Abstract

BACKGROUND:
Breast cancer is the most common malignancy affecting the Iraqi population. As many cases are still detected in advanced stages of the disease, regular follow-up of the diagnosed and treated patients is crucial to manage therapy-related complications and limit loco-regional recurrences.
OBJECTIVE:
To report the clinicopathological features, the offered treatment options and the recurrence rates among a sample of Iraqi female patients followed up after diagnoses with breast cancer.
PATIENTS AND METHODS:
A retrospective study design was followed enrolling a sample of 154 female patients diagnosed with breast cancer at a referral center for early detection of cancer in Baghdad, Iraq during a six month period (from January to July 2019). All cases with histopathologically confirmed invasive breast carcinoma were included in the study if they  had reliable valid data related to their demographic, clinical, pathological and follow up status (for at least two years).
RESULTS:
The peak age frequency for breast cancer occurred in the fifth decade of life. Family history was observed in 18.2% of patients. The most common histological type was invasive ductal carcinoma (92.9%) while 46.8% of the patients presented in advanced clinical stages (III            and IV). ER and PR and HER2 were positive in 66.2%, 63.6% and 36.4% of the cases respectively. Surgery was prescribed in 95.5% of the patients; 83.8% underwent modified radical mastectomy. Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy, Hormonal and Biological therapy were received by 92.2%, 66.9%, 64.9% and 32.4%) of patients respectively. Overall, discontinuation of the treatment was observed in 8.4% while recurrence was recorded among 10.1% of the patients.   
CONCLUSION:
Frequent regular follow up of patients diagnosed with breast cancer is crucial to achieve better prognosis. Continuous monitoring of the response to therapy and coordination through multidisciplinary follow-up care are essential recommendations to avoid risks of local and regional recurrences.