Benign and malignant breast disease presenting to Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital.

OBJECTIVE

In the absence of formal breast screening services in Nepal, patients must self present upon developing symptoms relating to the breast. Clinical examination and diagnostic tests are then used to differentiate benign and malignant conditions. Referral / presentation patterns are not well studied and this paper aims to investigate this.

METHOD

Here we present the clinico-pathological diagnoses of patients presenting to Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital with breast related complaints within a six month period, and report upon their subsequent management.

RESULTS

727 patients presented with breast related complaints, of whom 34 were diagnosed with breast cancer. These tended to present at late stage and their subsequent management is discussed.

CONCLUSION

As the incidence of breast cancer in Nepal is likely to be under-reported and more than likely rising, patient awareness campaigns are underway in order to facilitate the earlier diagnosis of malignant disease and thus beneficially influence treatment outcomes. To this end the need for the development of dedicated breast services is highlighted.