A clinicopathologic study of breast lumps in Bhairahwa, Nepal

Various types of lesion from inflammation to carcinoma can affect breast. Some lesions are common in young females while others in elderly age group. Early presentation and prompt diagnosis is essential to relieve anxiety of non-neoplastic conditions, and in case of carcinoma, it can save the patient from metastases. Many cases related to breast lesions from the region are reported in the surgery clinics of this institute and various breast diseases are being managed in the clinical departments. Analysis of pattern and prevalence will be a valuable guideline for clinicians of this location to compare with that of others.

In the retrospective clinical study during 9 years period, the cases of breast lesions and lumps underwent fine needle aspiration cytology. Pap staining was done in alcohol fixed smears. The doubtful cases 65 were diagnosed through histopathological examinations by conventional method of fixation, processing and staining with routine hematoxylin and eosin. The cases with undetermined and inconclusive material were excluded from the study.

In the study of total 243 cases, inflammatory conditions 22.6%, fibrocystic change 41.2%, fibroadenoma 21.8%, other benign breast disease 4.5%, gynaecomastia 2.5% and carcinoma 7.4% were detected.

Fibrocystic change was the commonest lesion in this study with 33 years as the average age of presentation. However, malignancy was detected above 40 years of age.