Pattern of benign breast diseases in Abakaliki, South Eastern Nigeria, A 5 year retrospective study

Background: There is a rise in the trend of benign breast diseases (BBDs) currently; this is made possible through public awareness of the disease. Aim: To determine the pattern of BBDs in a 5-year retrospective study was the aim of this study. Materials and Methods: A 5-year retrospective study and all histopathologically proven BBDs from January 2015 to December 2020 were reviewed. Software, version 21 of the statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) was used for data analysis. Results: Cases of BBDs diagnosed within the study period were 143 and were made up of 5 (3.5%) males and 138 (96.5%) females, with a ratio of 1: 28. Among the females, the most commonly affected age group was 21–30 years contributing 57.8% (80/138), followed by ≤20 years contributing 36.2% (50/138). Among males ≤20 years of age group are mostly affected and contributing 60% (3/5). Fibroadenoma accounted for 62.9% (90/143), followed by fibrocystic disease (FCD) contributing 16.8% (24/143). The less common breast diseases in this study were fat necrosis, lipoma, granulomatous mastitis, periductal mastitis, and cysticercosis accounting for 0.7% each. Conclusion: Fibroadenoma remains the most common BBD although higher than in the earlier study, followed by FCD in our centre. Females constituted most of the affected individuals (21–30 years). The practice of breast self-examination should be encouraged to detect and treat lumps which may be malignant early enough to reduce morbidity and mortality.