Benign breast disorders in nonwestern populations: Part II—Benign breast disorders in India

Abstract

Experience with benign breast disorders has been analyzed in 3 nonwestern populations: Hong Kong, India, and Northern Nigeria. Similarities to and differences from Western experience are found, but of great interest are notable differences between these populations which, as yet, lack explanation. All show "fibroadenosis" and fibroadenoma as common conditions, but the frequency with which phyllodes tumor is diagnosed varies between different centers in India as well as between different racial groups. Tuberculosis is another interesting example--wide differences in the frequency of breast infection are found although tuberculosis itself is common in all 3 countries. The value of prospective studies was shown when mastalgia was studied in this way in India. Often considered a "Western" affliction, these authors have been able to study 112 cases of mastalgia and found it to be twice as common as cancer as a presentation. These differing experiences between populations have been little explored and must hold promise for unravelling some of the enigmas of benign breast disorders in all countries.

Study of various benign breast diseases

“…Comparison of various studies of benign breast disorders conducted in India is given in Table 2. 1,14,15 The result of the present study parallel the Rangabashyam series of 1998 (Table 3). Presenting complaints of the patients were mostly of the lump alone followed by lump and pain, with a minimal number complaining of pain alone.…”

Benign breast disorders: rural Punjab population study compared with urban population studies

“…It was at its peak (44%) in 25-40 years age group, while 36% of fibroadenomas were seen in <25 years age group. Maximum incidence of fibroadenoma among all BBDs was also observed by Naveen et al and Khanzada et al 6,10 While results were not so as observed by Krishnaswamy, Shukla and Kumar and Khanna et al [12][13][14] No significant difference was noted in the recent literature regarding the age groups having fibroadenoma. 9 Above mentioned studies in which fibroadenoma is the most common BBD, were conducted in rural populations.…”

“…[12][13][14] Above mentioned studies in urban India show that fibroadenoma is going to be preceded by lump less BBDs due to growing awareness among patients as is the case in western countries.…”

“…Shukla and later Khanna and colleagues from Varanasi have drawn attention to the significant incidence of mastalgia. 13,14 The latter estimated it to account for 70% of all BBD. Both found mastalgia to be more common in the 2nd and 3rd decades of life respectively.…”

Clinical presentation, imaging, pathological profile and management of benign breast conditions based on aberrations of normal development and involution classification: A prospective cohort study

“…In this study, 29.4% of fibroadenomas were managed conservatively, whereas excision was routine for fibroadenomas in previous series [5] [7]. Most importantly, there was a paradigm shift in the management of patients presenting with mastalgia and diffuse or focal nodularity.…”