Clinicopathological Spectrum, Molecular Subtypes, and Contemporary Treatment Patterns of Breast Cancer in Bangladesh

Abstract

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women worldwide and represents an increasing oncological burden in Bangladesh. Delayed presentation, limited screening facilities, and heterogeneity in tumor biology continue to influence treatment outcomes in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to evaluate the clinicopathological profile, molecular subtypes, treatment patterns, and short-term outcomes of breast cancer patients treated at a tertiary care teaching hospital in Bangladesh. Methodology: This retrospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Surgery, Anwar Khan Modern Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Histopathological confirmed breast cancer patients treated between January 2022 and June 2023 were included in the analysis. Results: A total of 43 patients were analyzed. The median tumor size was 3.0 cm (IQR: 2.0–4.0 cm), and the median symptom duration was 4.0 months (IQR: 2.0–6.0 months). ER/PR-positive, HER2- negative tumors constituted the most common molecular subtype. Tumor size greater than 2 cm was significantly associated with nodal positivity (OR 9.14, 95% CI 1.53–54.54; p=0.020). Tumor size demonstrated a significant positive correlation with the number of involved lymph nodes (rho=0.62, p<0.001). Symptom duration was also positively correlated with tumor size (rho=0.60, p<0.001). Conclusion: Breast cancer patients in Bangladesh continue to present with relatively advanced disease. Longer symptom duration was associated with larger tumor size, and larger tumor size was significantly associated with nodal positivity, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis, timely referral, and breast cancer awareness programs to improve clinical outcomes. Journal of Surgical Sciences 2024;28(2): 77-84