Clinical, Radiological and Pathological evaluation of breast lumps: a crosssectional study from a tertiary care hospital of north-east India

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Background

Breast lumps are a frequent clinical finding among women, ranging from benign lesions to malignant conditions.

Differentiating these lesions accurately is critical for timely diagnosis and treatment, especially in resource-limited

settings. In India, breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women, with variable presentations. This

study investigates the clinical, radiological, and pathological features of breast lumps in patients at a tertiary care

hospital in Tripura, northeast India.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 180 female patients with palpable breast lumps, excluding those previously

diagnosed or unwilling to consent. Each patient underwent clinical examination, imaging (mammography or

ultrasonography based on age), and Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) for preliminary diagnosis. In cases of

atypical or indeterminate FNAC findings, biopsy was conducted for histopathological confirmation.

Results

The mean age of participants was 38.5 years. The cytological findings from Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC)

in 180 patients revealed that 76.7% of patients had benign lesions, while 17.2% had malignant lesions. After the

histopathological findings as the final diagnosis, 33 cases were malignant and 147 cases were reported as of benign

origin.Most lumps were located in the upper outer quadrant (42.2%). FNAC findings revealed that 76.7% of cases

were benign, while 17.2% were malignant. Histopathological analysis confirmed fibroadenoma as the most

common benign lesion (45.5%), and invasive ductal carcinoma as the predominant malignant type (15.5%).

Conclusion

Fibroadenoma and invasive ductal carcinoma were the most common benign and malignant breast lesions,

respectively. Early detection and accurate differentiation of breast lumps are essential, particularly in limited

resource settings, to reduce morbidity and mortality. These findings emphasize the importance of structured

diagnostic protocols to optimize patient outcomes.