Correlation of prognostic and predictive indicators in breast cancer patients from the eastern province of Saudi Arabia

OBJECTIVES: To highlight and correlate demographic and histopathological features of breast cancer along with prognostic and predictive biomarkers, in Saudi patients from the Eastern Province and compare it to a cohort of non-Saudi patients. METHODS: In a retrospective study between January 1998 and December 2017, data were collected from the medical records of breast cancer patients who were admitted at King Fahd University Hospital (KFHU), Dammam, Saudi Arabia. The information included demographic, histopathological, and immunohistochemical findings. RESULTS: Out of 482 breast cancer patients, 60% (n=286) were Saudis, and 40% (n=196) were non-Saudis. Data showed a wide age distribution; however, most cases (80%) were seen in the third through fifth decades, with a median age at diagnosis of 51 ±12 years. Over years, breast cancer in Saudi patients was increasingly seen at a younger age (p=0.003). While tumors were increasingly detected at earlier stages (p=0.003); however, stage III & IV tumors (p=0.033) and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 overexpressed tumors (p=0.035) were more frequently seen at a younger age. Interestingly, these associations were not significant in non-Saudi patients. CONCLUSION: Although, the current findings might help future studies to identify variables that could lead to better management of breast cancer in this region; however, a wider investigation including other centers in the eastern province is needed.