Breast Cancer in Young Women: Analysis of 12.689 Cases

Abstract

Introduction: Breast cancer in women under 40 years old is unusual. However, in this population the disease usually progresses with worse prognosis. Objectives: To describe the clinical and epidemiological profile of young women diagnosed with breast cancer in Brazil and to compare the clinical characteristics among women aged less than 34 years and those between 35 and 39 years. Method: Cross-sectional study of analytic cases of breast cancer in women aged 18-39 years, enrolled in the Integrator Module of Cancer Hospital Records and Cancer Hospital Registry of the State of São Paulo, from 2000 to 2009. It was performed a descriptive analysis of the variables. Results: There were included 12.689 cases. The median age was 36 years, most of women went to High School (32.3%) and came from the National Health System (74.6%). The advanced stage (≥ IIB) was recorded in 62.8% of cases and at the end of the first treatment, 44.4% of patients had no evidence of disease. Very young women presented more frequently a tumor size > 2 cm, positive lymph node status, metastasis, advanced clinical stages (≥ IIB) and lack of therapeutic response to the first treatment. Conclusion: In Brazil, young women are in advanced stage when they are diagnosed with breast cancer. Those too young (< 35 years) have a more advanced disease stage and poorer response to treatment compared to those aged 35-39.