Breast Cancer Reporting in Lagos, Nigeria: Implications for Training and Education in Africa

PurposeTo assess the completeness and accuracy of breast cancer pathologic reporting in Nigeria.Materials and MethodsThe histologic parameters provided in breast cancer pathology reports at a large teaching hospital in Nigeria were assessed. The corresponding slides were reviewed after the United Kingdom Royal College of Pathologists guidelines, and results were compared.ResultsOut of 115 breast cancer cases, histologic type of breast carcinoma was concordant with the review type in 53.1% of cases and discordant in 46.9%. Grading was stated in 89.62% of cases, of which 50.5% were correctly graded, 35.8% were under-graded, and 8.5% were over-graded. Poor fixation and omission of the mitotic count were the main reasons for discordant grades. A comment on lymph node status was included in 40% of cases, and lymphovascular invasion was not commented on in 97.4% of cases. Only 26% of the tumors had hormone receptors and/or HER2 tested.ConclusionSome essential histologic parameters were absent from the histologi...