Breast disease including breast developmental anomalies in Kumasi, Ghana

Abstract

Background: The incidence of breast pathologies presenting at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in the central part of Ghana is on the increase. These include breast cancers, abscesses and Breast Developmental Anomalies (BDA). The female breast, a “symbol of feminism”, plays a decisive role in the woman's sense of physical and emotional vitality. Any deviations from the “accepted” normal size, shape, form or symmetry may lead to aesthetic and psychological problems. The purpose of this study was to analyze the categories of breast problems and their magnitudes and also asses their protocols of management. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of Patients' Records from two outpatient clinics General Surgical Clinic (GSC) and the Plastic Surgery Clinic (PSC) of KATH from 1997 to 2000 was done. Results: The patients from the GSC aged 11- 71 years with the following diagnoses: Breast Carcinomas-748, Breast Abscesses-345, Breast Necrotizing Cellulites-37, Breast Lumps-20, Breast ulcers including Buruli ulcers-20, giving a total of 1,170 cases. From the PSC, BDAs recorded were Amazia -2, Hypoplasia - 8, Hyperplasia/Macromastia -18, Accessory Breast 3, Tubular Breast-3, Nipple Anomalies-4 giving a total of 38 cases who were in the range of 10 18 years. Conclusion: BDAs were outnumbered by other breast diseases to the ratio of about 1:31 Breast cancers formed 63.93% of all traditional breast diseases (TBD) while juvenile macromastia, a severe form of BDA formed 47.37% of all BDA.