Clinicopathological study of carcinoma of the breast in Benin City.

Morbidity and mortality from breast cancer have continued to be a source of concern to surgeons in many countries. Over a period of 10 years--January 1987 to December 1996--117 patients presented with carcinoma of the breast at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital in Benin City, Nigeria. The case files of 77 patients were available and were analysed retrospectively. There were 75 females and 2 males. Sixty seven per cent of the female patients had large and grossly advanced lesions. Most of them were multiparous and they practiced prolonged breastfeeding. Seventy eight per cent of the patients delayed for over 3 months before presenting to the hospital. The five-year survival was 8.7%. We conclude that carcinoma of the breast is common in this community and that most of the patients present late to the hospital.