Breast Cancer: Epidemiological, Clinical, and Therapeutic Aspects in Pointe Noire (Congo Brazzaville)

Abstract

Introduction: Breast cancer is the leading cancer and the leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide. The objective of our study was to describe the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic aspects of breast cancer at the General Hospital of Loandjili in Pointe Noire. Patients and Methods: This was a descriptive and cross-sectional study that took place in the Cancer Department of the General Hospital of Loandjili in Pointe Noire during the period from January 1st, 2012 to December 31st, 2016 for duration of 5 years. 54 records of patients over 18 years of age with histological evidence were collected. The variables studied were: age, level of education, time to presentation, telltale sign, stage of extension, histological type, and histological grade. Chi-square test was used to compare variables and groups. Results: At the end of this study, we collected 54 files of breast cancer patients from 150 patients hospitalized in the Cancer Department. The frequency of breast cancer was 36%. The average age was 50 ± 13.6 years; the extremes were 27 years and 79 years. The most represented age group was from 37 to 40 years old with a percentage of 28%. The patient’s level of study was primary in the majority of cases (57%). The most represented histological type was invasive ductal carcinoma, (100%). The majority of patients arrived at advanced stages 44.4% and metastatic stages 26%. Patients were treated in most of cases by chemotherapy (82%), surgery (42%) and radiotherapy (10%). There was a correlation between time of presentation and stage of extension. Conclusion: Breast cancer is the first cancer of the woman in Pointe Noire. Patients arrive at advanced stages; the most common histological type is invasive ductal carcinoma. The presentation time is correlated with the extension stage. These results suggest the establishment of a cancer control program in developing countries.