Histopathological Characteristics of Breast Lesions in a Tertiary Health Institution in Southwest Nigeria: A 9-year Review

Background: The breast is affected by several diseases, including developmental, inflammatory, and neoplastic. While benign breast neoplasms are usually more common, breast cancer is the most common nonskin cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women after lung cancer in the world.

Objective: The review aimed to assess the histopathological diagnosis of breast lesions over a period of 9years

Methods: This was a retrospective review of eight hundred and fourteen histopathologic cases of breast lesions accessed through laboratory records of all breast lesions cases seen. The demographic data were obtained and the patient’s histology slides were reviewed. The tumors were classified according to the WHO International Classification of breast tumors and Malignant breast tumors were graded according to the Nottingham grading system. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.

Results: The majority of breast cancer cases were seen in patients below 40 years, malignant cases were predominant in older age groups (40 – 59 years; 57.4%, 60 years and above; 23.3%) and malignancy was significantly associated with age group, p-value < 0.05. The prevailing neoplasm was Benign type (68.3%) while malignant neoplasm accounted for 30.2% and invasive ductal carcinoma (89.1%) was most prevalent. Moreso, the majority were in grade 2; 152 (76.8%) using the Nottigham grading system. However, the commonest benign neoplasm was fibroadenoma (53.7%) followed by fibrocystic change (20.1%).

Conclusion: Breast lesions are common in this environment. Benign breast neoplasms are more commoner than malignant diseases. One in three of every sub-Saharan woman diagnosed with malignant breast lesion may not survive five years post-diagnosis. The prognosis of breast malignancies in sub-Saharan is poor due to late Presentation, ignorance, and poverty.