ABSTRACT
Background: Tuberculosis is a global problem with high incidence in endemic areas such as Nigeria. A resurgence of tuberculosis attributed to an increase in the incidence of AIDS was observed in many countries in the last decade. A corresponding increase in the incidence of extrapulmonary tuberculosis including tuberculous mastitis was also documented in tuberculous endemic areas Aim: To present the experience of tuberculous mastitis from the Department of Pathology; University of Benin Teaching Hospital; Benin City; Nigeria. 1987 to 2006. Methods: A retrospective study of cases of tuberculosis of the breast from 1987 to 2006 as found in the records of the Pathology Department was done. Results: Twenty-four cases of tuberculosis of breast were seen during the 20 year period of study. All patients were females. They presented with a lump; mostly in the right breast (70.8). All cases were histologically confirmed. Five (20.8) patients were lactating at the time of presentation. Only 3 (12.5) of the 24 cases were suspected clinically as tuberculous mastitis. There was co-existing fibrocystic disease; fibroadenoma and carcinoma in 3 (12.5); 2 (8.3); and 1 (4.2) patient respectively. All patients had satisfactory results on antituberculosis treatment. Co-existing fibroadenoma and carcinoma were treated by excision biopsy and simple mastectomy respectively. Conclusion: Although the incidence of the tuberculous mastitis is low; it is often misdiagnosed. There is need for a high index of suspicion in making the diagnosis in young women with breast lumps in whom malignancy has been excluded