Pattern of Breast Cancer Metastasis at the Radiotherapy Clinic, Ibadan - A Ten-Year Review

Abstract

Introduction: - Breast cancer is the commonest cancer among Nigerian women. In Nigeria and indeed Africa and most underdeveloped countries, majority of patients with breast cancer present to the Hospital late with advanced disease. At this stage, the cancer involves the axillary nodes, it may be attached to the underlying muscles and distant metastases are almost certainly present. The primary treatment intent therefore is palliative. Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the pattern of metastasis of breast cancer among patients treated at Radiotherapy Department, University College Hospital, Ibadan. Methodology: Five hundred and eighteen patients with histological diagnosis of breast cancer seen between 2000 and 2009 were studied. Results: There 5 were Males and 513 Females. The mean age was 48.15 years and 63.5% were between the ages of 30 and 50 years. Fifty eight percent of the women were premenopausal while 42% were postmenopausal. The percentage of patients that presented with stages 1, 11, 111 & 1V diseases were 6.2%, 24.7%, 38.8% and 30.3% respectively. The overall incidence of metastasis to distant organs were lung 25.7%, bone 24.1%, liver 7.7%, brain 5.8%, contra lateral breast 0.6% and kidney 0.2%. Conclusion: Based on the data obtained from this study, breast cancer mostly occurred among young women. Compared to earlier studies in Nigeria, breast cancer patients still present late with advanced stage disease with distant metastasis. Baseline bone scan, chest X-ray and abdominopelvic ultrasound scan are recommended for breast cancer patients before commencing treatment to enhance early detection of metastasis. Efforts should be increased towards early detection and treatment.