Histopathological Spectrum of Breast Carcinoma in a Tertiary Care Centre and its Association with ABO Blood Grouping and Rh Typing

Background: Globally, breast cancer contributes to 27.7% of the newly diagnosed cases of cancer among women. Early screening and timely diagnosis of the lesions of breast help in alleviating the anxiety among patients. Histopathology is the gold standard in diagnosing the lesions, assessing the adequacy of treatment, and in disease prognosis. Studies have shown that ABO blood type has been associated with risk and survival for several malignancies. However, data for an association with breast cancer are inconsistent.

Aim: To study the histopathological spectrum breast carcinomas and to investigate the presence of a possible association between breast cancer in women and ABO blood group and Rh factor.

Materials and Methods: This retrospective descriptive study was done for a period of 4 years on 110 mastectomy specimens histopathologically diagnosed as breast cancers, and clinico-pathological data collected and analysed with records from the Department of Pathology, Saveetha Medical College. Association of breast cancer with ABO blood grouping and Rh typing was studied.

Results: Left breast was involved in most cases (96.4%). The mean age was 50.86 years, with 41-50 years age group showing peak incidence. Infiltrating breast carcinoma, no special type (89.6%) was the most common histological type. ER and PR positivity was seen in 46.4% and 41.8% of cases respectively. A statistically significant association was seen between hormone receptor status and histological grade. 39.1% cases belonged to O blood group, and Rh positivity was seen in 96.4% of the cases. No association was found between breast cancer and ABO/Rh blood grouping.