Analysis of five-year breast biopsies carried out in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital Benin City

OBJECTIVE: To review the histology of breast biopsies carried out in our hospital with a view to designing management and preventive strategies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 179 patients who had breast biopsies over a five year-period (January 1999 - December 2003) were included in the study. The patients were sorted out from the records in both the casualty and main theatres of the hospital. The medical records from their case files were analysed in terms of age, sex and the histology of the tissue obtained on biopsy. RESULTS: Benign breast lesions accounted for 73.2% with fibroadenoma constituting a greater percentage. Whereas benign breast lesions were most commonly encountered in the third decade of life, malignant lesions occurred most commonly in the fourth decade. After the age of 60, all the cases analysed were of the malignant variety. CONCLUSION: Young patients with breast lump should be encouraged to come for consultation as most of them are benign. However, any lump in a woman above 30 should be properly screened for cancer. Similarly, any patient who presents with a breast lesion after the age of 60 should be regarded as having breast cancer until proved otherwise.