INCIDENCE OF BREAST CARCINOMA IN PREGNANT AND LACTATING WOMEN

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Breast lumps are a common problem encountered in pregnancy and lactation. These lumps are generally benign like broadenoma, lactating adenoma, mastitis and galactocele. Although rare the possibility of breast cancer (Pregnancy Associated Breast Cancer) should be considered, which is increasing in incidence nowadays. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A prospective study for 18 months was conducted on pregnant and lactating females for evaluating the role of cytology in interpretation of breast cancers. Clinical details, imaging ndings and histopathological correlation (wherever available) was also analyzed. RESULT: 85 breast lumps were identied and benign lesions were the most common etiology seen. Three cases were identied as pregnancy associated breast carcinoma (PABC) constituting 3.5% of all breast lumps. CONCLUSION: Cytology was an effective tool with minimal surgical intervention in identifying the etiology of breast masses in pregnancy and lactation. However, the cytopathologists must be aware of the characteristic patterns seen in breast FNAC smears during pregnancy and lactation and the associated atypia seen in glandular epithelium during this period. Breast carcinoma is the most common malignancy associated with pregnancy. The incidence is low but increasing due to late childbirth. Breast cancer during pregnancy has a similar prognosis to that of breast cancer in young.