Breast cancer among patients with breast mass attending national Hadhramout centre of health laboratories, Yemen

To describe the current scope of breast cancer in Hadhramout in Yemen and to identify the common type of breast cancer in our people. This study included all patients with breast lesions who attended National Hadhramout Centre of Health Laboratories with breast mass, during a period of four years [January 2006-December 2009]. Patients were assessed clinically, radiologically and/or fine needle aspiration cytology then referred to the laboratory center to confirm the diagnosis by histopathology. Fine needle aspiration cytology was introduced as a preoperative diagnostic tool in the investigations of palpable breast lumps. The data were collected from the referral sheets and the patients themselves. Data were analyzed using a computer SPSS program. A total of 635 cases of breast lumps were diagnosed. Malignant lesions comprising 142 [22.4%] of all cases. 137 female and 5 male patients. It was common in the age group 40-49 [29.6%]. The mean age 48 [SD=15.4]. The most common type of malignancy is invasive ductal carcinoma which represents 86.6% [n=123] of all malignant cases. The left breast affected in 76[53.5%] cases, the right in 63[44.4%] while in 2% both breasts were affected Breast carcinoma cases were less frequent in comparison with other cancers but more common in the 40-49 years age group. Our patients have no access to screening programs. Cancer screening helps detect breast cancer at an early stage, and this would improve the outcome. In view of these findings we propose the implementation of breast screening programs.

Breast diseases in Southern Yemen

To investigate the magnitude of breast diseases, and its frequency distribution in different age groups in Hadramout, Yemen. This is a prospective study conducted at the Central Laboratory of Ibn-Sinna Hospital Hadramout, Yemen from January 2006 to December 2009. Patients attending surgical units for breast problems were eligible. Patients were assessed clinically and referred to the laboratory center to confirm the diagnosis by histopathology. The data were collected from the patients and referral sheets. A total of 635 cases of breast disease were diagnosed. This includes 604 female and 31 male patients. Benign breast diseases [BED] was the most common lesion found in this study comprising 493 cases [77.6%], and 142 [22.4%] comprised malignant cases. Among BBD, the most common lesion was fibroadenoma [40.5%] followed by fibrocystic changes [16%], other benign breast lesions [10%], and inflammatory lesion [8%]. The age groups affected by BBD were: 20-29 years for fibroadenoma; 30-39 years for fibrocystic change; 20-29 years for other benign breast lesions; and 30-39 for inflammatory lesions, and carcinoma of the breast was common in the 40-49 age group. The left breast was affected in 331 [52%] cases, the right in 283 [45%], while in 3%, both breasts were affected. Fibroadenoma was the most frequently diagnosed benign breast lesion in Hadramout. An educational program is needed to alert patients of the significance of breast masses

Preoperative use of analgesia in appendicitis

To determine the influence of diclofenac sodium DS on masking the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. A prospective, experimental study was carried out in Ibn Sinna General Hospital, Mukalla, Hadramout Governorate, Yemen from November 2006 to March 2007. The data were collected using a well designed questionnaire, with observation during the period of admission, prior to the operation. This study includes 80 patients 40 as cases, and 40 as controls, and the results revealed that most of the symptoms fever, anorexia, nausea, and vomiting, and signs tenderness, obturator and psoas signs, local guarding, and rigidity, were not hidden by DS p>0.05, while other symptoms pain, and signs rebound tenderness, Rovsing's, and pointing had been hindered by the use of DS. The most common presenting symptom in the placebo and DS group was pain 100%, which showed a marked decrease in severity in those who received DS as analgesia 72.2%. Some of the symptoms, and signs of acute appendicitis were masked by the use of analgesia, while others were not. In summary, DS did not influence the diagnosis or management of acute appendicitis