Breast carcinoma in young females below the age of 40 years: A histopathological perspective

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer among young women is a rare pathology, but is known to have a more aggressive behavior and poorer outcome. AIMS: The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinicopathological characteristics of breast carcinoma below 40 years in comparison to that over 40 years in Manipur, India. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This retrospective study from the period of January 2005-December 2010 was conducted in the Department of Pathology, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal, Manipur. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All cases of mastectomy specimens of carcinoma breast from the period of January 2005-December 2010 were included in the study. Clinical and histopathological data of all cases were reviewed and correlated. RESULTS: A total of 507 mastectomy specimens were received, among which, 160 cases (31.56%) were below 40 years; whereas 347 cases (68.44%) were above 40 years of age. Stage III was the commonest stage (47% versus 18%) in the younger group; while in the older group, Stage II was the commonest (64% versus 34%). CONCLUSION: This study shows that young females with breast cancer have higher stage of tumor.