Therapeutic and Prognostic Aspects of Gynecological and Breast Cancers in Northern Benin from 2010 to 2020

Abstract

Introduction: Gynaecological and Breast Cancers (GBCs) are a public health problem and management continues to be a concern. Objective: To study the therapeutic and prognostic aspects of GBC. Method: This was a cross-sectional and descriptive study from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2020. It included cases where the diagnosis of GBC was made and confirmed on anatomopathological examination and where treatment was instituted. Male breast cancer cases were excluded. Data were entered and processed by Epi data 3.1.1. and Epi Info 7.2.0.1. Results: A total of 230 cases of GBC were collected. The mean age was 48.4 ± 11.14 years with extremes of 15 and 80 years. The cancers were of the breast (55.2%), cervix (28.8%), corpus uteri (7.8%), ovary (5.2%), vulva (1.7%) and vagina (1.3%). Of the 127 breast cancers, 107 (70.10%) women had undergone total or partial mastectomy with 89 cases of lymph node dissection (83.20%). Hormone therapy was instituted in 89 women (71.8%), chemotherapy in 87 women (81.3%), 27 (21.25%) had undergone immunohistochemistry (IHC). Histopronostic grades were specified in 96 cases, including 12 (12.5%) grade I, 60 (62.5%) grades II and 24 (25%) grade III. Of the 103 women with gynaecological cancer, 94.2% had received treatment, which was specific for 69 women (71.1%). Radiotherapy was not performed in any of the women. Among the 69 women, 8.7% of deaths were recorded. Conclusion: GBC is common in northern Benin. Their management is inadequate and mortality remains high. Priority should be given to prevention.