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Benign breast diseases in an Afro-Caribbean population
1Department of Surgery, University Hospital, Kingston, Jamaica.
East African Medical Journal
|April 18, 2002
Summary
Benign breast disease is common in young Afro-Caribbean women, primarily fibrocystic disease and fibroadenomas. A conservative approach to diagnosis and management is recommended for these patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pathology
- Public Health
Background:
- Benign breast disease (BBD) diagnosis and treatment present clinical challenges.
- The necessity of surgical intervention for BBD requires clearer definition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate BBD patterns in an Afro-Caribbean population.
- To review diagnostic and treatment strategies for BBD in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 333 breast biopsy records for benign disease.
- Analysis conducted over a two-year period at Kingston Public Hospital, Jamaica.
Main Results:
- Fibrocystic disease (41%) and fibroadenomas (33%) were the most frequent BBD types.
- Intraduct papillomatosis (6.7%), fat necrosis (4.4%), breast abscess (3%), and mammary duct ectasia (3%) were also identified.
- Mean age for fibroadenoma was 20 years, and for fibrocystic disease was 40 years; 15 cases showed co-existence with malignancy.
Conclusions:
- BBD predominantly affects Afro-Caribbean women under 30.
- Eighty percent of breast biopsies for palpable lumps are for benign conditions.
- A conservative diagnostic and management approach is supported by the data.