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Research Article
Challenges and outcome of management of breast cancer in Abakaliki, South East Nigeria
1 Fellow West African College of Surgeons, FWACS (Consultant Surgeon), Department of Surgery, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
2 Fellow National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, FMCS (Consultant Surgeon), Department of Surgery, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
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Uche Emmanuel Eni
Department of Surgery, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital (AE-FUTH), Abakaliki, Ebonyi State,
Nigeria
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Article ID: 100009C01UE2019
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How to cite this article
Eni UE, Dilibe UC, Ugwu OA, Daniel UHA, Onyeyirichi O, Ekuma OU. Challenges and outcome of management of breast cancer in Abakaliki, South East Nigeria. Edorium J Cancer 2019;5:100009C01UE2019.ABSTRACT
Aims: Though the incidence of breast cancer is apparently higher in the developed world than in developing countries, the mortality rate is known to be much higher among African women. The paradox has been attributed to a myriad of factors including late presentation with advanced disease and unfavorable biologic subtypes. The aim of this study is to highlight the challenges that are peculiar to our practice in breast cancer management in Abakaliki, South East Nigeria.
Methods: This was a prospective study of all patients diagnosed with breast cancer seen in a general surgery unit at Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki between January 2014 and April 2016. Data obtained from patients’ folders complemented by oral interview during follow-up visits in the clinic or ward admission were entered in a pro forma and analyzed.
Results: A total of 89 patients with histological diagnosis of breast cancer were studied. The mean age was 45.8 (±11.7) years. Fifty patients (56.2%) were premenopausal. The vast majority (79.8%) of patients presented with advanced disease, many (33.6%) with fungation. Diagnosis was essentially by histology, in the absence of facility for immunohistochemistry. Staging investigations were basically chest X-ray, abdominal ultrasound scan, and plain bone X-rays. Treatment options were mostly limited to surgery, chemotherapy, and hormonal therapy, due to unavailability of radiotherapy and monoclonal antibody/other targeted therapy. Recurrence was therefore common and posed a serious challenge in the management of breast cancer in our setting. Outcome was therefore generally poor.
Conclusion: Breast cancer is common in our practice and often present late. Increased awareness, poverty alleviation, and organized screening program are necessary to reduce late presentation and improve prognosis.
Keywords: Abakaliki, Breast cancer, Challenges, Management
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
Acknowledgments
The authors wish to acknowledge the priceless contribution of the surgical residents who helped with the completion of the study pro forma.
Author ContributionsUche Emmanuel Eni - Substantial contributions to conception and design, Acquisition of data, Analysis of data, Interpretation of data, Drafting the article, Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published
Uchenna Chinedu Dilibe - Acquisition of data, Analysis of data, Interpretation of data, Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published
Ogbuanya Aloysius Ugwu - Acquisition of data, Analysis of data, Interpretation of data, Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published
Umezurike Harold Akuma Daniel - Acquisition of data, Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published
Otuu Onyeyirichi - Acquisition of data, Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published
Oji Uzor Ekuma - Substantial contributions to conception and design, Acquisition of data, Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published
Guaranter of SubmissionThe corresponding author is the guarantor of submission.
Source of SupportNone
Consent StatementWritten informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this article.
Data AvailabilityAll relevant data are within the paper and its Supporting Information files.
Conflict of InterestAuthors declare no conflict of interest.
Copyright© 2019 Uche Emmanuel Eni et al. This article is distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium provided the original author(s) and original publisher are properly credited. Please see the copyright policy on the journal website for more information.
