Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast at Enugu Nigeria.

BACKGROUND

(Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the breast is a rare type of neoplasm that is histologically indistinguishable from other examples in other sites and generally has a good prognosis). To characterize the clinical and pathological features of ACC in our environment, as well as the treatment offered to our patients, a review of the clinical records of patients treated at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu was undertaken.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Case notes of breast cancer patients stored in the medical records department were retrospectively reviewed with a view to studying those with ACC. Follow up on these patients were documented.

RESULT

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast was diagnosed in 9 out of 222 patients treated for cancer of the breast, from 1995-2000. Patients aged 34-70 years were afflicted with this disease. A lump in the breast led to the initial suspicion of a tumor. Some of them had pain in the breast. Many of the patients came with advanced disease. Surgical treatment ranged from simple mastectomy to modified radical mastectomy with radiotherapy and chemotherapy in some patients.

CONCLUSION

The disease is rare at Enugu but contrary to findings elsewhere, majority of our patients had advanced disease. Those with early disease appeared to have a good outcome.