Determination of Breast Cancer in Women Under 40 Years Old at Yalgado Ouédraogo University Hospital, Burkina Faso

Introduction: Burkina Faso, management of breast cancer is still challenging due to usually late diagnosis. There are limited therapeutic choices and there are often complications making prognosis poor. The aim of the present was to describe the current clinical situation of breast cancer in women under 40 years old at Yalgado Ouedraogo University Hospital (Burkina Faso).

Aim: This research aimed to describe the current clinical situation of breast cancer in women under 40 years old in Burkina Faso.

Materials and Methods: Prospective cohort study of 58 cases of breast cancer confirmed by histopathology was conducted at Yalgado Ouedraogo CHU, from August 1st, 2014 to February 29th, 2016.

Results: Mean age of patients was 34.8 years (± 4 years). History of breast cancer was observed in 22.4% of cases. Invasive ductal carcinoma was diagnosed in 94.8% of cases. T3 and T4 tumors accounted for 20.7% and 38.0% respectively. Locally Advanced Carcinomas were found in 34.5% of cases. Fifty-three women had total mastectomy and among them, 34.5% margins of resection were infiltrated. Lymphocytic infiltrate and presence of vascular emboli accounted for 86.2% and 51.7% respectively. Based on Scarff-Bloom-Richardson classification, 38 patients were grade III. Hormone receptors was negative in 27/45 cases. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy were performed respectively in 98.3% and 48.3% of cases. The average survival of patients was 22.7 ± 2.8 months.

Conclusion: Despite treatment, the prognosis of breast cancer remains poor for young women in Burkina Faso. Several challenges remain to be addressed including promotion of early screening with genetic counseling, establishment of an effective technical platform and national subsidy for therapeutic care.