BEYOND AGE: UNRAVELING BREAST CANCER IN WOMEN UNDER 40 THROUGH 10 YEARS OF RESEARCH jfmarques@ulslo.min-saude.pt

 

BEYOND AGE: UNRAVELING BREAST CANCER IN WOMEN UNDER 40 THROUGH 10 YEARS OF RESEARCH

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Portugal

Oral or Poster

Breast cancer in young women (7% of all cases) presents distinct clinical and biological features, often associated with more aggressive types of tumours. Its analysis is essential to optimize therapeutic strategies and improve patient outcomes.

This retrospective study included 23 patients diagnosed with breast cancer before 40 years of age, that were submitted to surgery, between 2013 and 2023. Data collected included demographics (age, parity, breastfeeding time, oral contraceptive use), personal and family history, immunohistochemical profile, BRCA mutation status, tumor staging, adjuvant treatments, and surgical procedures including oophorectomy.

The median age at diagnosis was 37 years. The majority of patients presented tumors of the Luminal B type (65%). BRCA mutations were positive in 17.4% of cases. Tumor staging distribution was as follows: stage I 17.4%, stage II 43.5%, stage III 30.4% and 2 cases turned out to be undetermined. 8.7% of patients underwent prophylactic or therapeutic oophorectomy. The most frequent adjuvant treatment was chemotherapy in 91.3% of patients. The majority of patients underwent a mastectomy.

Breast cancer in young women in this cohort showed specific clinical and molecular characteristics, highlighting the importance of individualized approaches. The significant presence of BRCA mutations reinforces the need for genetic screening in this population. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the disease and to optimizing clinical management.