THE INCIDENCE OF BENIGN & MALIGNANT BREAST LESIONS AT BAHAWAL VICTORIA HOSPITAL, BAHAWALPUR

Aim: To determine the prevalence of benign and malignant breast lesions in the tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional, descriptive, prospective study conducted at the Surgical Unit-II of Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur for one-year duration from May 2019 to May 2020. The duration of the study was 1 year, i.e. from January 2010 to January 2011. All patients aged 16 to 70 years who presented with a breast tumor to the surgical outpatient clinic of Lahore Nawaz Sharif University Hospital, January 2010 to January 2011 were included in a research. All patients were interviewed and examined by a senior registrar, and then by consultants at the outpatient clinic. All patients were examined (ultrasonography, mammography). Fine needle aspiration cytology and biopsies were performed by general surgeons and reported by a pathologist consultant at the same hospital. Results: A total of 200 patients had a breast lump, of which 160 (80%) were benign and 40 (20%) were malignant (according to histopathology). Among benign lesions, 85 (42.5%) are fibroadenoma, 50 (25%) are fibrocystic lesions, and 25 (12.5%) are abscesses. Of the 40 malignant cases, 30 (15%) are ductal carcinomas, 8 (4%) are lobular carcinomas and 2 (1%) are medullary carcinomas. Conclusion: Breast tumor is the most common symptom of breast cancer in women and is a rapidly growing problem in Pakistan. The incidence of malignancies is higher in women over the age of 30. Invasive ductal carcinoma is the most common subtype. Contrary to some international studies, Pakistani women present malignant changes in their breasts at an earlier age. Therefore, it justifies the need for a nationwide screening program and regular breast self-examination by women in Pakistan. Key words: breast injury, lump, biops