Clinicopathologic characteristics of early-onset breast cancer: a comparative analysis of cases from across Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the commonest cancer diagnosed globally and the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women younger than 40 years. This study comparatively reviewed the demographic, pathologic and molecular features of Early-Onset Breast Cancer (EOBC) reported in Ghana in relation to Late Onset Breast Cancer (LOBC). METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional design was used, with purposive sampling of retrospective histopathology data from 2019 to 2021. Reports of core or incision biopsy, Wide Local Excision or Mastectomy with or without axillary lymph node dissection specimen and matched immunohistochemistry reports were merged into a single file and analysed with SPSS v. 20.0. Descriptive statistics of frequencies and percentages were used to describe categorical variables. Cross-tabulation and chi-square test was done at a 95% confidence interval with significance established at p < 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 2418 cases were included in the study with 20.2% (488 cases) being EOBCs and 79.8% (1930 cases) being LOBCs. The median age at diagnosis was 34.66 (IQR: 5.55) in the EOBC group (< 40 years) and 54.29 (IQR: 16.86) in the LOBC group (≥ 40 years). Invasive carcinoma-No Special Type was the commonest tumour type with grade III tumours being the commonest in both categories of patients. Perineural invasion was the only statistically significant pathologic parameter with age. EOBC was associated with higher DCIS component (24.8% vs 21.6%), lower hormone-receptor-positive status (52.30% vs 55.70%), higher proliferation index (Ki-67 > 20: 82.40% vs 80.30%) and a higher number of involved lymph nodes (13.80% vs 9.00%). Triple-Negative Breast cancer (26.40% vs 24.30%) was the most predominant molecular subtype of EOBC. CONCLUSION: EOBCs in our setting are generally more aggressive with poorer prognostic histopathological and molecular features when compared with LOBCs. A larger study is recommended to identify the association between relevant pathological features and early onset breast cancer in Ghana. Again, further molecular and genetic studies to understand the molecular genetic drivers of the general poorer pathological features of EOBCs and its relation to patient outcome in our setting is needed.

Antibiotics for Groin Hernia Repair According to Evidence-Based Guidelines: Time for Action in Ghana.

BACKGROUD: Groin hernia repairs (GHR), though classified as clean surgeries, are associated with varying rates of surgical site infections. We assessed the practices of surgeons in Ghana regarding antibiotic use for GHR in comparison to evidence-based international guidelines (EBIG). METHODS: We interviewed surgeons trained by the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons (GCPS), from inception (2003) through 2016, about their use of antibiotics for GHR. We defined the outcome variable of consistently following EBIG in antibiotics use for GHR. Logistic regression was used to examine how a priori selected covariates contributed to the outcome. RESULTS: Eighty-two of 117 surgeons reported performing/supervising at least one GHR per week. They performed/supervised a mean of five GHR per week. Thirty-two (40%) reported using mesh for at least 50% of GHR. For primary GHR, 75% of surgeons administered antibiotics according to EBIG, whereas for GHR with mesh only, 45% did so. Predictors of consistently following EBIG were increasing number of GHR performed per week (adjusted odds ratio 1.44, 95% CI 1.07-1.96) and increasing time spent for clinical work (adjusted odds ratio 0.95, 95% CI 0.91-0.99). Years of practice since GCPS graduation, total operations performed per week, and hospital level of practice were not predictive of the outcome variable. CONCLUSIONS: Two-thirds of Ghanaian surgeons interviewed do not consistently administer antibiotics for GHR per EBIG, raising the need to improve access to evidence-based medical information overall to guide practice. Determining local surgical site infections rates to guide antibiotic use in GHR will be useful in Ghana and other LMICs.

In-Country Training by the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons: An Initiative that has Aided Surgeon Retention and Distribution in Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Prior to 2003, production of new surgeons in Ghana was limited. In 2003, the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons (GCPS) initiated the first wholly in-country training and credentialing of surgeons. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of in-country training of surgeons in Ghana. METHODS: We interviewed 117 (80%) of the 146 surgeons trained through the GCPS from inception through 2016. We gathered data on type of training, practice location, clinical workload, and administrative and teaching roles. Operations were categorized into those deemed essential (most cost-effective, highest population impact) by the World Bank's Disease Control Priorities project versus other. RESULTS: In-country retention was 87-97%. A little more than half (56%) were working in the two largest cities and 44% were working in higher need areas. Twenty-two (19%) were the first surgeon to have worked at their current hospital. The surgeons performed a mean of 13 operations per week (seven electives, six emergencies). 35% of elective and 77% of emergency operations were in the essential category. Most (79%) surgeons were engaged in training/teaching; 46% were engaged in research; and 33% held an administrative office. CONCLUSIONS: In-country surgical training has led to high retention and wide geographic distribution, including high need areas. The in-country trained surgeons are playing key roles in clinical practice, training, and administration. These data provide support for investments in similar efforts in other low- and middle-income countries.

