Philippine Journal of Surgical Specialties Vol. 76, No. 2, July-December 2021, pp 41-47
Breast Cancer in the Young: A 10-year Review of the Diagnosis, Treatment and Outcomes at the Philippine General Hospital
Author(s): Sittie Aneza Camille A. Maglangit, MD, DPBS; Arjel D. Ramirez, MD, DPBS; Mark Richard C. Kho, MD, FPCS and Rodney B. Dofitas, MD, FPCS
Abstract:
Rationale: Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in the world. It is usually diagnosed in women 50 years old and older but is also found in younger women. Its occurrence in young women led to questions with regards issues on its tumor biology, survival, and fertility. There is insufficient local data to formulate treatment options relevant to this age group. This study reviews the data on breast cancer in young female patients seen in a tertiary institution.
Methods: This is a descriptive study involving a review of medical records of young female breast cancer patients (<35 years of age), seen at the Philippine General Hospital – Breast Care Center from January 2008 to December 2017.
Results: A total of 119 patients were included in the study. Of these young female patients, 29.4% presented with locally advanced disease (Stage IIIB) correlating with a high number of patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy (38.7%) and modified radical mastectomies with primary closure (62.18%).
Conclusion: Breast cancer in young females should be aggressively investigated as it commonly presents in an advanced stage.
Key words: breast cancer, screening, young female