CLINICOPATHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF BREAST CANCER PATIENTS WHO PRESENTED AT A SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIAN RADIATION ONCOLOGY CLINIC
2 Radiation Oncology Department, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
3 Federal Medical Centre, Ebute-Metta, Lagos State, Nigeria
4 Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, Osun State
5 Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Ibadan and University College Hospital, Ibadan PMB 5116, Nigeria.
6 Radiation Oncology Department, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State
7 Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Ibadan/University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
8 Department of Radiation Oncology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
* Corresponding author: mailjibike3@gmail.com
Abstract
Background: Breast cancer is the commonest female cancer in Nigeria and is also the commonest cause of cancer mortality among Nigerian females. Although the incidence is not as high as the average worldwide incidence rate, the mortality of breast cancer patients in Nigeria is high.
Objective: We analysed the sociodemographic and clinicopathological characteristics of breast cancer patients who presented at the Radiation Oncology Clinic, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study. Sociodemographic and clinicopathological details were obtained from the case notes of breast cancer patients who presented at the Radiation Oncology Clinic, University College Hospital, Ibadan, from January 2008 to December 2017.
Results: A total of 605 patients were included. There were 8 men. The age of patients ranged from 28 to 90 years, with a mean age of 48.2 ± 9.2 years. Most were middle-aged and had semi-skilled employment. A considerable proportion had early menarche, high parity, and prolonged breastfeeding. Clinically, most patients presented with left-sided disease at an advanced stage (stage III or IV). Invasive ductal carcinoma (most commonly moderately differentiated) was the most common histological subtype. Among those who had immunohistochemistry done, triple-negative and HER2-enriched subtypes were most frequent.
Conclusion: These findings underscore the need for early detection strategies and expanded access to diagnostic tools like immunohistochemistry. Addressing these gaps is essential to improving treatment outcomes and survival in breast cancer patients in Nigeria.
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