Types of Treatment and Early Clinical Outcomes in Breast Cancer Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy among women worldwide and remains a major contributor to cancer-related mortality, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. However, data describing stage distribution, treatment delivery, radiotherapy utilisation, and early clinical outcomes of breast cancer patients treated in public-sector tertiary care institutions remain limited. Aim: To describe the clinicodemographic profile and treatment patterns of breast cancer patients managed at a tertiary care centre. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at the Department of Radiotherapy, Midnapore Medical College, West Bengal, India. The present study included 152 histologically confirmed breast cancer patients managed between January 2023 and June 2025 and followed up till 31st December 2025. Patients with newly diagnosed metastatic disease at presentation were included. Data regarding age, residence, socioeconomic status, presenting symptoms, tumour characteristics, stage at diagnosis, type of surgery, systemic therapy, radiotherapy utilisation, duration of hospitalisation, and early clinical outcomes during follow-up were extracted from hospital records and analysed. Associations between categorical variables were assessed using the Chi-square test. Fisher’sexact test was used when expected cell frequencies were small. The Chi-square test was used to evaluate associations between disease stage and duration of hospitalisation, type of surgery and radiotherapy utilisation, and disease stage and radiotherapy utilisation. Age and duration of hospitalisation were analysed as continuous variables where appropriate and were additionally categorised for descriptive and categorical analyses. No multivariable analysis was performed because the study was primarily descriptive and exploratory, and the sample size and number of outcome events were limited. Statistical analyses were performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software, version 24.0. A two-sided p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Breast cancer constituted 31.8% of all cancer registrations. Majority were aged ≤50 years and from lower socioeconomic strata. Stage-II disease was most common. Adjuvant radiotherapy was administered in 85% of patients. A significant association was observed between disease stage and hospital stay (p<0.001), type of surgery and radiotherapy utilisation (p<0.001), and radiotherapy utilisation with disease stage (p<0.001). Conclusion: Advanced-stage disease remains prevalent and is associated with increased healthcare utilisation. Integration of radiotherapy and early detection strategies are essential to improve outcomes.