Impact of synchronous B3 lesions on clinicopathological data and prognosis in patients with breast cancer

Introduction: Breast cancer is a significant disease, as it is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women. The factors affecting the prognosis of breast cancer are receiving considerable attention. Although lesions with uncertain malignant potential (B3 lesions) show benign histological characteristics, they are associated with an increased risk of malignancy. Methods: This study included 296 patients who underwent surgery and were followed up with a diagnosis of breast cancer in our clinic. The patients were divided into two groups based on the presence of at least one pathologically confirmed B3 lesion in the surgical specimen. The demographic characteristics and clinicopathological data of the patients were recorded, and the effect of B3 lesions on prognosis was examined. Recurrence and metastasis dates were examined to evaluate disease-free survival and overall prognosis. Results: It was observed that patients with breast cancer who had accompanying B3 lesions were diagnosed at an earlier stage and had better survival rates than those without these lesions. The survival and disease-free survival rates of patients with lobular neoplasia accompanying invasive lobular carcinoma were better compared to those without this condition. Conclusion: In this study, breast cancer patients with concomitant B3 lesions were diagnosed at earlier stages, and the presence of B3 lesions in early-stage disease was associated with improved prognosis. This may be explained by earlier clinical presentation due to symptoms related to B3 lesions or by more frequent imaging surveillance prompted by their detection. Another possible explanation is that cancers associated with B3 lesions may exhibit more favorable tumor biology and prognostic features.