Original Articles
Clinicopathological Characteristics and Survival Outcomes of Breast Cancer in Young Women
Shaban L. Tofiq, Lana R.A. Pshtiwan, Ari M. Abdullah, Sara N. Ahmed, Banu T. Mazin, Shilan R. Qadir, Vanya Ibrahim Jwamer, Harzal H. Fatih and 5 more
IntroductionBreast cancer in young women, defined as diagnosis before 40 years of age. It is characterized by poorer outcomes compared with older patients. Regional data on the disease in the Middle Eastern population remain limited. This study focused on the clinicopathological profile of young women with breast cancer.
MethodsThis retrospective, single-center cohort study was conducted between February 2018 and February 2025. Demographic, clinical, pathological, treatment, and follow-up data were extracted from electronic medical records. Inclusion criteria were women under 40 years diagnosed with primary breast cancer. Patients with incomplete records or without surgical treatment were excluded.
ResultsA total of 564 patients with a median age of 36 years (IQR: 5) were included. A breast mass was the predominant chief complaint (85.5%), and 74.7% presented within 3 months. Median tumor size was 25 mm. Invasive ductal carcinoma was the predominant subtype (88%). Triple-negative breast cancer was identified in 73 patients (12.9%), of which 76.1% were Grade III (p<0.001). Negative estrogen and progesterone receptor status was significantly associated with Grade III (p<0.001). Wide local excision was performed in 67.0% of cases. Overall survival was 98.5% at 60 months.
ConclusionHigh tumor grade was significantly associated with triple negative breast cancer, ER-negative, and PR-negative status, but not with HER2 status. Symptom duration showed no association with tumor size. Ki-67 was significantly higher in Grade III tumors, reinforcing the aggressive phenotype of breast cancer in young women
Keywords Breast
· Cancer
· Triple negative
· Prognosis
· Young women
All subjects
