Case Series: Auto-Amputation of the Breast in Patients with Advanced Breast Cancer

Authors

  • Solomon N Elenwo Department of Surgery, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital
  • Alex A Dimoko Department of Surgery, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital
  • Rex F Ijah Department of Surgery, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.60787/tnhj.v20i2.473

Keywords:

Breast cancer, Auto-amputation, Breast

Abstract

Background: Breast auto-amputation has been reported in a few articles and it seems to be uncommon, with cases in literature reported in Israel, India, Turkey and South Africa. The aim is to report a case-series of observed breast auto-amputation in patients with advanced breast cancer between 2016 and 2019 at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital.

Materials and Methods: Information was obtained from patients’ medical records.

Results: Three cases were presented. Case 1 was a 58year old female with histologic diagnosis of ductal carcinoma of the breast who defaulted for three years, represented in advanced stage, and latter had auto-amputation of the breast while on chemotherapy.

Conclusion: There appear to be an emerging need to emphasize on the dangers of delayed breast cancer treatment in favor of alternative care. Inability to afford conventional cancer care is a common denominator in this case-series.

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Author Biographies

Solomon N Elenwo, Department of Surgery, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital

Department of Surgery; Consultant Surgeon

Alex A Dimoko, Department of Surgery, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital

Department of Surgery; Consultant Surgeon

Rex F Ijah, Department of Surgery, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital

Department of Surgery; Senior Registrar

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Published

2020-10-08

How to Cite

Elenwo, S. N., Dimoko, A. A., & Ijah, R. F. (2020). Case Series: Auto-Amputation of the Breast in Patients with Advanced Breast Cancer. The Nigerian Health Journal, 20(2), 72–77. https://doi.org/10.60787/tnhj.v20i2.473

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Section

Case Report and Series
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