Physiological and Histological Study of Breast Cancer Patients in Al-Muthanna Governorate–Iraq

Abstract

Background: Cancer is a very deadly disease and the most prevalent cancer in women around the globe is breast cancer. Second to cardiovascular disease in the list of deaths in Iraq is breast cancer. This study was carried out at Al-Muthanna Governorate in Iraq. The Aim:  This current study aimed to assess the variations in hematological and biochemical parameters in cases of breast cancer, and also to bring out the histological changes that are unique to breast cancer patients. Methods:  This study incorporated a total of 60 clinical samples, involving women of various age groups (30-60 years) diagnosed with breast cancer and control, all of whom were patients at Al-Sadiq Hospital and daily clinics in Al-Muthanaa province.  Results: Our study results indicate that. The results showed that there were no significant differences between the patient group and the control group in terms of the hematological parameters which were evaluated (RBCs, HB, PCV, WBCs, Platelet), and slight differences were observed regarding biochemical parameters (ALT, AST, Cholesterol) between the two groups, with P<0.05 significance. However, the study did show effects of breast cancer on these parameters. However, the levels of Progesterone, Estrogen, and Prolactin showed significant differences (P<0.05) between the patient group and control group. Also, we found important differences in the histology, morphology of the breast tissue when compared with healthy breast tissue.  Conclusions:  The changes consisted of abnormal cell growth, enlarged breast structures, abnormal clusters of cells, blockage of blood, elongated areas with occasional bleeding, necrotic lesions and other changes that were noticeable. All these changes are indicative of the existence of breast cancer.