Farzana Memon, Javariah Farooq, Zareen Sattar, Furqan Ilyas, Mahmood Ahmed Khan, Eed Quraishy M Saeed.
Frequency of carcinoma breast in young females presenting at a tertiary care hospital, Karachi.
Pak J Surg Jan ;31(2):88-92.

Introduction: Overall breast cancer is the second most common cause of death and third most frequent cancer of the world with 21% new cases arising every year worldwide. In Pakistan 1 in every 9 women is suff ering from breast cancer and this proportion is increasing every year, which indicates how grave the situation is. Also, by the time a lump can be felt in a young woman, it may be large and advanced enough to lower her chances of survival. Overall survival and mortality due to this disease are infl uenced strongly by the stage of the disease at diagnosis. About 54% of the women are diagnosed in stage II, while only 16% are diagnosed in stage I. Although uncommon, breast cancer in young women is worthy of special att ention due to unique and complex issues that are raised. Approximately 7% of women diagnosed with breast cancer are under 40 years and it accounts for 40% of all cancer in this age group. Survival rates are worse when compared to those in older women. An early diagnosis and prompt treatment can reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with this disease and prevent the extensive surgery and psychological stress to the patients. Objective: Current study is aimed to determine the frequency of breast carcinoma in patients, below the age of 40 and ascertain its histopathology, receptor status and radiological fi ndings at presentation. Design: Retrospective descriptive study. Sett ing and duration: Th is study was done in Civil Hospital Karachi and all patients presenting with breast carcinoma during January 2013 to December 2014 were included in the study. Methodology: Total of 281 patients treated at surgical unit 4 and other 5 surgical units included. Results: Out of total 281 patients, 38.1% patients were of age 40 or below and majority of them were in between 31 – 40 years of age. In the same group, the mammography fi ndings were BIRA D4 (83.17 %), BIRA D 5 (14.01%) and BIRA D 3 (2.8%). Th e receptor status, ER and PR was positive in 44.85 and 43.92% patients respectively in the fi rst age group of 40 and below. Majority of patients in both subgroups had infi ltrating ductal carcinoma which accounts for 94.3% i.e. 265 patients. Conclusion: Th is study refl ects that frequency of carcinoma in young Pakistani women at tertiary care hospital of Karachi has increased at an alarming rate. Aggressive implementation of diagnostic and screening methods at an earlier age at national level is required.

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