Breast cancer - Clinicopathological profile at a Tertiary Cancer Center in India

The demographic characteristics of breast cancer patients from disparate geographical regions vary considerably. Accordingly, the objective of this study was to present the clinicopathological features of breast cancer patients at our center and to conduct a comparative analysis with the findings of other studies. This retrospective descriptive study, which included 816 patients registered in the two years between October 2021 and September 2023, was conducted in the Department of Medical Oncology at a government tertiary cancer care center in southern India. At the initial presentation, the median age was 49 years, with the majority of patients being postmenopausal. The most common presenting complaint was a breast lump, which was reported in 636 cases (77.9%). Additionally, 115 cases (14.09%) involved axillary edema. A family history of breast cancer was evident in 19.9% (162/816) of the patients. Of the patients, 594 (72.8%) exhibited hormone receptor positivity. Of the total number of cases, 202 (nearly 25%) were positive for HER2/neu by FISH or IHC. A total of 178 patients (21.9%) were diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). The majority of patients (46.8%) presented at a late stage, classified as Stage III. In cases of stage IV disease, there was a greater prevalence of skeletal metastases (40.3%) compared to visceral metastases. The present study offers insight into the current state of breast cancer patients in Southern India. The majority of patients were postmenopausal. Additionally, there has been an observed increase in the number of patients with hormone receptor-positive tumors, accompanied by a higher prevalence of metastatic disease involving skeletal metastasis compared to other sites. It is imperative to enhance awareness about breast cancer, assuage apprehensions, and disseminate information about the significance of screening, prompt diagnosis, and treatment. Such studies provide a foundation for understanding the extent of the problem and facilitate the identification of potential solutions.