Asian Journal of Case Reports in Surgery

Background: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women worldwide and a rising public health issue in India, particularly in semi-urban and rural populations. Limited screening and diagnostic infrastructure in such regions often result in delayed presentation and poorer outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the clinicopathological and molecular profile of breast cancer cases in a rural tertiary care hospital in Central India.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 150 histologically confirmed cases of breast carcinoma managed at Bramhankar Multispeciality Hospital, Gondia, over a five-year period. Data on demographic characteristics, tumor histology, grade, stage, treatment modalities, and molecular subtypes were analyzed.

Results: The mean age at diagnosis was 47.8 ± 8.9 years, with 56.7% of patients under 50 years of age. All patients were married, with a mean parity of 2.9 and mean age at first childbirth of 17.3 years. Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC) was the predominant histological type (76.7%). Most cases presented as Grade II (45.3%) or Grade III (48%) disease, and Stage II (48%) or Stage III (39.3%) at diagnosis. Lymph node metastasis was observed in 47.3% of patients. All underwent surgical management—predominantly radical mastectomy with axillary dissection. Adjuvant chemotherapy was given to 46.7%, and hormonal therapy to 88.7% of receptor-positive cases. TNBC accounted for 55.3%, while Luminal A represented 44.7%. During a mean six-month follow-up, recurrence occurred in 2.7% of patients, and there was no treatment-related mortality. However, long-term outcomes remain undetermined due to short follow-up.

Limitations: This study has several limitations. Being a retrospective, single-center study, it may not reflect the entire regional population. The short follow-up period restricts survival analysis, and incomplete HER2 testing in some patients limits precise molecular classification. Nonetheless, it provides valuable insight into the rural breast cancer burden and highlights gaps in diagnostic and treatment infrastructure.

Conclusion: Breast cancer in rural Central India presents at a younger age and more advanced stage, with a predominance of high-grade, triple-negative tumors. The lack of early detection and limited access to adjuvant therapies remain major challenges. Strengthening screening programs, improving access to molecular diagnostics, and enhancing oncology infrastructure are crucial for improving outcomes among women in rural regions.