Epidemiological and biologic profile of breast cancer in Fez-Boulemane, Morocco

In a retrospective study of 265 patients with breast cancer over 3 years [January 2007-September 2009] we examined the epidemiological profile of breast cancer to determine the impact of biological and prognostic factors on survival over 3 years and on the epidemiology of this cancer. Estrogen [RE], progesterone [RP] and human epidermal growth factor receptors [HER2] were evaluated and RE/RP/HER2 status determined. The patients were young [median age 45 years]. Invasive tumours were found in 95.5% of the women. The average tumour size was big [3.6 [SD 2.6] cm] and only 14% were histological grade I. Large tumour size and high histological grade were independent of patient's age. Overall survival at 3 years was only 49% for the RE-/RP-/HER2- subtype and 75% for the RE-/RP-/HER2+ subtype, while it was 96% for the RE+/RP+/HER2- subtype. The young age, large tumour size and high histological grade in our population suggest a lack of awareness of women about breast cancer

[ child's neuroectodermic melanotic tumors: one case report]

The child's neuroectodermic melanotic tumors represent a quite rare entity, and is often seen before the age of one year. Higher jaw bone represents the most frequented localization, followed by cranian localization. The histogenesis of the child's NMT has been debated for a long time. Thanks to molecular, histochemical, biochemical and ultrastructural studies, the neuroectodermic origin is admitted at present. The child's NMT prognosis remains unknown, they are considered as benign tumors although 10 to 15% of local recurrences, and 2 to 6% of malignant forms has been reported in literature. We report one case of the child's NMT of posterior cranian position in a four month infant being operated for a right occipital mass. Operatory fragment has been put through a morphological study coupled with an immunohistochemical marking [Cytokeratin, Vimentin, Membranary Epithelial Antigen]