Tumors of the Armpit: Diagnostic, Therapeutic and Prognostic Aspects in an African Cancer Institute

Abstract

Objective: To report cases of armpit tumors in a retrospective study from 2010, January to 2015, December, to determine their diagnostic, therapeutic and prognosis aspect at Joliot Curie Cancer Center in Dakar.Results: It was about 8 cases of axillary tumors with a sex ratio of 1 and a mean age of 48 years. The consultation delay was of 2 years. Histology showed 1 high-grade nerve tumor, 1malignant schwannoma, 1 undifferentiated sarcoma, 1 Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in a man and 2 carcinomas with unknown primary. In 2 patients, we found 2 infiltrating ductal carcinomas of axillary breast. Surgical treatment consisted of 3 surgical resections, 2 disarticulations of the shoulder. Follow-up was marked by 1 lymphedema after resection in 1 patient and a survival rate of 25% after 16 months of follow up. Conclusion:Axillary tumors are rare. Histological types are various. Surgery is the main treatment. Prognosis is improved by chemotherapy and radiation therapy for relative lesions.