Exploring the Role of Immunohistochemistry as a Complementary Diagnostic Tool in Burundi

This study investigates the variability in cancer diagnosis across different tissues and organs, with a focus on the role of diagnostic methods such as Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining and immunohistochemistry (IHC). The predominance of female breast cancer (30%) aligns with global trends, underscoring the need for robust diagnostic protocols, particularly in developing regions. Other prevalent cancers, including skin, stomach, and cervix uteri, reflect a mix of environmental, genetic, and infectious factors. The underrepresentation of gallbladder and thyroid cancers (<1%) suggests potential underdiagnosis or lower prevalence. Age distribution data indicate peak cancer incidence in individuals aged 31 - 45 years, with gender-specific cancers like breast and cervical cancer predominantly affecting females (63.4%). The analysis also highlights significant diagnostic gaps, as 61.2% of cases did not undergo IHC testing due to resource constraints, leading to potential biases in cancer prevalence and diagnostic accuracy. The study emphasizes the complementary role of IHC in confirming ambiguous H&E findings, with strong alignment observed when both methods were used. However, the absence of IHC in many cases limits the robustness of conclusions, suggesting the need for increased access to IHC testing. The findings advocate for integrating IHC into routine diagnostics, expanding diagnostic capabilities, and improving sample sizes to ensure more reliable and comprehensive cancer data.