Clinicopathological disparities and prognostic implications of palpable vs non-palpable breast cancer: Toward precision multi-modal early screening strategies

Abstract

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide. Early screening is crucial for reducing the mortality rate of this disease. The study by Improta et al, published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Clinical Oncology, compared and analyzed the differences between palpable and non-palpable breast cancers. The results revealed that palpable tumors exhibited larger volume, higher histological grade, elevated Ki-67 proliferation index, a higher proportion of aggressive molecular subtypes, and greater invasiveness. Based on the above research results, this article further explores the influence of tumor subtypes, patient age, and other factors on prognosis, elaborates on the current application status, advantages and disadvantages of existing screening techniques, as well as the limitations of innovative technologies. At the same time, it summarizes the application value of combined screening, risk stratification, and the integration of traditional Chinese and Western medicine in the prevention and diagnosis of breast cancer. This article clarifies that early screening for breast cancer can effectively improve the prognosis of patients, and proposes that multiple-modal screening techniques should be integrated, precise risk stratification screening should be carried out, and the traditional Chinese medicine prevention concept of “prevention before disease onset, and prevention of disease progression after onset” should be incorporated. The aim is to enhance the overall prevention and control efficiency of breast cancer and provide scientific references and practical basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment practices.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Breast screening; Palpable tumor; Non-palpable tumor; Prognosis difference

Core Tip: This paper focuses on the differences between palpable and non-palpable tumors in breast cancer screening. The former is more invasive and early screening is crucial for improving prognosis. Multiple combined technologies, risk stratification screening, and the concept of “preventing disease before it occurs” can optimize the prevention and control effect.