The Spectrum of Breast Diseases in Qatar: A pathological study of 1336 cases over 10 years

Abstract

The incidence and pattern of breast diseases are well studied in the West and to a lesser extent in neighboring Arab countries but rarely in the State of Qatar. In an attempt to delineate the spectrum of breast diseases of women living in Qatar, records were reviewed and analyzed of breast lesions from 1336 women received by the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Hamad Hospital, from 1992 until May 2002. This enabled comparisons with data from other countries in the region and with western countries. Fibroadenoma was the most common lesion encountered (34%), followed by infiltrating ductal carcinoma (22.7%), Fibrocystic changes (15.2%), and Mastitis and Abscess (8.8%). The mean age for infiltrating ductal carcinoma was 45.4 years compared to 54 years in Western countries. Statistical results were similar to neighboring Arab countries but different from Western countries (i.e. early presentation of carcinoma, and more cases attributed to lactation and pregnancy probably related to the high fertility amongst women in Qatar). The spectrum of breast diseases in Qatar shows little difference compared to neighboring Arab countries but differs from western countries in that, although breast carcinoma is the most common carcinoma affecting women residing in Qatar, its incidence is far less than in the west and it is most prevalent in a younger age group.