Testicular schistosomiasis mimicking hydrocele in a child: a case report.

Schistosomiasis is a disease of profound public health importance worldwide. Testicular schistosomiasis (TS) is however still considered as a rare entity despite the burden of the disease. We report a case of a 9 year old male who presented with features suggestive of testicular hydrocele. The spermatic cord and testis were seen as thickened lesion on examination and a biopsy taken revealed calcified ova of Schistosoma haematobium. This is being reported to enhance increased suspicion amongst surgeons in cases of testicular masses within endemic settings like Nigeria.

Breast Cancer in a Lagos Facility: Implications for the Institution of a Cancer Screening Programme.

OBJECTIVE: There are significant epidemiological and biological differences between breast cancer in blacks and whites which have wide-reaching implications for the institution of an effective cancer screening programme in Nigeria. The aim of this study was to describe the clinicopathologic features of breast cancer diagnosed in our facility and to discuss their implications for cancer screening. METHODS: A retrospective review of the forms, slides, and results of breast cancer cases received in our facility over an 8-year period was carried out, as well as a systematic review of the characteristics of breast cancer in Nigeria, Africa, the US, and the UK. RESULT: A total of 832 cancers were seen with a mean age of 49 years. Most cases (97%) were invasive ductal carcinomas not otherwise specified, high grade (41.9%), and unassociated with ductal carcinoma in situ (52.3%). Triple-negative tumors were the commonest immunohistochemical type seen (42.1%), and these were less likely to have an intraductal component (p = 0.0048). Luminal-type tumours were more likely to be low grade (p = 0.0005). The majority of cases presented in advanced stages with no statistically significant difference among the different immunohistochemical subtypes (p = 0.7949). CONCLUSION: The significant epidemiological and biological differences between breast cancer in Lagos and in western populations are important for the establishment of an effective breast cancer screening programme uniquely tailored for the Nigerian population.

Cancer mortality pattern in lagos university teaching hospital, lagos, Nigeria.

Background. Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide and about 70% of all cancer deaths occurred in low- and middle-income countries. The cancer mortality pattern is quite different in Africa compared to other parts of the world. Extensive literature research showed little or no information about the overall deaths attributable to cancer in Nigeria. Aims and Objectives. This study aims at providing data on the patterns of cancer deaths in our center using the hospital and autopsy death registers. Methodology. Demographic, clinical data of patients who died of cancer were extracted from death registers in the wards and mortuary over a period of 14 years (2000-2013). Results. A total of 1436 (4.74%) cancer deaths out of 30287 deaths recorded during the period. The male to female ratio was 1 : 2.2 and the peak age of death was between 51 and 60 years. Overall, breast cancer was responsible for most of the deaths. Conclusion. The study shows that the cancers that accounted for majority of death occurred in organs that were accessible to screening procedures and not necessary for survival. We advise regular screening for precancerous lesions in these organs so as to reduce the mortality rate and burden of cancer.