Abstract: Background: Breast tumors are common worldwide, and various reports suggest an increasing incidence in Zambia. Breast lesions can be of various types from inflammatory to benign to malignant.
Some lesions are common in young females while others are more common in elderly age group. The main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of inflammatory, benign and malignant breast lesions and age related pattern of presentation of patients with various breast lesions.
Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of histology reports on breast disease from 1991 to 2008 was done. The case records of all the patients who presented to the Nchanga South Hospital January 2006 to January 2008 with breast disease were studied. The information gathered was entered on a questionnaire which was formulated for the purpose.
Results: During the study period 4,565 requests for histology were made. Sixty three patients were admitted to the hospital for breast disease from January 2006 to January 2008. The youngest patient found was 2 years old and the oldest was 69. The mean age was 32 years. A total of 108 breast tumors were diagnosed during the study period, of which 78 (72%) were benign, and 30(28%) were malignant. Fibroadenoma was the commonest benign breast tumor followed by fibrocystic change, and they accounted for 50% and 25.4% of benign breast tumors respectively. Invasive ductal carcinoma was the predominant malignant tumour diagnosed with the prevalence of 87%.
Conclusions: We conclude that breast diseases are common among our women and the fact that those women with non-acute diseases tend to report to health institutions late is a worrying problem that needs the attention of health authorities.
Keywords: Breast Lump, Carcinoma, Benign, Fibro adenoma, Breast disease.
Title: A Review of Breast Diseases in Chingola
Author: Duncan D Mugala, Professor Nathan Siulapwa, Alick Mwambungu, Muleya Mwila
International Journal of Healthcare Sciences
ISSN 2348-5728 (Online)
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