[Clinicopathological characteristics of synchronous bilateral breast carcinomas. Report of 30 patients]

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study is to determine the clinicopathologic characteristics; incidence and prognosis value of synchronous bilateral breast carcinoma [SBBC]. This is a retrospective study done in Salah Azaiz Institute of Tunis about 30 patients with synchronous bilateral breast carcinomas diagnosed and treated over a 21-years period going from 1977 to 1997. The definition of synchronous breast lesions is the development of the contralateral breast cancer within 6 months. Median age was 49 years. The incidence of SBBC was 0.52%. History family was noted in 3% of our population. Mean tumor size was 40 mm [15-145]. Breast conserving therapy was done in 16% of cases [9 patients]. Five-year overall survival was 40%. Five year survival rates were 72 and 17% for stage II and III, respectively. Main prognostic factors for survival were lymph node involvement [P=0.004] and disease stage [P=0.02]. Synchronous bilateral breast carcinoma is a rare entity, with a problem of definition concerning the delay of bilaterlisation. Their prognosis is similar to that of unilateral breast carcinoma patients of equal stage. Hence, breast conserving therapy can be used safely if indicated