Pattern of Spread of Breast Cancer among Patients attending Cancer Unit of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital

Breast cancer spread usually result in high tumor burden with poor outcome. We aimed to determine the pattern of metastasis, relationship between characteristic of primary breast cancer and extent of subsequent metastasis. Background information and histological type were obtained from the patients records. Clinical, Radiological, Staging (Manchester) and site of metastasis information were obtained during pre-treatment examination and follow-up periods. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics. The mean age of the respondents was 48.7 years and the peak age was 30-39 years. Evidence of metastatic involvement at presentation for care was lymph node 41.7%, lungs 20.2%, liver 5.4% and spine 4.2%. Site of metastasis after 2 years of follow up revealed that out of stage III patients, distant metastatic involvement observed were: Lymph node 85% (59), 22.2% (2), lungs 11.8% (4), spine 16.7% (1) and anterior chest wall 50% (3). For stage II, 5.9% had metastasis to the lung, 16.7% had spread to the spine and 16.7% had anterior chest wall recurrence. Distant recurrence remains common and incurable. Early recognition of metastatic breast disease will allow rapid institution of effective palliative treatment.