S N Anyanwu1. 1. Department of Surgery, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There has been a recent increase in interest in conservative treatment of benign disease. OBJECTIVE: To study the epidemiology, clinical features and management of fibro-adenoma of the breast in Nigerian Igbos. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with breast disease presenting to the author at four Nigerian hospitals between 1986 and 1997 were enrolled in a prospective study. RESULTS: Patients with breast disease constituted a significant burden in general surgical practices, with fibro-adenoma present in 94 out of 284 patients with benign disease (33%) and 410 patients with breast disease (23%). The accuracy of clinical pre-operative diagnosis is excellent, especially in those aged under 25 years. Conservative treatment may be advisable for these patients if they can be kept under observation. Other worrisome discoveries include a high rate of teenage abortion and a significant delay in seeking medical help that has not reduced when compared with a previous study undertaken 30 years ago.
BACKGROUND: There has been a recent increase in interest in conservative treatment of benign disease. OBJECTIVE: To study the epidemiology, clinical features and management of fibro-adenoma of the breast in Nigerian Igbos. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with breast disease presenting to the author at four Nigerian hospitals between 1986 and 1997 were enrolled in a prospective study. RESULTS:Patients with breast disease constituted a significant burden in general surgical practices, with fibro-adenoma present in 94 out of 284 patients with benign disease (33%) and 410 patients with breast disease (23%). The accuracy of clinical pre-operative diagnosis is excellent, especially in those aged under 25 years. Conservative treatment may be advisable for these patients if they can be kept under observation. Other worrisome discoveries include a high rate of teenage abortion and a significant delay in seeking medical help that has not reduced when compared with a previous study undertaken 30 years ago.