Pathologically confirmed women's breast cancer: A descriptive study of Tunisian and Algerian series

Abstract

BackgroundBreast cancer (BC) is the most frequent malignancy among women in Tunisia and Algeria. Clinical and pathological characteristics of this cancer among these populations are not widely reported. The aim of the study was to report clinical and pathological characteristics of women's BC in a Tunisian and Algerian series.MethodsPathologically confirmed 1089 BCs were gathered in the pathology departments of three Northern Tunisian hospitals: Tunis military, Charles Nicolle and Jendouba and in the pathology department of Alger Douera hospital between January 2015 and December 2020. Clinical and pathological findings of the two series: age, tumor size, histological type, grading according to Scarff‐Bloom Richardson grading system, lymph node status at the time of diagnosis in axillary lymphadenectomy specimens and the immunohistochemical expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER/PR), HER2 and Ki‐67, were collected from the pathological reports.ResultsThe median age at diagnosis was 50 and 48 years in Tunisian and Algerian series, respectively (p = 0.016). The diagnosis of BC was made on surgical specimens (lumpectomy or mastectomy) in 373/491 (76%) cases of the Tunisian series and in 225/598 (37.6%) cases of the Algerian one. Median tumor size was 2.8 cm and 2.5 cm in Algerian and Tunisian series, respectively (p = 0.252). Invasive BCs not otherwise specified was observed in 440/481 (91.5%) BCs in Tunisian series and in 519/586 (88.6%) BCs in Algerian series. Axillary lymph node positive tumors were observed in 64.6% and 58.8% of Tunisian and Algerian women, respectively (p = 0.926). BCs were ER positive in 311/385 (80.8%) and 486/571 (85.1%) cases and HER2 positive in 86/283 (30.4%) and 60/385 (15.6%) cases of Tunisian and Algerian series, respectively.ConclusionsIn Tunisia and Algeria, BC has poor prognostic factors with large tumor sizes and high rates of lymph nodes involvement at diagnosis.

Bridging racial and ethnic disparities in cancer research

“…They were younger at diagnosis, had larger tumors, and had more axillary lymph nodes involved. A tailored approach in medical intervention is required to address the stark differences in cancer profiles and outcomes across regions 2 . The comprehensive review by Zajac et al uncovers disparities within tumor microenvironments, especially in African American women with triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC).…”

“…A tailored approach in medical intervention is required to address the stark differences in cancer profiles and outcomes across regions. 2 The comprehensive review by Zajac et al uncovers disparities within tumor microenvironments, especially in African American women with triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC). It highlights that the elevated levels of hormones like resistin, pro‐inflammatory cytokines like IL‐6, and chemokines like CCL2 and CXCL12 stimulate the recruitment of macrophages like M2, vascular endothelial growth factors, and regulatory T lymphocytes, which promote tumor growth and metastasis.…”