Association of Surgeons of East Africa and College of Surgeons of East Central and Southern Africa
Abstract
Background: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women in
Nigeria. Women previously treated for ipsilateral breast cancer have
increased risk of developing contalateral breast cancer (CBC), the
chance of which increases with longer period of survival and is
associated with worse prognosis. Reports from Nigeria are few on this.
The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence, predisposition,
presentation, and outcome of management of bilateral breast cancer
(BBC) in a population, South-western Nigeria. Methods: A review of
bio-data of all patients with BBC seen in LTH, Osogbo, Nigeria between
2001 and 2008 was done. Age, parity, age at menarche and first child
birth, family history, duration of symptoms, tumour characteristics and
exposure to cigarette, oral contraceptive pills (O.C Pills) and outcome
of treatment were also assessed. Results: BBC constituted 4.6% of the
256 breast cancer patients. Eight (73%) were metachronous and 91% were
infiltrating ductal carcinoma. Patients’ mean age, mean age at
menarche and first child birth were 39, 14.5+3 and 22.5yrs
respectively. Mean parity was 3.5 child birth, 91% were premenopausal
and all have menstruated for 12-31yrs. None had positive family history
while only 1 and 3 had insignificant exposure to cigarette and O.C
pills respectively. The mean interval between the 2 onsets was 18mths
(0-68mths). 91% of all tumours were advance, while 81% of the first
tumours were on the right. Mean duration before presentation for the
first and second tumours were 261 and 111 days respectively. One
patient has survived for 2 years thus far. Conclusion: The incidence of
BBC was 4.26%. Most patients were young and premenopausal with mostly
infiltrating ductal carcinoma (NOS) and presenting with late stage
disease, hence poor prognosis. Aggressive follow-up of patients with
ipsilateral cancer will aid early detection of CBC