RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: This report details the results of the first breast cancer (BC) prevalence study done in Djibouti, a small country in the Horn of Africa. The study was done in the Surgical Department of Balbala Hospital (also known as the Italian Hospital). PATIENTS AND METHODS: 102 female patients with clinical BC were evaluated between 2012 and 2017. All patients came directly to the hospital without a prior referral. Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) was carried out on all suspected lesions representing 40.6 % of patients. A biopsy was carried out on all clinically evident lesions. RESULTS: Following histopathological confirmation for all patients, 86 women (84,31%) accepted surgical procedure and clinico-histopathological staging was possible. 16 (15.69%) women refused surgery. There are no radiotherapy and chemotherapy facilities in Djibouti however hormonal therapy, Tamoxifen, is available. CONCLUSIONS: The Italian Government built the Hospital in 1985 in Balbala, a District of Djibouti Ville ,with a population of over 250.000. It is an example of a successful cooperation between Italy and Djibouti in the health sector. Following a long period of assistance and support from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Hospital is now taken completely managed by the Ministry of Health of Djibouti . The hospital is one of the main referral hospitals in the country. Better provision of information to the local population and medical general practitioner about breast cancer would improve diagnosis, the treatment and the overall prognosis of this disease. KEY WORDS: Breast Cancer, Epidemiology, Surgery, Italian Balbala Hospital Djibouti.