A STUDY OF THE PATHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF PRIMARY EPITHELIAL BREAST MALIGNANCIES IN OAUTHC, ILE-IFE, NIGERIA BETWEEN 1997 AND 2006

Abstract

Introduction : Breast cancer is the commonest malignancy in women, in both
industrialized and developing countries and the commonest malignancy in Nigeria. The
aim of this study is to document the detailed pathological characteristics of the disease
among our patients.
Materials and Methods: All histologically diagnosed breast cancer cases in our
department between 1997 and 2006 were studied. Relevant information was obtained
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from histology report cards. Sections were recut for histological grading and
immunohistochemistry. The immunocytochemistry technique used was
immunoperoxidase method. The panel of antibody used was for oestrogen receptor,
progesterone receptor and Her2/neu.
Results. Three hundred and twenty cases of breast cancer were seen during the study
period. Out of these 304 met the inclusion criteria for this study. The age range of the
patients was 20-89years ( mean-49years+/-157.23). Majority (52.7%) of cases occurred
after 50year of age. The male to female ratio was 1:37. Both breasts were equally affected.
Large tumour size (> 2.0cm) was seen in 96.9% of cases. Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma
(NOS) was the commonest histological variant and was seen in 82.9% of the cases.
Majority of the cases were high grade cancer (72.6%). Intermediate grade and low grade
cancer were seen in 21.2% and 6.3% of the cases respectively. Lymph node metastasis
was seen in 89.6% of the cases, and lymphovascular invasion was seen in 60.9% of the
cases, whilst reactive inflammatory response was seen in all the cases.
Positivity for oestrogen and progesterone receptors was low and was seen in 38.45% and
23.9% respectively. Her2/neu positivity was seen in only 8.2%. Only 61 cases had
complete set of immunocytochemistry stains. Of these, 31(50.8%) were triple negative.12
(19.7%) cases were positive for ER/PR.
Conclusion.: The pathological features of primary epithelial breast malignancies seen in
Ile-Ife shows that large proportion of the cases were characterized by large tumour size,
high histological grade, presence of lymph node and lymphovascular invasion and high
percentage of oestrogen and progesterone receptors; and Her2/neu negativity.