Pattern of Bone Metastasis in Breast Cancer Patients at a Radiotherapy Facility in Lagos

Aim: To determine the pattern of bone metastasis in breast cancer patients.
Study Design: Retrospective case series
Place and Duration of Study: Data were collected at Eko Hospital radiotherapy facility, Lagos, Nigeria, between years 2006 and 2011.
Methodology: A total of 67 patients with a histologically confirmed diagnosis of breast cancer from 2006 to 2011 treated at a radiotherapy facility were analysed to describe the pattern of bone metastasis. Radiological imaging included chest X-ray, X-rays of the bone, bone scan, and Computed Tomography scan (CT scan).
Result: Of the 67 eligible breast cancer patients, one is male and 66 are female. The average age of the patients was 46 years old, ranging from 28 to 77 year old. Among the 67 patients who received radiotherapy, 58 (87%) have bone metastases. The most common sites of bone metastases are spine (61%), pelvis (22%), and long bones (22%). Among the 32 patients without metastasis at presentation, the median duration from diagnosis to onset of symptoms of bone metastasis was 16.5 months, ranging from 5 to 38 months. Thirty-one patients had osteoblastic lesions, 24 patients had osteolytic lesions, and 2 patients had mixed osteolytic and osteoblastic lesions.
Conclusion: Bone metastasis remains common and incurable. Early recognition and better description of bone relapse patterns of metastatic breast disease will allow rapid administration of effective palliative treatment.