Clinical Profile and Treatment Outcome in locally advanced Carcinoma of the Breast: Our Experience

Background: Locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) is a term that encompasses breast cancer that is inoperable or is operable only by mastectomy at initial presentation. This includes T3 or T4 tumors and any N2 or N3 disease (Stage IIB-T3N0 to Stage III). Breast carcinoma is the most common site-specific cancer in females and is the common cause of cancer mortality for women aged 20-59 years. It accounts for 30% of all newly diagnosed cancers in women and is responsible for 14% of the cancer-related deaths in women. Aim and Objective: To study the clinical profile and the various treatment modalities with respect to Locally Advanced Breast Carcinoma (LABC). Material and Methods: Descriptive Observational Hospital-based study involving 60 patients with LABC as In-patients of the General Surgery Department of GSL General Hospital. Results: Majority of the patients i.e., 31.7% patients were in the 41–50-year age group. Left breast was predominantly involved in 51.7% cases. Nipple retraction was noticed in 13.3%and skin ulceration in 11.7% cases. TNM staging revealed Grade III A in 65% cases, IIIB in 31.7% cases and IIIC in 3.3% cases. Complete recovery was seen in majority 42(70%) of the cases. Incidence of seroma as complication was seen in 17 (28.4%) cases and surgical site infection in 11 (18.3%) cases. Conclusion: Complete recovery was seen in 70% cases. Incidence of complications in our study was 56.7%.