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Showing 47 results for Breast Cancer

Fatemeh Khaksarmadani, Azim Motamedfar, Mohammad Momen Gharibvand,
Volume 82, Issue 3 (6-2024)
Abstract

Background: Breast cancer ranks as one of the most prevalent cancers among women worldwide and remains a major cause of mortality. The axillary lymph node (ALN) status, especially in the absence of distant metastasis, is a significant prognostic indicator in breast cancer management. Non-invasive methods, such as ultrasound, have gained prominence in the diagnostic landscape, particularly for evaluating dense breast tissue where traditional imaging may have limitations. This study was conducted to assess the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound in detecting malignant ALNs among breast cancer patients.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 150 women diagnosed with breast cancer who visited Golestan Hospital in Ahvaz, Iran, between 2021 and 2022. Patients were initially examined clinically, and subsequently, ALN evaluations were performed using a GE S6 logic ultrasound machine. Key radiologic parameters including lymph node size, morphology, cortical thickness, and vascular distribution were assessed. Stata software was used for data analysis, and pathology results were considered the gold standard to determine ultrasound’s sensitivity and specificity in detecting malignancy.
Results: We found 77.7% of the 150 patients had metastatic ALNs, indicating a high rate of lymphatic spread in this population. Ultrasound showed a sensitivity of 86.09% and a specificity of 51.52% in detecting malignant nodes. Radiological signs of cancer, like abnormal morphology and increased cortical thickness, were strongly linked to positive pathological findings. This shows that ultrasound is a useful tool for diagnosis.
Conclusion: The results indicate that ultrasound, as a non-invasive and accessible modality, can serve as a valuable diagnostic tool for identifying malignant ALNs in breast cancer patients. Integrating ultrasound with physical examination could enhance diagnostic precision, potentially reducing the need for invasive procedures such as biopsies. However, more research is necessary to establish the role of ultrasound in clinical protocols and investigate its potential to guide customized treatment strategies. Such advancements could optimize patient outcomes, enhance resource allocation, and ultimately contribute to more effective breast cancer management.

Navid Kalani , Lohrasb Taheri , Fatemeh Eftekharian, Ali Talebi, Marzieh Haghbeen,
Volume 82, Issue 6 (9-2024)
Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women. Epidemiological studies have led to the hypothesis that vitamin D may reduce the risk of breast cancer. This study aimed to investigate the association between vitamin D deficiency and breast cancer.
Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 59 patients referred to Khatam Al-Anbia Comprehensive Cancer Clinic in Jahrom city between May 2021 and March 2022. Thirty patients with pathologically confirmed ductal or lobular breast cancer in situ or invasive in one or both breasts, with no previous history of the disease and within two months of their breast cancer diagnosis, were considered as the case group. Thirty women without breast cancer who had been referred for breast screening examination were considered as the control group. Both groups were matched for demographic characteristics and age. The data collection tools in this study included demographic information and clinical history of the patients and serum vitamin D levels. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software, version 21 (IBM SPSS, Armonk, NY, USA) and descriptive statistics (mean, percentage, and standard deviation) and inferential statistical tests (logistic regression, Kolmogorov-Smirnov). The significance level was considered to be P<0.05.
Results: The mean age of the patients participating in the case group was 52.17±10.6 and in the control group was 51.24±9.7. There was no statistically significant difference in age (P=0.654). There was also no significant difference between the two groups in terms of body mass index and different body index classifications, menopause age, and age of onset of menstruation. The number of months of breastfeeding in the control group was significantly higher than the case group (P=0.001). The results of logistic regression showed that, on the other hand, there was no significant relationship between the type of pathology of the disease and serum vitamin D levels.
Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that vitamin D deficiency can be a poor prognostic factor in the course of breast cancer.

Bahar Rostamizadeh, Alireza Jalali-Zand , Kamran Qhaedi, Rozita Nasiri,
Volume 82, Issue 8 (11-2024)
Abstract