Surgical oncology at a major referral center in Ghana: Burden, staging, and outcomes.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Outcome data after surgery for cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa are insufficient. We aimed to describe the presentation and outcomes of patients with solid cancers managed at a tertiary hospital in Ghana. METHODS: Records of cancer patients admitted to Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital general surgery wards from 2013 to 2016 were reviewed for data on presentation, staging, management, and mortality. Patients discharged alive were followed-up by biannual telephone calls to establish their postdischarge status. Survival analysis was performed for patients with pathologic or radiologic confirmation of cancer and adequate staging. RESULTS: A total of 343 patients were included. Of these, 76% were female. The most common diagnoses were breast 136 (40%), foregut 70 (20%), and colorectal 63 (18%) cancers. Cancer diagnosis was confirmed by pathology or radiology in 281 (82%) patients, but only 112 (40%) had adequate staging. Seventy-four (66%) patients were stage IV. Two-year overall survival for all 343 patients was 22% to 69%, depending on cancer site. Among those with adequate staging who were alive after postoperative 90 days, 3-year survival was similar for curative compared with palliative operations (P = 0.64). CONCLUSIONS: Improved capacity for both therapeutic and palliative cancer care is needed to achieve better outcomes by more appropriate allocation of surgery with respect to the goal of treatment.

Duodenal stenosis in adult malrotation: When Ladd procedure is not enough: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Congenital causes of duodenal obstruction can be grouped into intrinsic and extrinsic causes. The degree of obstruction caused by such etiologies determines the severity and timing of symptom presentation. Early neonatal diagnosis is common in patients with etiologies that present with high degrees of obstruction such as atresia whereas etiologies that cause lesser degrees of obstruction such as malrotation and duodenal stenosis can go undiagnosed into adulthood. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We report a case of a 24-year-old female who presented with acute on chronic abdominal pain with bilious vomiting. She was diagnosed with intermittent small bowel volvulus which resolved spontaneously but was found to have adult intestinal malrotation diagnosed intraoperatively. She had a Ladd procedure done but had persistent obstructive small bowel symptoms after the Ladd procedure. She was found to have duodenal stenosis from fibrosis of the duodenum on relaparotomy which was treated surgically with Heineke-Mikulicz strictureplasty leading to total resolution of symptoms. DISCUSSION: Congenital extrinsic and intrinsic causes of partial duodenal obstruction such as Ladd bands in malrotation and duodenal stenosis respectively, can co-exist and persist into adulthood due to their lesser symptomatology and degree of obstruction. Surgical treatment must identify and correct both conditions when they co-exist to ensure complete resolution of symptoms. CONCLUSION: This case report highlights the association of duodenal stenosis with adult malrotation which may account for persistent symptoms after the Ladd procedure and suggests the use of Heineke-Mikulicz strictureplasty as a complementary procedure for complete symptom resolution.

Triage capabilities of medical trainees in Ghana using the South African triage scale: an opportunity to improve emergency care.

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of emergency conditions is increasing worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, triage and emergency care training has not been prioritized in LMICs. We aimed to assess the reliability and validity of the South African Triage Scale (SATS) when used by providers not specifically trained in SATS, as well as to compare triage capabilities between senior medical students and senior house officers to examine the effectiveness of our curriculum for house officer training with regards to triage. METHODS: Sixty each of senior medical students and senior house officers who had not undergone specific triage or SATS training were asked to triage 25 previously validated emergency vignettes using the SATS. Estimates of reliability and validity were calculated. Additionally, over- and under-triage, as well as triage performance between the medical students and house officers was assessed against a reference standard. RESULTS: Fifty-nine senior medical students (98% response rate) and 43 senior house officers (72% response rate) completed the survey (84% response rate overall). A total of 2,550 triage assignments were included in the analysis (59 medical student and 43 house officer triage assignments for 25 vignettes each; 1,475 and 1,075 triage assignments, respectively). Inter-rater reliability was moderate (quadratically weighted κ 0.59 and 0.60 for medical students and house officers, respectively). Triage using SATS performed by these groups had low sensitivity (medical students: 54%, 95% CI 49-59; house officers: 55%, 95% CI 48-60) and moderate specificity (medical students: 84%, 95% CI 82 - 89; house officers: 84%, 95% CI 82 - 97). Both groups under-triaged most 'emergency' level vignette patients (i.e. SATS Red; 80 and 82% for medical students and house officers, respectively). There was no difference between the groups for any metric. CONCLUSION: Although the SATS has proven utility in a number of different settings in LMICs, its success relies on its use by trained providers. Given the large and growing burden of emergency conditions, training current and future emergency care providers in triage is imperative.