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

OBJECTIVE

Breast cancer (BC) in young women tends to be more aggressive. This study highlights the clinicopathological features and outcomes of young breast cancer (YBC) patients in a developing country.

METHODS

Consecutive patients aged 35 years or younger with a pathologically confirmed diagnosis of breast cancer treated and followed up at our department were included. Medical records and follow-up databases were reviewed and documented.

RESULTS

The rate of breast conservation and reconstruction surgery is higher in YBC patients. YBC patients are more likely to have tumors over 5cm, high-grade, hormone receptor negative, triple negative and stage III than old patients. There was no statistically significant difference in the pathological type, lymph node metastasis, and HER2 status. The median follow-up time was 96 months. The disease-free survival (DFS) was significantly worse in the YBC group. However, the overall survival (OS) had no difference between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

YBC patients had more aggressive pathological features, such as hormone receptor negative, triple negative, high-grade and advanced stage, and poorer DFS than the old counterparts.