Breast Lesions in Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia: A Retrospective Study

A breast lesion is an unusual development in the breast tissue that typically appears as a lump or swelling. It encompasses a wide range of disorders, from benign to malignant, posing significant health challenges globally.

The study was a retrospective study conducted at King Fahad Specialist Hospital (KFSH), Buraidah, Qassim region in Saudi Arabia between March 10, 2017, and April 2, 2024. Data was cleaned, coded, and analyzed using SPSS version 27.

The results revealed that most (639 (79.7%)) patients had symptomatic clinical presentations, with breast lump (470 (73.5%)) being the main presenting symptom. The majority (565 (70.4%)) of the patients presented malignant conditions, while 237 (29.6%) presented benign conditions. Of the patients who presented benign conditions, more than half (131 (55.3%)) were fibroadenoma benign lesions. Stage IIB cancer was the most common, constituting 192 (33.9%) of the patients. No complications were reported in the majority (480 (85.0%)).

The study revealed a considerably high prevalence of malignant conditions among patients. Fibroadenoma was the most common breast lesion type, followed by intra-ductal papilloma and benign phyllodes. Age and BMI were found to be the risk factors that predicted the development of breast cancers. Knowledge and awareness of the prevalence, risk factors, and treatment of breast illnesses, as well as early screening and diagnosis, promote better patient outcomes and healthcare delivery.