Background: Insects and arthropods, along with their products, have been used as medicinal sources since ancient times, that is called entomotherapy. Cancer is one of the major problems in medical science, for which a drug has not yet been discovered to control it quickly and accurately. Arthropods have been medicinal sources since ancient times and they especially Insects have a high potential for insect therapy because of the biodiversity. This research investigates the effect of insect body extracts and arthropods in inhibiting the growth of cancer cells or tumours, specifically on the breast cancer cell line, MCF7002E
Methods: The basic and applied study was conducted in Isfahan from 2018 to 2023. In this research, six species of insects, namely Gryllotalpa sp., Polyrhachis sp., Dolichovespula sp., Apis mellifera, Periplaneta americana, Drosophila melanogaster, and one species of Chilopoda, Scolopendra sp., were used. The samples were washed with distilled water and 70% alcohol, then frozen and powdered and prepared in 1% DMSO at eight concentrations of 62.5, 125, 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 4000, 8000 μg/ml and were evaluated for the control of two lines of breast cancer cells MCF-7 by the MTT test was performed to check the effect of doses. The affected doses of insects and centipedes were performed in 6 replicates and three times to MCF-7 cells. IC50 and LD50 were calculated by Prism version six software to check the effect of concentrations determine the effective dose and choose the best extract to control the growth of MCF-7 breast cancer cells.
Results: Scolopendra sp., Drosophila melanogaster, Periplaneta americana, Polyrhachis sp., Apis mellifera, and Gryllotalpa sp. are the most effective species, respectively, in inducing apoptosis and cell death in MCF-7 cancer cell line. Dolichovespula sp. had the least effect. Scolopendra sp. at a concentration of 500 μg/litre induced cell death in more than 50% of MCF-7 cancer cells.
Conclusion: The results of the application of seven different genera of arthropods and insects showed that these genera have excellent therapeutic potential, particularly in the treatment of MCF-7 cancer cells.
 

Seyede Hakimeh Sajadi, Mohadeseh Karimi ,
Volume 82, Issue 12 (3-2025)
Abstract

Background: Approximately 16% of all female cancers. Due to its high prevalence and considerable impact on patient survival, comprehensive evaluation of histopathological and molecular features is crucial for improving disease management. This study aimed to analyze the histopathological spectrum and immunohistochemical (IHC) molecular subtypes of invasive breast tumors in an Iranian population, with the ultimate goal of guiding tailored therapeutic strategies.
Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted between 2021 and 2023 at Shahid Mohammadi Hospital, Bandar Abbas, Iran. Initially, 110 female patients diagnosed with invasive breast carcinoma were evaluated. After applying exclusion criteria (bilateral breast cancer, in-situ carcinoma, prior neoadjuvant chemotherapy, or inadequate pathological specimens), 10 patients were excluded, leaving 100 cases for final analysis. Demographic and clinical data were collected from medical records, while histopathological assessment was performed using hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining. Immunohistochemistry was applied to evaluate estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), HER2, and Ki-67 expression, enabling classification into molecular subtypes: Luminal A, Luminal B, HER2-enriched, and Basal-like. Tumor grade and stage were determined according to AJCC/UICC criteria. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v21, with significance set at P<0.05.
Results: The patients’ ages ranged from 26 to 73 years, with a mean age of 49.5 years. Histopathologically, invasive ductal carcinoma accounted for 89% of cases, followed by lobular (5%), medullary (3%), and other rare subtypes (3%). Molecular classification revealed 9% Luminal A, 65% Luminal B, 11% HER2-enriched, and 15% Basal-like. A significant association was found between tumor grade and molecular subtype (P=0.001). Luminal B tumors showed the highest frequency of grade III lesions, axillary lymph node metastasis, and advanced tumor stage (II-III), indicating more aggressive biological behavior compared to Luminal A.
Conclusion: This study confirmed that invasive ductal carcinoma is the predominant histological type of breast cancer, with Luminal B being the most prevalent molecular subtype in the studied population. The findings highlight the importance of molecular profiling for accurate prognostication and treatment planning. In particular, the aggressive features of Luminal B tumors emphasize the need for more intensive therapeutic approaches. Incorporating routine IHC-based subtyping into breast cancer management protocols could significantly enhance patient outcomes and support the implementation of precision oncology in Iran.

Babak Hooshmand-Moghadam , Abbas Ali Gaeini,
Volume 82, Issue 12 (3-2025)
Abstract

Background: As survival rates among breast cancer patients improve, cardiovascular disease (CVD) has emerged as a leading cause of long-term morbidity and mortality in postmenopausal survivors. This epidemiological transition from oncologic risk to cardiometabolic vulnerability reveals a critical yet underexplored dimension of survivorship care. Structured exercise training represents a promising intervention, and this narrative review-grounded in a systematic literature search investigates the effects of aerobic, resistance, and combined training modalities on cardiovascular health in postmenopausal women with breast cancer. The review synthesizes evidence across physiological mechanisms, clinical outcomes, and implementation challenges to provide a comprehensive perspective on exercise oncology in this underserved population.
Methods: A systematic search of reputable international databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Google Scholar as well as Persian databases SID and Magiran was conducted to identify relevant human studies, clinical trials, and randomized controlled trials published between January 2000 and April 2025. Screening, selection, and synthesis of the studies were performed in Iran between October 2024 and January 2025.
Results: Accumulating evidence supports that structured exercise especially combined aerobic and resistance training exerts substantial cardioprotective effects through multiple mechanisms, including reductions in systemic inflammation, improvements in body composition, regulation of blood pressure, enhancement of cardiorespiratory fitness, and improved left ventricular function. Combined interventions consistently outperformed single-modality programs, underscoring the importance of integrative approaches in oncologic rehabilitation. Despite this promise, persistent barriers such as limited access to trained personnel, lack of individualized protocols, and weak institutional support impede translation into routine practice. Notably, few existing reviews have bridged mechanistic, clinical, and operational domains in this population, highlighting a significant gap in the literature.
Conclusion: Exercise training is not merely an adjunct to care it is a clinically potent, physiologically grounded, and policy-relevant strategy for mitigating cardiovascular risk in postmenopausal breast cancer survivors. Given the increasing burden of CVD in this group, integrating personalized, evidence-based exercise into oncologic care pathways is both urgent and essential for advancing survivorship standards and informing future clinical guidelines.

