Breast disease in children and adolescents in eastern Nigeria--a five-year study

Breast complaints in children and the effect of family history

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the correlation of physical examination, and radiological and pathological findings of children and adolescents with breast-related complaints.

METHODS

Children and adolescents with breast complaints between January 2016 and December 2019 were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

A total of 118 children and adolescent patients were included. Their ages ranged from 12 to 18 years (median, 16 years). Twenty-one patients had a family history of breast cancer (17.8%). The most common complaints were pain, mass, and nipple discharge. Physical examination revealed mass (41.5%), tenderness (11%), and fullness (8.5%). Thirty-nine patients were classified ultrasonographically with Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BIRADS) 3 (39.4%) and four patients were BIRADS 4 (4%). Excision was applied to all patients with BIRADS 4, and 13 of 39 patients with BIRADS 3. Pathological diagnoses of the patients with BIRADS 3 were fibroadenoma (n: 12, 92.3%) and benign phyllodes tumor (n: 1, 7.7%). In patients with BIRADS 4, three patients had fiboradenomas and one patient had a benign phyllodes tumor. No recurrence was observed in any patients who had an excision. Only six of the patients with positive family history had BIRADS 3 lesions, and the others were BIRADS 1. Excision was recommended in two patients and the pathological diagnoses were fibroadenoma.

CONCLUSION

In this age group, the most common complaints were pain and mass, while physical examination was normal in nearly half of the patients. All of the pathological diagnoses were benign. While evaluating the patients in this age range, the experience of the clinician and radiologist is important and we think that it is necessary to increase the awareness of the patient and family about physiological breast development and self-breast examination.

Ultrasonographic review of pediatric breast masses among Nigerian children in a tertiary hospital

BACKGROUND

Breast masses occur infrequently in children and adolescents. Most of these masses have proved that benign and conservative approach is the management of choice. Consequently, imaging has become crucial. The knowledge of the ultrasonographic features of childhood and adolescent breast masses is needed for age appropriate medical care.

AIM

The aim of this study was to describe and document the ultrasonographic spectrum of breast masses in children and adolescents (0-19) years seen in the Ahmadu Bello University teaching hospital, Zaria.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A 2-year retrospective review of breast sonograms of 25 consecutively presenting children and adolescents (3 males and 22 females) who had palpable breast masses. Ultrasound scans were performed with a Mindray Machine DC-8 using the linear transducer at 7.5-12 MHz transducer frequency. Histopathological confirmation of the solid masses was also obtained. The statistical analysis of the data collected was done using the SPSS software version 20 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).

RESULTS

The patients were between 40 days and 19 years old (mean 14.8 years and standard deviation 4.1). The ultrasonographic findings were those of infections, benign tumoral lesions and pubertal endocrine changes. Overall, fibroadenoma was the most common mass, seen in 14 (56%) of the patients. Other findings were simple cysts, non-puerperal and puerperal mastitis, juvenile papillomatosis and normal glandular pubertal breast tissue. The three male patients had gynaecomstia, pseudogynaecomastia and cystic lymphangioma of the chest wall presenting as unilateral breast masses, respectively. There was no malignancy recorded in any of the patients.

CONCLUSION

Ultrasonographically, benign masses predominate which is concordant with surgical findings. Familiarity with these features would obviate the need for unnecessary invasive procedures which should be reserved for only deserving cases.

Breast carcinoma in a prepubertal girl

Breast carcinoma is a very rare disease in children. We present a rare case of breast cancer in an 11-year-old prepubertal girl. Clinically, it was a case of locally advanced breast cancer (T4bN1M0). The core biopsy report showed adenocarcinoma of the not otherwise specified (NOS) variety (oestrogen receptor-negative, progesterone receptor-negative and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative). Diagnosis was late in this case due to lack of suspicion. A modified radical mastectomy was considered to be adequate treatment. Histologically, it was adenocarcinoma NOS, which is rare in young girls (the secretory type being more common). Incidence, differential diagnoses, investigation and management of breast carcinoma in young girls are discussed. The purpose of reporting this case is to highlight that prevention and early detection of breast carcinoma in children is very important.