Breast cancer in women under the age of 35: About 21 cases

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is a serious disease. Its incidence in young women is constantly increasing. The objective of the study is to analyze the epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic and prognostic characteristics of breast cancer in young women under 35 years-old. Method: This is a retrospective study about 21 cases of patients aged less than 35 years treated in the gynecology and obstetrics department of the university hospital Mohammed VI of Oujda, Morocco between January 2015 and December 2018. Results: The frequency of breast cancer in young women under 35 was 12.7% in our center. The age average was 31.5 years. 38% had a family history of cancer and among them, 28% had a family history of breast cancer, 5% of endometrial cancer and 5% of colon cancer. The self-examination of a nodule was predominant (57.1%). T3 tumors were the most common (43%), followed by T4 tumors (33%). 24% were immediately metastatic with predominantly pulmonary locations (48%). It was invasive carcinoma of nospecial type in 43% of cases, with predominance of SBR grade II and III (84%). Hormone receptors were positive in 57% of cases and no overexpression of HER2 was found. 18 patients underwent surgery, radical in 61% of cases. 18 had a locoregional irradiation, 58.8% received adjuvant chemotherapy. Hormonal therapy was prescribed in 66.6% of cases. After an average follow-up of 14.7 months, 40% presented relapses. The overall 3-years survival was 38% and the relapse-free survival 40%. Conclusion:Our series joins the data of the literature pleading in favor of the more advanced forms and the more unfavorable prognosis of breast cancer in young patients.