Characteristics and prognosis of young breast cancer patients treated in a public comprehensive cancer centre in Brazil: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of breast cancer among women under 41 years old varies worldwide, with higher rates observed in developing countries. These young women often face later-stage diagnoses. In this study, we examine a cohort of young women who were treated for breast cancer in São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study involving women under 41 years old. Our objective was to describe patient and treatment characteristics, with the main outcomes being overall and disease-free survival. Our analysis explored the associations between age of menarche, history of breastfeeding, use of hormonal contraceptives, and age at diagnosis. RESULTS: Our study included 493 patients with a mean follow-up of 62.8 months. The mean age of the patients was 34.6 (SD=4.19). Of the patients, 68% presented with locally advanced disease, and 19.27% were metastatic at the time of diagnosis. We observed significant associations between age of menarche and age at diagnosis (p = 0.0096), as well as age at diagnosis and breastfeeding (p = 0.0232). Chemotherapy was administered to 92.91% of the patients as part of their treatment, while 27.2% were eligible for breast-conserving surgery. During the follow-up period, 153 patients died, with disease progression being the cause of death in 73.2% of cases. The median survival time for the entire cohort is still under review, while the metastatic patients at diagnosis had a median survival time of 28.64 months (95%CI 20.21-40.89). CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight significant associations between late-stage diagnosis and overall and disease-free survival in this patient age group. Given that the majority of patients present with locally advanced breast cancer, it is crucial to implement strategies that promote early-stage diagnosis and improve survival rates.

Endometriosis is an important cause of pelvic pain in adolescence / Endometriose é causa importante de dor pélvica na adolescência

Objective: despite endometriosis being a common disease, where early detection is key to preventing its progression, it is a condition often overlooked in adolescents. The aim of this study was to report the clinical characteristics of adolescent patients with endometriosis monitored in a tertiary hospital. Methods: a retrospective study of 394 patients undergoing surgery with a histological diagnosis of endometriosis at the Endometriosis Division of the Gynecology Department at the Hospital das Clínicas of the University of São Paulo Medical School from 2008 to 2013. 21 adolescents were included (aged under 21 years). Results: the age ranged from 17.95 ± 1.48 years, the average time for diagnostic confirmation was 2.96 ± 2.93 years, and the age at the onset of symptoms was 15.28 ± 3.03 years on average. The sites affected were ovarian (38%), peritoneal (47.6%) and retrocervical (23.8%). Dysmenorrhea was found in 80.9 % of adolescents (severe in 33.3% of cases) and chronic pelvic pain in 66.6%. Conclusion: endometriosis in adolescents is an important differential diagnosis from pelvic pain and ovarian cysts, mainly among those with no response to conventional treatment. The main forms of involvement are peritoneal and ovarian. Despite the onset of symptoms in adolescence and advances in imaging methods, the diagnosis of this disease is still delayed. .

Objectivo: embora a endometriose seja uma doença prevalente, cujo diagnóstico precoce é fundamental para a prevenção de sua progressão, é uma condição frequentemente negligenciada em adolescentes. O objetivo deste estudo é levantar as características clínicas das pacientes adolescentes com endometriose acompanhadas em um hospital terciário. Métodos: levantamento retrospectivo de 394 pacientes submetidas à cirurgia com diagnóstico histológico de endometriose no Setor de Endometriose da Divisão de Clínica de Ginecologia do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, de 2008 a 2013. Foram incluídas 21 adolescentes (idade menor de 21 anos). Resulados: a idade média foi de 17,95±1,48 anos, a média de tempo para a confirmação diagnóstica foi de 2,96±2,93 anos e a idade do início dos sintomas foi em média de 15,28±3,03 anos. Os locais de acometimento foram ovariano (38%), peritoneal (47,6%) e retrocervical (23,8%). Dismenorreia esteve presente em 80,9% das adolescentes (sendo severa em 33,3% dos casos) e dor pélvica crônica em 66,6%. Conclusão: endometriose em adolescentes é um importante diagnóstico diferencial de dor pélvica e cistos anexiais, principalmente entre aquelas sem resposta ao tratamento convencional. As principais formas de acometimento são peritoneais e ovarianas. Apesar do início dos sintomas na adolescência e dos avanços nos métodos de imagem, ainda se observa demora no diagnóstico dessa doença. .

Endometriosis is an important cause of pelvic pain in adolescence.

OBJECTIVE: despite endometriosis being a common disease, where early detection is key to preventing its progression, it is a condition often overlooked in adolescents. The aim of this study was to report the clinical characteristics of adolescent patients with endometriosis monitored in a tertiary hospital. METHODS: a retrospective study of 394 patients undergoing surgery with a histological diagnosis of endometriosis at the Endometriosis Division of the Gynecology Department at the Hospital das Clínicas of the University of São Paulo Medical School from 2008 to 2013. 21 adolescents were included (aged under 21 years). RESULTS: the age ranged from 17.95 ± 1.48 years, the average time for diagnostic confirmation was 2.96 ± 2.93 years, and the age at the onset of symptoms was 15.28 ± 3.03 years on average. The sites affected were ovarian (38%), peritoneal (47.6%) and retrocervical (23.8%). Dysmenorrhea was found in 80.9 % of adolescents (severe in 33.3% of cases) and chronic pelvic pain in 66.6%. CONCLUSION: endometriosis in adolescents is an important differential diagnosis from pelvic pain and ovarian cysts, mainly among those with no response to conventional treatment. The main forms of involvement are peritoneal and ovarian. Despite the onset of symptoms in adolescence and advances in imaging methods, the diagnosis of this disease is still delayed.