Breast cancer burden in Maiduguri, North Eastern Nigeria

Breast cancer is a global disease and incidence continues to rise especially in the sub-Saharan Africa. In Nigeria, breast cancer is currently the most common malignancy. This study aimed at describing the pattern of breast cancers in Maiduguri and to determine if there is any significant changing trend of frequency. This is a retrospective review data of breast cancers between 2001 and 2005 in the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital Cancer Registry. A total of 1,216 cases of cancers were registered within the study period and breast cancer accounted for 13.9%. There were 490 breast biopsy specimens and breast cancer accounted for 34.5%. There were 161 females and 8 males breast cancer within the study period giving a F:M ratio 20:1. There were four cases of bilateral breast cancers. The age ranges between 17 and 85 years and the peak age group was 40-49 years which accounted for 61 cases (36.1%). The commonest histologic type of breast cancer was invasive ductal carcinoma which accounted for 82.6%; invasive lobular (6.6%); medullary (4.3%); colloid (1.7%); papillary (1.1%); and others (5.1%). In conclusion, breast cancer is on the increase in our environment and therefore there is need for public enlightenment, screening all women at risk, early detection of the lesion, and proper management in our health institution. © 2008 Blackwell Publishing, Inc.