Breast Cancer-Associated Emergencies at a Tertiary Hospital in Ghana

Breast Cancer-Associated Emergencies in Ghana

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DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4314/ysvpas82

Abstract

Background: People with breast cancer present late to health facilities leading to increased morbidity and mortality. A significant proportion of emergency department (ED) admissions are due to breast cancer-related emergencies. This study aimed at assessing the clinico-pathologic characteristics of patients presenting to the emergency department with breast cancer-associated emergencies.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional retrospective review of all breast cancer emergencies managed at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2023. The medical records of patients treated for emergencies associated with breast cancer at the emergency and the oncology units were reviewed retrospectively, and data was analyzed. Continuous variables were presented as means and standard deviations. Frequencies and percentages were used to describe categorical variables and compared using the Chi-square test.

Results: A total of 175 patients presented with breast cancer (histologically confirmed) associated emergencies at the oncology or emergency units. The majority were 171(97.7%) females. The age ranged from 24 to 91 years, with a median age of 51. Dyspnoea was the most common presenting complaint (41.7%). Distant metastasis to the chest (43%) was the most common diagnosis (lung parenchyma 16%, Pleural cavity 18.9%, and lung plus pleura 8%).

Conclusion: The most common reason for breast cancer patients presenting to the emergency department is dyspnoea, with the predominant region of distant spread being the chest. The length of stay of these patients at the ED could have economic implications, and early presentation, detection and treatment of breast cancer can mitigate this problem.

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Author Biographies

  • Samuel Mensah , Department of Surgery, School of Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology(KNUST)

    Dr Samuel Mensah is a Senior Lecturer and General Surgeon at the School of Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), and at the University Hospital, KNUST. He holds fellowships of the Ghana College of Surgeons (FGCS) and the West African College of Surgeons (FWACS). His clinical and academic interests centre on Surgical Oncology, with a particular emphasis on breast and gastrointestinal cancers. He trains specialists at both the Ghana College and the West African College of Surgeons. He is the acting head of clinical care at the University Hospital and also a member of Precision Medicine for Aggressive Breast Cancer (PMABC).

  • Ishmael Kyei, Department of Surgery, School of Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology(KNUST)

    Ishmael Kyei is an Associate Professor of surgery at the School of Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and also work as a General Surgeon and Breast Surgeon at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi. His research interest is in Breast cancer in women of African descent and serves as the PI at the Ghana site of the International Center for the Study of Breast Cancer Subtypes (ICSBCS) and the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital site PI for the African Breast Cancer Screening (ABCS) Study.

  • Chris Oppong, Directorate of Emergency Medicine, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana

    A product of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) School of Medical Sciences and a Fellow of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons. He is a Specialist Emergency Physician at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) Emergency Medicine Directorate in Ghana. He is the Head of the emergency department. He is also a part-time lecturer at the College of Health Science (KNUST), an Instructor at the Ghana National Ambulance Training School, which trains Emergency medical technicians.

    He is a faculty member of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons Emergency Medicine Department. The faculty trains Emergency medicine specialists under the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons. He is married and has 2 sons. He enjoys watching football, documentaries and doing research.

  • Michael Ofoe Adinku, Department of Surgery, School of Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology(KNUST)

    Michael Ofoe Adinku is a product of the School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, and a Fellow of both the West African College of Surgeons and the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons. He is a General Surgeon and Senior Lecturer in the Department of Surgery, College of Health Sciences at KNUST.

    His areas of interest include oncologic breast surgery and colorectal surgery. He is a member of the International Centre for the Study of Breast Cancer Subtypes ( ICSBCS ), the SAMBAI project and the Ghana colorectal DANCE Africa project .

  • Prince Boadu Owusu, Directorate of Surgery , Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana

    Dr. Prince Boadu Owusu is a Senior Resident in the Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana. His clinical interests include trauma outcomes, fracture fixation, pediatric orthopaedics and health systems management. His focus is on improving functional outcomes and quality of life following injuries. He has participated in several hospital based clinical research initiatives aimed at enhancing patient and surgical outcomes. His academic interests encompass clinical research, quality improvement and orthopaedic education. He is committed to advancing evidence-based orthopaedic practice in Ghana and sub-Saharan Africa

  • Joshua Shiako, Directorate of Surgery , Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana

    Dr Joshua Shiako is a Resident Doctor at Nuffield Health Warwickshire Hospital, United Kingdom. He trained in Ghana, where he spent over three years as a Medical Officer at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, gaining broad experience across general surgery, trauma and orthopaedics, and plastic surgery. He holds Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS) and a Master of Public Health, and remains an affiliated researcher with Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. His research interests include breast cancer outcomes in resource-limited settings, surgical audit against national guidelines, and improving timely access to cancer and trauma care. He has authored several peer-reviewed publications spanning oncology and orthopaedic surgery.

  • Matilda Alambirigo, Biostatistics Unit, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana.

    Ms. Matilda Alambirigo, BSc (Statistics), MPH, is Head of Biostatistics in the Oncology Department at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Kumasi, Ghana. At KATH, she leads data management and advanced statistical analyses for observational studies, strengthens cancer registry systems, and collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to translate evidence into improved patient outcomes. Her research interests span non-communicable and infectious diseases, with a focus on study design, survival analysis, and data‑driven decision‑making in oncology care. She is committed to research integrity and capacity building through mentorship and training of researchers and clinical staff.

  • Joseph Yorke, Department of Surgery, School of Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology(KNUST)

    Prof Joseph Yorke is a Professor of Surgery at the School of Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, KNUST, and a consultant general surgeon at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. He is a full Professor and holds fellowships with the Bavarian College of Surgeons, Ghana, and the West African College of Surgeons. His special interest is in colorectal surgery, and he has published extensively in this field. He has trained and mentored many members and fellows in surgery, as well as others in academia. He has served as an examiner for both the Ghana and West African College of Surgeons for many years and is the immediate past Head of the Department of Surgery.

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Published

2026-08-31

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 Online first articles 

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How to Cite

Breast Cancer-Associated Emergencies at a Tertiary Hospital in Ghana: Breast Cancer-Associated Emergencies in Ghana. (2026). Journal of Science and Technology, 35-43. https://doi.org/10.4314/ysvpas82

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