Metastasis and its related factors in female breast cancer patients in Kerman, Iran

Background: Metastasis is important in survival and the quality of life of female breast cancer patients. This study was run in order to investigate metastasis and its related factors in female breast cancer patients in Kerman province from 2005 to 2015. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors associated with secondary metastasis in female breast cancer patients in the largest province of Iran (Kerman). Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, medical records of women diagnosed with breast cancer between the years of 2005 to 2015 were studied. Among them, 200 breast cancer patients with secondary metastasis were randomly selected as cases and 400 patients without metastasis were selected as the control group. Backward logistic regression, chi-square test, t-test and Mann-Whitney-U test were performed for comparing the two groups in SPSS 22. Results: Disease stage at diagnosis was significantly associated with secondary metastasis (p < 0.001). Female patients with stage III breast cancer at the time of diagnosis had a higher chance OR=9.11 (CI 95%=2.99-27.76) of metastasis than women with stage 0 and 1 at diagnosis. Also, patients from rural areas had a higher chance for metastasis OR=1.89 (CI 95%=1.04-3.41). Other factors such as age, tumor size, tumor grade at diagnosis, hormone receptor status of estrogen and progesterone and Her-2 showed no significant association with metastasis (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Stage at diagnosis and the residential location of patients were the most important factors related to secondary metastasis. These results emphasize the importance of early diagnosis, adequate education and awareness for breast cancer screening.