Breast Lesions in Adolescents and Young Women in Pakistan - a 5 Year Study of Significance of Early Recognition

Background: Breast cancer is the most frequent malignant disease amongst young women. If we review local data in Pakistan then breast cancer represents approximately a third of all cancers in females. The age standardized incidence rate (ASR) world per 100,000 is 53.8 and crude incidence rate is 30.9. We have observed during our surgical pathology practice and it is also reported by other Asian studies that breast carcinoma is amongst the leading malignancies in the region and the patients are at least a decade younger than counterparts in developed nations. Age is an important issue in effective screening, diagnosis and management of breast cancer, especially in this geographical region where late presentation and poor prognosis are a hallmark of the disease. Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the frequency of malignant breast lesions in symptomatic young females presenting with breast lumps. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study conducted at the Pathology Department, Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, Karachi. Descriptive and pathology data of malignant breast tumors 1st January 2004 to 31st December 2009 were reviewed, using the departmental archived data. It included both male and female patients up to the age of 25 years. Results: A total of 714 surgical specimens from/of symptomatic breast lesions were received at the pathology department of Liaquat National Medical, in the five years study period, in young females. There were 575 (80%) benign, 119 (16%) inflammatory and 20 (2.8%) malignant lumps. Conclusions: The obtained data for females only up to 25 years of age suggest a massive burden which requires urgent attention. Early assessment of lesions is essential in order to avoid mortality from malignancies.