<p>Clinicopathological Characteristics And Treatment Outcomes Of Breast Cancer Among Adolescents And Young Adults In A Developing Country</p>

Abstract

PurposeCompared to Western societies, breast cancer diagnosis in our region is usually made at a younger age and at a more advanced stage. Breast cancer in younger patients tends to be more aggressive, and may result in a higher likelihood of long-term treatment-related toxicity and unique psychosocial problems. This study highlights the clinicopathological features and treatment outcomes in this age-group in a developing country like ours.MethodsConsecutive patients aged 40 years or younger with a pathologically confirmed diagnosis of breast cancer treated and followed up at our institution were included. Medical records and hospital databases were searched for patients’ characteristics and treatment outcomes.ResultsA total of 417 patients were enrolled. Median age at diagnosis was 35 (21–40) years. On presentation, 63 (15.1%) patients had metastatic disease, 50 (79.4%) with visceral metastasis. Patients with nonmetastatic disease had poor pathological features, including node-positivity (66.9%), grade III (51.4%), lymphovascular invasion (48.6%) and positive HER2 (31.5%). Breast-conserving surgery was performed on 32.9%, and only 36.5% of women had breast-reconstruction surgery. At a median follow-up of 59 months, 5-year overall survival for the whole group was 72%: 84% for nonmetastatic and 13% for those with metastatic disease. On Cox regression, nodal metastasis (adjusted HR 3.46, 95% CI 1.48–8.10; p=0.004) and grade III disease (HR 1.97, 95% CI 1.14–3.39; p=0.015) were associated with poor outcome.ConclusionAdolescents and young Jordanian adults with breast cancer present with more advanced–stage disease and more aggressive pathological features that reflect poorly on treatment outcomes.

Clinicopathological Characteristics and Prognosis of Breast Cancer in Young Women – A Single Center Study in a Developing Country

“…Another developing country’s study showed 15% of YBC had stage IV disease at diagnosis. 19 A clinical study in China showed that most young breast cancer patients had a family history of breast or ovarian cancer (8.8%), and 30.8% were stage III or IV disease. 20 Therefore, with the addition of stage IV YBC patients, the incidence is similar to those reported literature.…”

Tumor Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes of Older Women with Breast Cancer in Jordan

“…Less than a third had BCS while sentinel LN biopsy was performed on 38.0% and axillary dissection was performed less often than younger patients. 17 Though breast reconstructive surgery is not commonly performed in our region, less than 5% of our older patients included in this study had it.…”

Tumor Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes of Older Patients with Breast Cancer in Jordan

“…Less than a third had BCS while sLN biopsy was performed on 38.0% and axillary dissection was performed less often than younger patients. 17 Though breast reconstructive surgery is not commonly performed in our region, less than 5% of our older patients included in this study had it.…”