Clinicopathological Assessment of Breast Lump Biopsies in Patients Presenting to General Surgery Outpatient Services: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study.

Abstract

Background:

A breast lump is one of the most common reasons for surgical outpatient consultation. Although most palpable breast lesions are benign, histopathological confirmation remains essential because clinical features overlap between benign, inflammatory, and malignant conditions.

Objectives:

 To assess the clinicopathological profile of breast lump biopsies among patients presenting to general surgery outpatient services and to determine the distribution of benign, inflammatory, and malignant lesions.

Methods: 

This hospital-based cross-sectional observational study included 50 patients with clinically evident breast lumps who underwent biopsy. Demographic details, clinical presentation, lump characteristics, biopsy procedure, and histopathological diagnosis were recorded and analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results:

The mean age was 39.8 ± 13.6 years. Most patients were aged 31–40 years, and females constituted 96% of cases. The upper outer quadrant was the commonest site. Most lumps measured 2–5 cm. Core needle biopsy was the most frequently performed procedure. Benign lesions were observed in 68%, inflammatory lesions in 4%, and malignant lesions in 28%. Fibroadenoma was the leading diagnosis, followed by invasive ductal carcinoma and fibrocystic change. Malignancy was more frequent after 40 years of age.

Conclusion:

Benign breast lesions formed the major clinicopathological category, with fibroadenoma as the predominant diagnosis. Nevertheless, a substantial malignant fraction highlights the need for systematic clinical assessment and tissue diagnosis in all breast lump cases.

Recommendations:

Early outpatient evaluation, appropriate imaging, timely biopsy, and structured histopathology reporting should be strengthened to improve diagnostic accuracy and clinical decision-making.