A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the
Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of
Master of Medicine in Diagnostic Radiology
Johannesburg, 2019 / INTRODUCTION
Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths worldwide. Triple negative
breast Cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype, commonly described as presenting at a
younger age, in women of African descent and in low socioeconomic groups. Commonly it
demonstrates benign imaging features making diagnosis a challenge. Early detection and
treatment is imperative.
AIM
To determine the common imaging features of TNBC in South Africa.
METHOD
A retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary institution in South Africa. the study
population included all biopsy proven TNBC patients presenting between 01/01/2012 –
30/06/2016. All the initial mammograms were re-read by three independent radiologists
using a data collection sheet. Illegible or incomplete reports were excluded from the
study.
RESULTS
In our population, TNBC commonly presented in African women with an average age of
54.2 and range 25-95 years, with 47% being pre-menopausal. Typical mammographic
features were an oval (27%) or irregular (27%) shaped mass with well circumscribed
margins (33%). Our lesions were much larger than those reported in the literature (1).
Global asymmetry and architectural distortion were commonly associated features. On
ultrasound, the lesions were mostly irregularly shaped (56%) with spiculated borders
(29%) and hypoechoic (80%) with axillary adenopathy (81%).
CONCLUSION
The majority of our patient population presented with a clinically palpable mass, that was
larger and had more aggressive features than usually described in the literature. This can
be attributed to delayed presentation, due to numerous factors. In order to improving the
detection rate and reduce mortality, education and screening programs play a major role. / E.K. 2019
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:wits/oai:wiredspace.wits.ac.za:10539/28176 |
| Date | January 2019 |
| Creators | Bhana-Nathoo, Deepa |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | Online resource (52 leaves), application/pdf |
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