Abstract

MANAGEMENT OF BREAST CANCER IN THE ONCOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL OF TAMBOHOBE FIANARANTSOA

Ranaivomanana M., Rafaralahivoavy T., Rakotomahenina H.*, Randrianiaina D., Rafaramino F.

Abstract

Introduction: Breast cancer is a common cancer in Malagasy women but the diagnosis and treatment of cancer is insufficient. Our aim was to describe the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer in the Oncology Department of the University Hospital Tambohobe Fianarantsoa Madagascar. Methods: This is a descriptive retrospective study at the Oncology Department in Fianarantsoa from 1st January, 2011 to 31st December, 2016. We have included all new cases of breast cancer confirmed by cytological and / or histological analysis. The data collected were: age, the patient delay, the staging, the diagnosis and therapeutic methods and the follow-up. Results: we included 52 patients. The mean patient delay was 12 +/- 17 months. Fine needle aspiration cytology confirmed the diagnosis in 73% of cases. Breast ultrasound was performed in 50% and mammography in 7.69% of cases. Chest X-ray was performed in 90.38% and abdominopelvic ultrasound in 75% of cases. After the diagnosis, 25% patients were lost to follow-up without specific treatment. Surgery and chemotherapy were performed in 61.54% and 92.31% respectively. Only 3 patients received hormone therapy. No patient underwent the radiation therapy. The radical mastectomy with axillary lymphadenectomy is the most surgical procedures (46.15%). Nineteen patients (48.72%) had completed the number of cycle of chemotherapy. At 6 months of diagnosis, 51.28% (n = 20) were lost to follow-up. Conclusion: The management of breast cancer is a challenge in Fianarantsoa. Prevention and screening are important in low resources countries.

Keywords: Breast cancer, diagnosis, surgery, chemotherapy, follow up.