The age-specific differences in histopathological tumor characteristics and TNM classification of breast carcinomas in Quality assured mamma diagnostic (QuaMaDi) program in the state of Schleswig-Holstein in Germany.

BACKGROUND: We explored the hypothesis that high-quality standards in diagnostic mammography can lead to an early diagnosis of breast cancers and identifies at risk populations outside screening programs. The histopathological features and distribution of the TNM classification were examined in relation to patient age in a large group of women with breast cancers participating in the Quality Assured Mamma Diagnostic (QuaMaDi) program of the state of Schleswig-Holstein.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Surgical pathological reports were studied for clinicopathological characteristics, receptor status, molecular subtype and tumor stage. The analysis was conducted by dividing the study population into three age groups: women under 50 years (pre-screening), 50-69 years (peri-screening) and over 70 years (post-screening).

RESULTS: 7.111 biopsies and 2.887 resection specimens were included. Breast cancer was diagnosed in 4.241 (59.7%) cases, one fourth of them in women < 50 years. Elderly women (> 70 years) had more well-differentiated, estrogen receptor (ER)-positive and HER2-negative carcinomas, whereas younger women (< 50 years) tended to have more poorly differentiated, ER negative, and HER2-positive carcinomas. 47% of breast carcinoma were luminal B tumors and were most common regardless of age. 70.4% of resected specimen had pT1 stage. Nodal negative were 71.2%.

CONCLUSION: In QuaMaDi breast cancer was diagnosed at an early and potentially curable stage of the disease due to high-quality standards in diagnostic mammography. In addition, regardless of age, an increased number of prognostically unfavorable molecular subtypes were detected. Thus, QuaMaDi helps to identify at risk populations. QuaMaDi significantly improves diagnostic mammography and complements mammography screening programs.