Three-year clinico-pathological observations of breast carcinoma in Okolobiri, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the commonest malignancy of females worldwide and a major leading cause of death among females. Globally, the incidence is  increasing.
Aim: To ascertain the clinico-pathological pattern of breast cancer at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital.
Methods: This was a retrospective study of all BC patients treated from January 2007 to December 2009 in the Surgical Department of the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital. Okolobiri, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Relevant data including name, age, sex, history and examination findings and results of histopathology and other investigations were collected from case files of all the patients treated for BC during the period under review. The data was then analysed manually and by using stat-graphics version 2.3.
Results: A total of 42 patients were included in the study and they were all females. Twelve patients (28.6%) were of the 31-40 years age group, followed by 21-30 years age group with 10 patients (23.8%). Thirty-one patients (73.8%) between the ages of 21-50 years were premenopausal.  The commonest histological type was infiltrating ductal carcinoma which was found in 23 (54.7%) patients. Late presentation was seen in 38 (90.5%) patients. The right breast was affected in 22 (52.4%) cases, the left in 19 (45.2%) and only one (2.4%) was bilateral. Mortality was 4.8%.
Conclusion: Cancer of the breast is still a common problem presenting in the young to middle age groups.  Infiltrating ductal carcinoma is the commonest variant. Late stage presentation is often the norm in this locality. There is the need to increase the awareness of the disease. 

Keywords: Breast carcinoma, Disease pattern, Late presentation