[Breast cancer in Tunisia: epidemiologic characteristics and trends in incidence]

The goal of this study is to analyze certain epidemiologic characteristics of breast cancer in Tunisia and to foresee the consequences that will arise from the trends in incidence of this cancer. Data obtained from the North-Tunisia Cancer Registry [NTCR] and from the Salah AZAIZ Institute [SAI] Registry is used to estimate the different incidence rates and to compare these rates with those of other countries. In 15 years the crude incidence rate for breast cancer in the North Tunisia almost doubled to reach 21.5 cases / 100, 000 women per year during 1994-1998. The high rate of this cancer among women younger than 35 years [11%] could be related to a relatively low incidence among post-menopausal women. The clinical profile of breast cancer remains quite alarming: 40.2% of cases have a tumor with a clinical diameter equal or greater than 5 cm. Birth cohort effect, also know as the generation effect, is expected to lead to an increase of cancer incidence in the future. The rather high number of young cases is a source of additional cost on social and financial level. The priority is now to solve the problem of late diagnosis it has aggravated the prognosis of this cancer in Tunisia

[Retrospective results of breast ultrasonographically-guided cytoponctions and microbiopsies within the breast cancer screening program of L'Ariana state in Tunisia]

To report the results of breast ultrasonographically-guided fine needle aspirations and needle biopsies within the breast cancer screening program of L'Ariana state in Tunisia. Our retrospective study include 143 patients, with mammographically detected lesions, which underwent a diagnostic percutanous ultrasonographically guided procedures. 57 patients underwent a fine needle aspiration, 25 underwent a needle biopsy and 61 patients underwent both procedures. Sensitivity and specificity of fine needle aspiration are of 84, 2% and 98, 5%. We report 13, 5% of non contributive results. The needle biopsy have a sensitivity of 97, 3% and a specificity of 100% with one false negative corresponding to an atypical ductal hyperplasia at the excisional biopsy. Fine needle aspiration is a reliable method of accurately establishing a diagnosis. Needle biopsy is recommended for a preoperative lesion characterisation before adequate treatment

[Krukenberg's tumor- about 5 cases]

KRUKENBERG's tumor is an ovarian metastasis of a digestive neoplasm. It is a rare tumor. We realized a retrospective study over 5 years, in the service "A" of the CMNT. We listed 5 cases of KRUKENBERG's tumors. The average age of our patients was of 47 years. The main motive for consultation are pelvic pains. Clinical exam finds an abdominal mass in 4 cases. The treatment is surgical associated to the chemotherapy. The primitive tumor was found in 4 cases, it was gastric in three patients. KRUKENBERG's tumor is a rare tumor, it touches the young woman. The prognosis of this tumor remains dark. The surgical treatment and the chemotherapy improve little the survival

[Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans about 18 cases]

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans [DFSP] is a rare mesenchyma skin tumor. It is characterized by a slow growth with a high rate of recurrence but limited potential for metastasis. We report the result of a retrospective study of 18 cases of DFSP collected over 16 years in the dermatology department of La Rabta Hospital. The mean age was 32 years with a sex ratio of 1.57. The site of predilection was the trunk [77.5%]. Histological features were typical in all cases with positivity for CD34 in 14 cases. Treatment was surgical in 13 cases. DFSP is a tumor of intermediate malignancy, which can have aggressive course. This tumor is best treated with surgery in which large excision are necessary to reduce the risk of recurrence

Les tumeurs des glandes salivaires: a propos de 96 cas

We report a clinicopathologic study of 93 cases of salivary gland tumors. Our results, combined with those of the literature, prove the freqency of the pl‚omorphic adenoma [mixed tumour] that constitute two thirds of the salivary gland tumors, and the presence of uncertain prognosis tumors as mucoepidermoid tumor. The malignant tumors are rare and have a poor prognosis. The histogenesis of this tumors remain open for discussion