Clinicopathological profile, therapeutic management and 5-year survival of patients with HER2-positive breast cancer at Douala General Hospital

Abstract

Background: HER2-positive breast cancer is an aggressive subtype associated with a high risk of progression and mortality. In Cameroon, its prognosis is influenced by late diagnosis and limited access to targeted therapies. This study aimed to describe the clinicopathological profile, therapeutic management and five-year survival of patients with HER2-positive breast cancer at Douala General Hospital.

Methods: We conducted a hospital-based, observational, retrospective cohort study with descriptive and analytical components from January 2021 to December 2025 at Douala General Hospital. A total of 260 patients with HER2-positive breast cancer were included, and sociodemographic, clinicopathological, therapeutic and outcome data were collected from medical records. Overall survival was assessed over five years, and predictors of mortality were investigated using Cox regression.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 45.36 ± 10.91 years, and the 18-44-year age group was the most represented (52.3%). Cancer was mainly discovered following a breast lump (86.9%). Stage III disease was the most frequent (58.5%), followed by stage IV disease (28.1%). Invasive ductal carcinoma accounted for 91.9% of cancer cases. Neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy was performed in 76.5% of patients, while targeted therapies were administered in 43.5%. The mortality rate was 33.8%. Overall survival gradually decreased to approximately 36% in 2025. The independent predictors of mortality were unmarried status (aHR = 0.44; p = 0.012), presence of comorbidities (aHR = 0.42; p = 0.019), metastases at diagnosis (aHR = 1.97; p = 0.046), breast surgery (aHR = 2.30; p = 0.008) and radiotherapy (AHR = 2.60; p = 0.017).

Conclusion: HER2-positive breast cancer mainly affected young women, with a predominance of locally advanced and metastatic forms. The mortality rate was high, and the overall survival rate decreased by half after five years.

Keywords: breast cancer, HER2-positive, overall survival, mortality, predictors, Douala.

Received Date: June 19, 2026

Accepted Date: July 10, 2026

Published Date: August 01, 2026

Available Online at: https://www.ijsrisjournal.com/index.php/ojsfiles/article/view/886