Clinical Profiles, Diagnosis and Treatment for Breast Cancer Patients in Hawassa Comprehensive Specialized and Teaching Hospital in Southern Ethiopia: Descriptive Analysis

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Africa, including Ethiopia, leading to morbidity and death. Clinical  profile and tumor characteristics of patients are essential for proper case management and timely referral linkage. This study aimed to  describe the clinical profiles, diagnosis and treatments provided to breast cancer patients treated at Hawassa Comprehensive Specialized  and Teaching Hospital (HCSTH) from 2013 to 2017 in Southern Ethiopia. 

Methods: The medical records of 210 breast cancer patients were  reviewed retrospectively in March 2018 in HCSTH. Data on stage at diagnosis, sociodemographic, and tumor characteristics were  collected from patient medical charts using a data extraction checklist. Descriptive analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.

Results: One hundred seventy-four (82.9%) patients presented with advanced-stage breast cancer  (Stage III n=126 (60%), Stage IV n=48 (22.9%)). Invasive ductal carcinoma was present in 192 (91.4%) patients. Almost all (207; 98.6%) of  the patients presented with a breast “lump.” A total of 137 (65.2%) patients had a tumor size greater than 5cm. The number of breast  cancer cases increased linearly over the study period from 28 in 2013 to 70 in 2017. Over,94.8% of patients were treated with surgery, only  12.5% of patients received hormonal therapy, and only 0.5% of the patients received radiotherapy service through referral.   

Conclusion: The rising incidence of breast cancer cases highlights the growing demand for services at this tertiary healthcare facility. A  significant proportion of patients, exceeding 80%, are diagnosed with advanced-stage disease upon presentation, indicating a need to  address delays in diagnosis and barriers to timely treatment. It is imperative to focus on downstaging the disease through early detection  programs and establishing rapid diagnostic unit as part of interventions aligned with the objectives of the World Health  Organization Global Breast Cancer Initiatives.