Methodology for processing mastectomy and cryopreservation of breast cancer tissue in a resource- poor setting: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: There is scarcity of breast cancer tissues derived from women of African origin available for patient - derived xenograft and organoid models. OBJECTIVE: We aim to create a versatile protocol for processing mastectomy and cryopreservation of breast cancer tissue. METHODOLOGY: An immediate collection of breast cancer tissue from mastectomy was bathed in 4 °C HBSS and immediately transferred to 4 °C RPMI1640 containing HEPES, 10% FBS, Streptomycin and Penicillin. Tissues were processed over ice yielding nine samples of cold ischemic time (20-45 min) stored at 3 min interval. Cut samples were transferred into cryovials containing 4 °C cryoprotectant agent (90% FBS +10% Me2SO) before snap -freezing in liquid Nitrogen vapour and final short-term storage in -80 °C Freezer. The histomorphology, tissue and molecular viability were assessed. RESULTS: The cold ischemic times had no detrimental effect to the nine samples despite being processed in a resource poor setting, hence providing a reproducible and reliable protocol.

A Rare Case of Xanthogranulomatous Cystitis Mimicking Bladder Malignancy in Nigeria: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

Xanthogranulomatous cystitis (XC) is a very rare urinary bladder condition, of unknown etiology. It may mimic bladder malignancy; therefore, histopathologic assessment is crucial in diagnosis. We report a case of a 38-year-old female who presented with persistent, painless hematuria and a strong consideration of bladder malignancy clinically and on cystoscopy. However, on histopathologic evaluation, the rare diagnosis of XC was made. She received a course of antibiotics and has remained asymptomatic after four months of follow-up. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of XC in Nigeria and Africa.

Predictive and prognostic relevance of immunohistochemical testing of estrogen and progesterone receptors in breast cancer in South East Nigeria: A review of 417 cases.

ER/PgR testing are now routinely performed in breast cancer evaluation in Southeastern Nigeria. ER is predictive to show beneficiaries of hormonal therapy and a prognostic marker to establish tumors that will resist paclitaxel induced apoptosis so a cost effective combination of anthracylines can be used as treatment in our low resource setting thus improving survival, reducing recurrence, and cost. Four hundred seventeen cases of breast cancer seen over a period of 3 years were routinely tested for ER/PgR. ER positivity was defined as nuclear positivity of 1% in the presence of internal and external controls. Four hundred seventeen patients with Ductal Carcinoma participated. Majority were females 98.3%. Majority 60.2% were between 31 and 50 years old. Mean age was 33.5 ± 6.4 years. Two hundred fifty-seven (61.6%) were positive both for ER/PgR. 70.3% of age group 41-50 years had positive ER, age groups 20-30, and >70 years had positive ER also. ER positive cancer was 60.2%. Fifty-seven were 1%-9% positive. Most positive estrogen receptors were seen between 41 and 50 years at 70.3%. Least was seen at 31-40 years at 51.4%. Study provides an objective basis for using hormonal manipulation and makes cost affordable with appropriate chemotherapeutic agents in our low resource setting. Presentations were typically late. Seventy-six percent of stage 2 disease survived after 6 years compared with only 56% of stage 2 disease prior to immunotyping and radiotherapy in 2007. Both stage 3 and 4 had remarkable survival too at 55% and 33% respectively when compared with 2007 figures at 33% for stage 3 and 9.2% at stage 4.