Surgical Margin Status after Breast Conservation Surgery at Aga Khan University Hospital Nairobi

Abstract

Background: The conservation of the breast in a woman after diagnosis of breast cancer plays a vital role in the overall management of the patient. While the cosmetic outcome enhances the patients’ self-image, assurance of clear margins is essential in prognostication. An analysis was carried out to assess the adequacy of surgical margins at our unit. Methodology: Retrospective analysis of breast surgery for breast cancer patients was done from 2008 to 2011 at Aga Khan University Hospital. Results: Twenty one patients with breast cancer had breast conservation surgery with an average age of 44.8 years. The commonest histological diagnosis (71.4%) was invasive ductal carcinoma. Negative margins were obtained in 85.7%. Modified radical mastectomy was performed on patients who had residual tumour after re-excision. Conclusion: Breast conservation surgery can yield acceptable margin status with appropriate clinical and radiological selection of patients with early breast cancer.

Keywords

• breast conservation surgery
• surgical margins