Clinical and epidemiological evaluation of patients with breast sarcoma in Recife, Brazil

Abstract

Objectives: Given the scarceness of breast sarcomas, this study aimed at evaluating the prevalence, clinical factors and treatment of this neoplasm in the city of Recife, Brazil. Methods: This is a retrospective study of women treated in Hospital do Câncer de Pernambuco (HCP), from January 1988 to December 2013. Data regarding age, origin, histological subtype, tumor size, surgical margins, type of treatment and outcome of patients were collected. Results: Fifty 16 to 83-year old patients were analyzed (average: 48.6 years). In 44 (88%) patients, the main complaint was about a breast lump with an average size of 10.23 cm. There were 26 (52%) malignant phyllodes tumors, 6 (12%) stromal sarcomas, 4 (8%) pleomorphic sarcomas, 3 (6%) fibrosarcomas, 3 (6%) malignant fibrous histiocytoma, 3 (6%) carcinosarcomas, 2 (5%) fusocellular and myxoid sarcomas, 2 (5%) spindle cell sarcomas and 1 (2%) osteosarcoma. The most common treatment was mastectomy (40; 80%). At the end of the follow-up of 25 patients (average: 82.1 months), 12 (48%) were alive without the disease, 5 (20%) were living with the disease, and 8 (32%) were dead. There were 18 (72%) recurrences, 12 (66.6%) local and 6 (33.2%) distant (metastases). Conclusions: Breast sarcomas, which are rare tumors, are mainly treated through surgery and present high rates of recurrence and mortality.