Citation:
Abstract:
Background: The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of comorbidity in newly diagnosed female breast cancer patients in north-west India. The second end point of the study was compliance for multimodality treatment. Comorbidity assessed by counting the number of coexisting diseases diagnosed in a cancer patient or by using a comorbidity index that combines the number and severity of the diseases. The most widely used index is the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Materials and Methods: The data of female patients with breast cancer were recorded, having comorbidities during the cancer registration or comorbidities diagnosed during the treatment at the host institute between January and December 2012. The patients were distributed on the basis of physical parameters such as age, stage, tumor grade, hormone receptor status, ECOG status at diagnosis and CCI. Scores of CCI are summed to provide a total score to predict mortality. Results: During the period of January to December 2012, 156 biopsy-proven breast cancer patients were included in the study. During this period, female breast cancer patients enrolled were 13.94% out of total patient enrollment. The most prevalent comorbidities associated with breast cancer are hypertension (21.8%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (19.9%), rheumatologic disease (18.6%), and diabetes mellitus (16.7%), all four conditions have been reported in around 75% of the cases. The planning of multimodality management in comorbidity arm was significantly lower (P > 0.01) as compared to patients without comorbidity. Conclusions: The planning of multimodality management in comorbidity arm was significantly lower as compared to patients without comorbidity. Because of the comorbid condition, the definitive treatment of breast cancer was not given so this will also affect the treatment of breast cancer. When the CCI score increases with an increase in the number of comorbidities will decrease survival.