Journal of Antivirals & Antiretrovirals
Open Access

Abstract

Co Morbidity of HIV and Breast Cancer: A One Year Multicentric Pilot Study in Cameroon

Enow Orock GE, Enow Orock A, Egbe OT, Takang W, Noubom M, Tassang A, Halle EG

Background: Breast cancer is a common cancer in women worldwide and in Cameroon but the global number of breast cancers in WLWHA is not known. Although the disease is not AIDS-defining, and albeit the decrease in the national prevalence of HIV infection in the past few years in Cameroon, patients with HIV-related malignancies, especially breast cancer are frequent. There is enormous challenge in the management of these patients in our setting. Both diseases respectively and collectively, have a high morbidity and mortality.  Few studies on the profile of patients with both HIV infection and breast cancer have been carried out in our setting, whereas their Knowledge is essential in the short and long term management strategies for both diseases. 

Aim: This study was aimed at finding the factors associated with co morbidity of HIV and breast cancer. Materials and methods: A one year prospective, cross-sectional, multi-centre pilot study in 5 hospitals across 3 regions of Cameroon. Vital data on the patients and data concerning both HIV infection and breast cancer respectively were assembled and analysed.

Results: We found 71 patients with malignant breast lesions and a concomitant co-infection of HIV. The Standardised Incidence Ratio (SIR) of breast cancer amongst HIV positive patients compared to breast cancer in the general population did not show any significant incidence of the disease in the latter group. The patients ranged in age between 14 and 72 years (median age = 40+ 12) and 45% were less than 40 years of age. About 3% were males, while 32% were unemployed and 55% were married. Majority (59%) had secondary education and beyond. The main breast lesion was an invasive duct carcinoma (56.3%), followed by a lobular carcinoma (11.27%).  HIV serotype I was predominant (61%) and in 24% of cases there was type 1 and 2 co-infection. Majority (45%) had CD4 counts between 200 and 499 cells/mm3 and were diagnosed at advanced cancer stage (69%). The average HIV/cancer transition time was 2.7 years. 

Conclusion: HIV breast cancer comorbidity is common and the relation between the diseases remains complex. Further studies are recommended to find out factors associated with and how they influence this relationship. 

Published Date: 2020-04-27; Received Date: 2020-04-14