Breast Lesions and Cancer Staging in Somalia: A Five-Year Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background: Breast masses, ranging from benign to malignant, are a significant health concern worldwide, with breast cancer being a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in women. In resource-limited settings like Somalia, diagnostic and screening limitations contribute to late-stage cancer presentations. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, histopathological features, and age-related patterns of breast lesions in patients at a single tertiary hospital in Somalia over five years. Methods: Here, we conducted a retrospective analysis of 234 breast biopsy reports from a tertiary hospital between 2020 and 2025, examining clinical, imaging, and histopathological data. Results: Breast cancer was diagnosed in 51.3% of cases, predominantly at advanced stages (Stage III and IV), with older age significantly associated with malignancy. Fibroadenoma was the most common benign lesion, especially in younger women. Ultrasound was the primary imaging modality due to lack of mammography. Conclusion: These findings highlight the urgent need for improved early detection, diagnostic infrastructure, and public health initiatives to enhance breast cancer outcomes in Somalia.

Keywords

• Benign
• malignancy
• histopathology
• core needle biopsy
• late-stage diagnosis
• breast masses

Somali’de Meme Lezyonları ve Kanser Evrelemesi: Beş Yıllık Retrospektif Bir Çalışma

Abstract

Arka Plan: İyi huyludan kötü huyluya kadar değişen meme kitleleri, dünya genelinde önemli bir sağlık sorunudur. Meme kanseri, kadınlarda hastalık ve ölümün önde gelen nedenlerinden biridir. Somali gibi kaynakların sınırlı olduğu ülkelerde tanı ve tarama imkanlarının yetersizliği, kanserin geç evrede teşhis edilmesine yol açmaktadır. Amaç: Bu çalışma, Somali’deki tek bir üçüncü basamak hastanede beş yıl boyunca görülen meme lezyonlarının yaygınlığını, histopatolojik özelliklerini ve yaşa bağlı dağılımını değerlendirmeyi amaçlamaktadır. Yöntemler: 2020–2025 yılları arasında bir üçüncü basamak hastanede alınan 234 meme biyopsisi raporu geriye dönük olarak incelenmiştir. Klinik, görüntüleme ve histopatolojik veriler analiz edilmiştir. Bulgular: Vakaların %51.3’ünde meme kanseri tanısı konmuş ve çoğu ileri evrede (Evre III ve IV) bulunmuştur. İleri yaş ile malignite arasında anlamlı ilişki saptanmıştır. Fibroadenom, özellikle genç kadınlarda en sık görülen iyi huylu lezyondur. Mamografi eksikliği nedeniyle ultrason en yaygın kullanılan görüntüleme yöntemi olmuştur. Sonuç: Bu bulgular, Somali’de meme kanseri sonuçlarını iyileştirmek için erken teşhis, tanı altyapısı ve halk sağlığı çalışmalarının acilen geliştirilmesi gerektiğini göstermektedir.

Keywords

• İyi huylu
• Malignite
• Histopatoloji
• Tru-cut biyopsi
• Geç evre tanı
• Meme kitleleri

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