Research Article

PATTERN OF METASTATIC BREAST CANCER IN NIGERIA: A RETROSPECTIVE REVIEW OF CASES FROM NATIONAL HOSPITAL, ABUJA

Fatima Inno Uba1*, Simeon C. Aruah2, Festus Igbinoba2, Rasaaq A. Oyesegun2
1 Department of Radiotherapy, National Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria
2 Radiotherapy and Oncology Department, National Hospital Abuja, Nigeria.
* Corresponding author: agbamufatima@yahoo.com
Published: Jul, 2025
DOI: 10.67579/njo.2025.c5fsm2w9
Pages: 280-288
Views: 229
Downloads: 160

Abstract

Background: Metastatic Breast Cancer is a common presentation among breast cancer patients in Nigeria. There has been a slight decline in breast cancer mortality, which can be attributed both to the success of early detection programs and advances in treatment.


Objective: To determine the pattern, sites, and outcomes of metastatic breast cancer among patients treated at the National Hospital, Abuja.


Methods: This was a retrospective study that involved all patients with a histopathology-confirmed diagnosis of breast cancer from January 2017 to December 2022 at the radiotherapy department of the National Hospital, Abuja. Data were analysed by SPSS version 2.0.


Results: The mean age of the studies was 47.2 (SD=11.5) years. More than half of the patients had metastasis, 153(54.8%). (37.7%) had metastases to the bone, 22.9% had metastasis to the lungs, 22.0% had metastasis to the spine, 18.1% had metastasis to the liver, and 10.7% had metastasis to the brain. Patients with multiple metastases died within one year, while solitary metastasis had 25% mortality within 1 year and 53% mortality in 5-year follow-up (Log-rank test 0.0001).


Conclusion: Despite improving breast cancer outcome, distant metastasis is common, incurable and hence a major challenge. Early recognition through diagnosis of metastatic disease will allow rapid institution of effective palliative treatment. This will improve the quality of life of patients.


Keywords

Breast cancer Metastasis Delayed presentation Pattern of spread

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How to Cite

Uba, F. I., Aruah, S. C., Igbinoba, F., & Oyesegun, R. A. (2025). PATTERN OF METASTATIC BREAST CANCER IN NIGERIA: A RETROSPECTIVE REVIEW OF CASES FROM NATIONAL HOSPITAL, ABUJA. Nigerian Journal of Oncology, 1(2), 280-288. https://doi.org/10.67579/njo.2025.c5fsm2w9

F. I. Uba, S. C. Aruah, F. Igbinoba, and R. A. Oyesegun, "PATTERN OF METASTATIC BREAST CANCER IN NIGERIA: A RETROSPECTIVE REVIEW OF CASES FROM NATIONAL HOSPITAL, ABUJA," Nigerian Journal of Oncology, vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 280-288, July 2025. doi: 10.67579/njo.2025.c5fsm2w9

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