 
Tahereh Parsajam , Behnam Reza Makhsoosi, Ali Najafpour, Kimia Fathi,
Volume 83, Issue 1 (4-2025)
Abstract

Background: Thyroid hormones play a key role in the development of various organs of the body. The breast and thyroid are hormone-responsive organs that are closely related to changes in endocrine activity and glandular diseases. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and the second leading cause of cancer-related death. Due to the inconsistencies in the relationship between breast cancer and thyroid diseases and the lack of regional data, the present study was designed and conducted with the aim of investigating the prevalence of various thyroid disorders in patients with breast cancer and its relationship with the type of breast cancer and age.
Methods: In this prospective study, we examined 50 women with breast cancer who had undergone surgery after surgery. The location of this study was Imam Reza Hospital in Kermanshah and the duration of this study was 12 months from the beginning of March 2023 to the end of March 2024. Patient information included: age, histopathological type of cancer, and thyroid test results including serum TSH, FT4, and ATPO levels, were recorded and reviewed.
Results:  Based on the results obtained, it was shown that the average age of people with thyroid disorders in patients with breast cancer was 42.88 and the standard deviation was 11.313. Also, there was no significant difference between the age of people and thyroid disorders in patients with breast cancer (P-value < 0.89). In the study of thyroid disorders in patients with breast cancer, it was shown that there was a significant relationship between patients with breast cancer and the amount of TSH and the amount of FT4. This means that people with breast cancer had an increase in the amount of TSH and the amount of FT4. However, there was no significant relationship between patients with breast cancer and the amount of ATPO (P-value < 0.319).
Conclusion: Thyroid disorders are more prevalent in patients with breast cancer than in the normal population, and given the relationship between the types of thyroid disorders and the type of breast cancer histopathology, these results can be used and screening methods can be used more effectively in those who have risk factors for breast cancer for early diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

Mandana Pouladzadeh, Fatemeh Khazaei, Saeid Bitaraf, Hossein Karimpourian, Mahsa Mombeyni, Mohammad-Reza Mahmoudian-Sani ,
Volume 83, Issue 4 (7-2025)
Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is the most prevalent malignancy among women and remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Early detection can markedly improve patient survival, yet existing screening methods often lack sufficient accuracy and sensitivity. lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 has been implicated in the initiation and progression of tumors in several cancers, including breast cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic potential of serum lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 expression as a biomarker for early detection of breast cancer.
Methods: This case-control study was conducted at Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Shafa Hospital, Ahvaz, Iran, between September 2024 and March 2025. Serum samples were obtained from 30 patients with histologically confirmed breast cancer and 30 healthy women serving as controls. Total RNA was extracted from 500 µL of serum, and cDNA was synthesized using oligo (dT) primers. Real-Time PCR was performed in triplicate, with GAPDH as the internal control. Relative gene expression was calculated using the 2^-ΔΔCt method, and data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test and ROC analysis.
Results: The patient and control groups were homogeneous for most demographic parameters, but showed significant differences in age (P=0.023) and ethnicity (P=0.004). Most patients were in stage I of the disease. The median expression of serum KCNQ1OT1 was significantly lower in patients (0.024, IQR 0.013-0.033) than in controls (0.039, IQR 0.027-0.051), indicating marked downregulation in the patient group (P=0.0003). The ROC analysis yielded an AUC of 0.82 (95% CI: 0.67-0.96, SE=0.07, P=0.0005). At an optimal cutoff value of >0.031, the sensitivity was 70%, the specificity was 95%, and the positive likelihood ratio (LR⁺) ≈ was approximately 14, demonstrating strong discriminative ability.
Conclusion: Serum KCNQ1OT1 exhibits promising diagnostic performance for identifying early-stage breast cancer and may serve as a reliable noninvasive biomarker. Larger multicenter studies incorporating molecular subtyping and tissue correlation are required to validate its clinical applicability and strengthen diagnostic accuracy.

 

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