Study of breast cancer surgeries at a tertiary hospital

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is commonly treated by various combinations of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy and targeted therapy via a multimodality approach. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment of the early stages of breast cancer, and it ranges from lumpectomy to modified radical mastectomy. Surgery typically includes sentinel lymph nodes (LN) dissection for staging the extent of spread into the axilla. In present study we aimed to study surgeries done in patients with breast cancer at our tertiary hospital. Material and Methods: Present study was a prospective, observational study conducted in patients who underwent surgery for breast cancer, followed by histopathological report positive for breast malignancy. Results: Total 86 biopsy proven breast cancer patients underwent surgery during study period. All patients were females, with mean age 47.4 ± 10.7 years, from rural areas (74%), 9% had positive family history, 13% received Hormone Replacement Therapy/Oral Contraceptive Pills (for more than 5 years), 5% were smokers, 64% were premenopausal and 7% had history of breast biopsy. Modified radical mastectomy with axillary node dissection (69%) was most common surgery performed followed by breast conservation surgery (26%). Most patients were from stage II (64%) followed by stage I (15%). Infiltrating ductal carcinoma was most common histopathological variant (81%). Histopathologically most cancers were grade II (52%). Lymph nodal involvement (48%) and positive surgical margins (7%) were noted. Conclusion: Surgery is mainstay in treatment of breast cancer With introduction of BCS cosmetic and other concerns are tackled effectively.