title: Clinicopathologic characteristics of breast cancer in Jamaica.
abstract: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Jamaican women. This study assessed the clinicopathologic features of cases in a hospital-based specialist clinic in Kingston, Jamaica. A retrospective chart review was performed for the 2-year study period and relevant clinical and surgico-pathologic data were recorded and analyzed. Median age of the 121 breast cancer patients was 52 years (range 22-84, IQR 20) and there was 1 case of male breast cancer. Most patients (65%) were referred from the surgical service after definitive breast cancer surgery, 20% were referred for pre-operative systemic therapy, and 15% had a diagnosis of metastatic disease. The surgico-pathologic group comprised 78 women who were referred for adjuvant therapy. The majority had presented with a palpable breast lump (91%), with median tumour size 3.5cm (range 0.4-13, IQR 4). Most tumours were node positive (56%). Approximately one-third of patients had stage III disease (33%). Most women presented with large palpable tumours and had lymph node involvement confirmed on surgicopathological evaluation, indicative of limited early breast cancer detection. A national screening mammography programme is recommended for detection of earlier lesions. Pre-operative systemic therapy should be considered as an option for eligible patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica E-mail : sheray.chin@uwimona.edu.jm.
authors.forename: Sheray Nicole
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Chin
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: Georgiana Gordon
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Strachan
authors.forename: Gilian
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wharfe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D018567:Breast Neoplasms, Male / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007563:Jamaica; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008327:Mammography; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult