Characteristics of cystic breast disease with special regard to breast cancer development

Background. This prospective study compares the characteristics of cystic d isease of the breast (CDB) of patients who developed breast cancer (BCa) du ring the follow-up (1.25-4 years) period with those who did not. Materials and methods: K+ Na+ albumin, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA), DHA-K+ sulphate, oestrone, oestradiol, testosterone and progesterone levels were determined in breast cyst fluid (BCF). Patients presented data about their menstrual status, reproductive history, lactation period date of first and the number of BCF aspirations, gynaecological interventions, use of ol al contracepti ves, family history of cancer, smoking habits and coffee consumption. The B Ca incidence of patients was compared with the expected number of BCas in a n age-matched group of 5143 women. Results: Out of 147 patients 6 developed BCa. The standardized incidence rate was 6.29. There were significant diff erences in testosterone, oestrone and progesterone levels and also reproduc tive history of patients who developed BCa compared with patients without B Ca. Conclusion: The above markers outline a subgroup of patients with the h ighest BCa risk.