Retrospective Studies: An Insight into the Histopathological Findings Associated with Breast Cancer

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the most prevalent malignancy among women globally, with distinct histopathological profiles across populations. In Pakistan, younger age at diagnosis and limited awareness hinder early detection and optimal management, yet comprehensive local data on histopathological patterns remain scarce. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the histopathological features of breast cancer in Pakistani women and examine their associations with demographic variables and awareness levels, to inform evidence-based diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted on medical records of 174 female patients diagnosed with primary invasive breast cancer from 2021 to 2023. Patients were included based on confirmed histopathological diagnosis, complete clinical records, and exclusion of recurrence or prior malignancy. Data on tumor size, grade, biopsy site, lymph node involvement, HER2 status, and awareness scores were extracted. HER2 was assessed via immunohistochemistry with FISH confirmation where needed. The study was conducted in compliance with the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the Institutional Review Board. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed using SPSS v27, including ANOVA, t-tests, and Pearson correlations. Results: The mean age was 32.6 ± 1.95 years, with most tumors graded as Grade II (38.8%) and sized 2–3 cm (38.9%). Left-sided biopsies (38.9%) and absence of lymph node involvement (59.5%) predominated. A significant association was found between awareness and recognition of risk factors (r = 0.596, p < 0.01), but not with histopathological severity. Tumor grade (F = 4.76, p = 0.009), size (F = 3.92, p = 0.022), and lymph node status (F = 3.94, p = 0.021) showed statistically significant variations across patient subgroups. Conclusion: This study highlights the prevalence of intermediate-grade tumors and suboptimal awareness among Pakistani women with BC, reinforcing the need for integrated educational and diagnostic strategies. Findings support the clinical utility of histopathological profiling for guiding individualized care in resource-limited settings.