HIV and breast cancer – a mammographic analysis: An observational study to identify the mammographic pattern of breast cancer in HIV-positive patients

Abstract

Background. Data on the association between HIV and breast cancer mammographic patterns and histological subtypes are limited.

Objectives. To determine whether specific mammographic findings, histological features and patient profiles were unique to a cohort of HIV-positive patients who developed breast cancer, by comparing them with a HIV-negative cohort.

Methods. This was a descriptive study in which we conducted a retrospective chart review and mammographic and pathology analysis of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients referred to the Addington Hospital breast clinic between August 2008 and June 2012 and entered into a prospective database.

Results. Thirty-eight HIV-positive and 38 HIV-negative patients were included in the study. HIV-positive patients were more likely to have multifocal breast cancer (p=0.007), but not multicentric disease (p=0.05). The presence of grouped and fine pleomorphic microcalcifications and positive HIV status demonstrated statistical significance (p=0.000). A statistically significant relationship between grouped and fine pleomorphic microcalcifications with biopsies confirming high-grade ductal carcinoma in situ (HGDCIS) and HIV status was demonstrated (p=0.001). The mean age of the HIV-positive patients was 42.5 years (p=0.000).

Conclusions. We demonstrated a statistically significant relationship between HIV status, the presence of multifocal breast cancer, and mammographically detected grouped and fine pleomorphic microcalcifications. A statistically significant relationship between HGDCIS and HIV status, and the presence of grouped and fine pleomorphic microcalcifications in HIV-positive patients with biopsies confirming HGDCIS, was demonstrated. Our study also showed that there is a relationship between age of presentation and HIV status.