CLINICOPATHOLOGIC PROFILE OF BREAST CANCER IN THE YOUNG MANAGED IN COTABATO REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER: A 5 YEARS RETROSPECTIVE STUDY Mohammadbakry18@gmail.com

PW04-10

CLINICOPATHOLOGIC PROFILE OF BREAST CANCER IN THE YOUNG MANAGED IN COTABATO REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER: A 5 YEARS RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

3

Philippines

Oral or Poster

Background: Breast cancer in young women presents unique challenges due to its typically aggressive behavior and late-stage diagnosis. Understanding the clinicopathologic patterns among this age group is vital for timely interventions, especially in underserved regions. Objective: This study aimed to describe the clinical and pathological profile of young breast cancer patients managed at Cotabato Regional and Medical Center (CRMC), with focus on risk factors, presentation, staging, treatment, and outcomes.

A retrospective descriptive study was conducted on 28 female patients aged 21 to 39 diagnosed with breast cancer at CRMC from 2020 to 2024. Demographic, clinical, and histopathological data were collected, including age, region, BMI, risk factors, clinical signs, tumor staging, surgical management, and receptor status.

Most patients were aged 36–39 (34  4.1, 21-39), with the majority coming from BARMM. Common risk factors included early menarche and limited use of contraceptives. Clinically, all patients presented with a palpable mass and pain. Invasive ductal carcinoma was the exclusive histologic type. Advanced clinical staging was common, with (n-17, 39%) in stage IIIB. Lymphovascular invasion was present in over 90% (n-26) of cases. Most underwent modified radical mastectomy with primary closure. Hormone receptor status varied, with 46.43% (n-13) being ER+/PR+ and an equal proportion being HER2-positive and negative.

The findings reveal that breast cancer in young women at CRMC is often diagnosed at an advanced stage and displays aggressive pathology. These underscore the importance of early detection strategies, regional access to cancer care, and focused health education to improve outcomes in this population.