IMPORTANCE OF PHYSICAL EXAMINATION IN EARLY DETECTION OF LUMP IN BREAST IN WOMEN OF DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS

Authors

  • Hafsa Abbas
  • Saira Imran
  • Noorul -ain-Hafeez Waris
  • Andleeb Khanam
  • Rukshshan Khurshid

Abstract

Background: The spectrum of breast lesions in adolescents varies markedly from that for adults,with the former lesions being overwhelmingly benign. Fine needle biopsy can be used to distinguishbenign and malignant tumour. Study Design: This study examined the characteristics and outcomeof women with different age groups in whom physical examination was their sole method of lump inbreast detection. Patients and Methods: A total of 200 patients were included in the study. Thesewere divided into 3 groups. Group A was consisting of 75 girls with age of pubescent. Group Bincluded 69 suspected breast cancer women with age range 26–38 years. Fifty-six suspected breastcancer women with age range 41–60 year were included as group C. Study was carried out inpatients admitted in the Department/Out-door of Surgery, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan.Study period was 6 months. All women received a physical examination by a breast surgeon.Proforma including demographic and clinical characteristics were filled. The diagnosis for patients inthis study was achieved by core needle biopsy using a 14-gauge cutting needle. Results: It wasobserved that early age at menarche (<15 year) plays an important role in developing both type oftumour, i.e., benign or malignant. Body Mass Index (BMI) with a range of 19–25 may be a riskfactor in developing both type of tumours especially in pubescent and reproductive age, whileBMI>25 may be a risk factor in peri/post menopausal women. Active life style is more importantwith increasing age as it decreases the risk of developing tumour state. Family history was morecommon in women with peri/post menopausal status as compared to other age groups. Clinicalcharacteristics showed that lump size <2.5 cm was more common in both pubescent andreproductive age. While lump size with a range of 2.5–5.0 cm, was observed in all groups of patients.Fibroadenoma is observed in almost all women with pubesenct age while both benign and malignanttumour observed in women with reproductive age. Malignant tumour was observed mostly inwomen with peri/post menopausal status. Conclusion: Study concluded that early detection orclinical examination with FNA cut out the patients from harassment of malignancy andcomplications especially in the pubescent age. It is also found that Physical examination remain theuseful indicators of prognosis in diagnosing cancer. Further research is needed to fully understandthe reasons for variations in breast disease outcomes i.e. malignant or benign.Keywords: Breast cancer, Fibroadenoma, Physical examination

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Published

2010-06-01