International Journal of Contemporary Surgery

Carcinoma breast is the most common cause of cancer death in women. Histopathologically, carcinoma breast is divided into various subtypes with invasive ductal carcinoma not otherwise specified (IDC-NOS) being the commonest. There is an increasing incidence of breast malignancies including rise in uncommon breast tumors. Uncommon tumors like infiltrating lobular carcinoma, medullary carcinoma, mixed ductal and lobular carcinoma and mucinous carcinoma carry better prognosis as compared to IDC-NOS.

This retrospective study was carried out to evaluate the incidence & histopathological pattern of malignant breast tumors in SMS&R and Sharda hospital Greater Noida, U.P, India

All mastectomy specimens submitted for histopathological diagnosis in department of pathology, SMS&R and Sharda hospital over a period of 2 years (2012 -2013) were included in this study. All specimens were received and fixed in 10% formal saline and processed routinely. Histopathological diagnosis was made on hematoxylin and eosin stained sections.

Out of 2917 specimens received in histopathology department, 54 were from breast lesions including 12 malignant lesions. All 12 cases were of epithelial malignancies. Out of which 7 were invasive ductal carcinoma-NOS. Two cases were reported as mucinous carcinoma, one each of lobular carcinoma, mixed ductal and lobular carcinoma and metaplastic carcinoma. Four out of seven cases of IDC-NOS were of Grade III.

Different histological subtypes of infiltrating breast tumors have variable prognosis. Some tumors show more than one histological subtype. Histological subtype largely influences further treatment strategy to be followed. Therefore thorough sectioning of breast tumors should be done to avoid missing of minor component. Public awareness should be generated by health education about the high incidence of carcinoma breast and their cure if diagnosed early.