Pattern of breast diseases in a teaching hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this case series study is to evaluate the outline and pattern of male and female breast diseases in Saudi Arabia. Also to compare 8 studies of literature discussing the profile of malignant and benign female breast diseases in the Kingdom. We hope that this study will assist us to appreciate the prototype breast diseases in our region.

METHODS: Our study consisted of 1084 consecutive male and female breast lesions. Data on these specimens, received in the time frame of 15 years between January 1984 and March 2000, was retrieved from the records of the laboratory. The outline of breast lesions were tabulated and classified into inflammatory, benign and malignant lesions.

RESULTS: In female breasts, benign lesions comprised 57% of all lesions (mean age 28.5), most commonly reported being fibroadenoma 47%, fibrocystic disease 22% and fibroadenosis 14%. Malignant lesions comprised 32.5% of all lesions (mean age 48.49), most commonly reported being ductal carcinoma 88% and lobular carcinoma 4.5%. Inflammatory lesions comprised 11% of all lesions (mean age 35.0), most commonly reported lesion being chronic mastitis 31% and ductectasia 19%. Male benign lesions comprised 55 cases (87%). Eight cases (13%) of malignant lesions, 6 ductal carcinomas and 2 metastatic adenocarcinomas, were also identified.

CONCLUSION: The rates for female breast lesions varied in different studies but benign fibroadenoma constituted the most common breast lesion and secondly ductal carcinoma. The mean age for malignant lesion in 7 different studies came to be 44.05. In the male breast, carcinomas constituted 3% of all breast carcinomas. Gynecomastia being the most common male breast lesion constituting 54%.