Derman Basaran1, Mert Turgal2, Kemal Beksac3, Ozgur Ozyuncu2, Omer Aran3, M Sinan Beksac2. 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey. 2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Perinatology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey. 3. Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the clinicopathological characteristics of patients with pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC), with a special focus on diagnostic delays and the identifiable causes of diagnostic delays. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Clinicopathological data of patients treated for PABC between 2003 and 2012 at Hacettepe University Hospital was retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: 20 patients with PABC were included. The pathological examination revealed predominance of invasive ductal carcinoma (80%), grade III tumors (65%) and advanced-stage (III-IV) disease (75%). In 8 patients (40%), there was a diagnostic delay between occurrence of the presenting symptoms and the initiation of breast mass workup. For these 8 patients, the main identifiable causes of diagnostic delay were the attribution of disease-related symptoms to pregnancy or lactation in 5 (63%) and negligence of symptoms in 2 (25%). CONCLUSIONS: PABC mostly presents with advanced-stage disease, and there can be a substantial diagnostic delay before these patients receive treatment. Preconceptional, gestational and postpartum examination of women of reproductive age should include a thorough breast examination and should provide adequate information regarding the physiological changes in breast tissue and the possible pathological symptoms.
BACKGROUND: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the clinicopathological characteristics of patients with pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC), with a special focus on diagnostic delays and the identifiable causes of diagnostic delays. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Clinicopathological data of patients treated for PABC between 2003 and 2012 at Hacettepe University Hospital was retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: 20 patients with PABC were included. The pathological examination revealed predominance of invasive ductal carcinoma (80%), grade III tumors (65%) and advanced-stage (III-IV) disease (75%). In 8 patients (40%), there was a diagnostic delay between occurrence of the presenting symptoms and the initiation of breast mass workup. For these 8 patients, the main identifiable causes of diagnostic delay were the attribution of disease-related symptoms to pregnancy or lactation in 5 (63%) and negligence of symptoms in 2 (25%). CONCLUSIONS:PABC mostly presents with advanced-stage disease, and there can be a substantial diagnostic delay before these patients receive treatment. Preconceptional, gestational and postpartum examination of women of reproductive age should include a thorough breast examination and should provide adequate information regarding the physiological changes in breast tissue and the possible pathological symptoms.
Entities:
Keywords:
Breast; Breast cancer; Diagnosis; Pregnancy
Authors: Hatem A Azim; Luigi Santoro; William Russell-Edu; George Pentheroudakis; Nicholas Pavlidis; Fedro A Peccatori Journal: Cancer Treat Rev Date: 2012-07-09 Impact factor: 12.111
Authors: Michael J Halaska; George Pentheroudakis; Pavel Strnad; Hana Stankusova; Jiri Chod; Helena Robova; Lubos Petruzelka; Lukas Rob; Nicholas Pavlidis Journal: Breast J Date: 2009-06-13 Impact factor: 2.431
Authors: Beth M Beadle; Wendy A Woodward; Lavinia P Middleton; Welela Tereffe; Eric A Strom; Jennifer K Litton; Funda Meric-Bernstam; Richard L Theriault; Thomas A Buchholz; George H Perkins Journal: Cancer Date: 2009-03-15 Impact factor: 6.860
Authors: Ciara C O'Sullivan; Sheeba Irshad; Zheyu Wang; Zhuojun Tang; Christopher Umbricht; Gary L Rosner; Mindy S Christianson; Vered Stearns; Karen Lisa Smith Journal: Breast Cancer Res Treat Date: 2020-03-11 Impact factor: 4.872
Authors: Javaid Iqbal; Eitan Amir; Paula A Rochon; Vasily Giannakeas; Ping Sun; Steven A Narod Journal: JAMA Oncol Date: 2017-05-01 Impact factor: 31.777
Authors: Szilard Asztalos; Thao N Pham; Peter H Gann; Meghan K Hayes; Ryan Deaton; Elizabeth L Wiley; Rajyasree Emmadi; Andre Kajdacsy-Balla; Nilanjana Banerji; William McDonald; Seema A Khan; Debra A Tonetti Journal: Springerplus Date: 2015-11-19
Authors: Jean Marie Vianney Dusengimana; Vedaste Hategekimana; Ryan Borg; Bethany Hedt-Gauthier; Neil Gupta; Susan Troyan; Lawrence N Shulman; Ignace Nzayisenga; Temidayo Fadelu; Tharcisse Mpunga; Lydia E Pace Journal: BMC Cancer Date: 2018-06-05 Impact factor: 4.430