conclusion: Metastatic disease is common in Nigeria and treatment is limited due to resource limitations. Improved awareness of the disease is advocated to reduce late presentation.
Keywords
breast cancer, metastasis, developing country.
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© Copyright 2011 African Health Sciences.
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