Prevalence of different breast lesions in women of southern Punjab, Pakistan, characterized on high-resolution ultrasound and mammography

Abstract

Abstract Background The aim of the study is to characterize the breast lesions on high-resolution Ultrasound and digital mammography to find the patterns and prevalence of different breast lesions in different age groups of our population. Results This prospective study was conducted at a breast care clinic of a tertiary care hospital from Jan 2018 to Dec 2019. Patients with breast-related complaints were enrolled. Patients under the 35 years of age were evaluated on High-Resolution Ultrasound (HR-USG) and those over 35 years of age on digital Mammography. Any lesion on digital mammography was characterized on HR-USG. Fine Needle Aspiration (FNAC) and Trucut biopsy was done where pathological correlation required. Data of all enrolled patients were recorded and analyzed. Patients with known cases of carcinoma breast on follow-up were excluded from the study. Total 6850 patients enrolled in our breast care clinic during study period. 5111 were above the age of 35 years while 1739 were under the age of 35 years. No lesion could be found in 3915 patients and were reported normal. 2935 patients were found to have different breast lesions. The frequency of different lesions was different in both age groups. The overall frequency of lesions was as malignancy 16.2%, benign lesions including Fibroadenoma, simple cysts, Lipoma and Galactocele 16%, inflammatory lesions including abscess 7.86% and Duct Ectasia 2.75%. Conclusions In developing countries where mass screening programs are deficient, Breast Care clinics in tertiary care hospitals have a noteworthy role in early detection of breast cancer and other breast lesions.