Management of Pregnancy Associated Breast Cancer

Background: The peak age incidence for breast cancer in developing countries is 35-45 years; which is part of the reproductive years of our women. As women defer child- bearing on account of education and careers; the incidence of pregnancy associated breast cancer is expected to increase. Aim: This study presents 4 cases of pregnancy associated breast cancer (PABC) to illustrate the challenges and dilemma in the management of these patients. Methods: The clinical features; stage of presentation of the disease; treatment and outcome of treatment of 4 patients with PABC are reviewed. Results: There were live births of normal babies by all 4 patients; but 100mortality as all the 4 patients with PABC died within 18 months of delivery from metastatic breast cancer. Conclusion: Seventy to 80of non-pregnant patients present with advanced breast cancer. PABC as illustrated by these 4 cases presented at worse stages of the advanced cancer. The late stage at diagnosis of PABC and the desire by the patients to have normal live birth at term have worsened prognosis for the PABC patients in our environment. Recommendation: Multidisciplinary team approach by midwives; obstetricians; surgeons and counselors using BSE; CBE and screening at ante-natal clinics for early detection and diagnosis. Counselors to assist patients take decision in the best interest of patient and unborn baby to reduce morbidity and mortality

Surgical abdominal tuberculosis in Nigerians: a series of 17

Seventeen cases of abdominal tuberculosis were seen over a period of thirteen years in the surgical units of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. There were 9 males and 8 females and their ages ranged from 15 to 60 years with a median age of 38.9 years. There were 7 cases of tuberculous mesentric lymphadenitis; 3 of gastric tuberculosis; 2 each of tuberculous peritonitis and ileo-ccaecal tuberculosis fistula-in-ano. The common presenting clinical faetures were abdominal pain; fever; vomiting; weight loss; abdominal distension and abdominal mass which were not always diagnostic. Laparotomy was mostly used to obtain tissues for diagnosis in which there was histological confirmation of tuberculosis in all 17 cases and positive bacterial examination in only 5 patients. [abstract terminated]