HCV seropositivity and breast cancer in Egyptian population, is there a link?

Eldahrouty, Hosam Eldin Ali; Mohamed, Hala Ibrahem; Mohamed, Ehab; Elsayed Ahmed, Amr Mohamed; Mohammed, Saeed Shaaban

doi:10.21608/mjmr.2023.209553.1388

HCV seropositivity and breast cancer in Egyptian population, is there a link?

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Tropical medicine department, faculty of medicine, Minia University.

² Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endemic department, Faculty of Medicine, Minia university, Minia, Egypt

³ Endemic department, faculty of medicine, Minia university, Minia. Egypt

⁴ Department of tropical medicine, El-Minia Faculty of Medicine

⁵ Oncology department, Beni Suef University, Egypt

10.21608/mjmr.2023.209553.1388

Abstract

Abstract:

Background:

HCV is a significant contributor to mortality associated with liver-related conditions globally. In addition to its known association with extrahepatic cancers, such as lung and pancreatic cancer, this research aimed to investigate the potential correlation between HCV seropositivity and the occurrence of breast cancer. Furthermore, the study aimed to assess the impact of HCV infection on survival rates within the Egyptian population.

Methods:

This retrospective case-control study involved of 938 female patients diagnosed with breast cancer, who were categorized into cancer groups. Their HCV seropositivity status was then compared to a control group consisting of 1251 female individuals. HCV seropozitivity was determined by the presence of HCV antibodies in the blood samples of the subjects. The study compared the characteristics of breast cancer patients who tested positive for HCV antibodies with those who tested negative, focusing on factors such as TNM staging, histological grading, and survival outcomes.

Results:

938 female breast cancer cases (with a mean age of 50.7 years) were compared to 1251 female controls (with a mean age of 52.2 years). HCV seropositivity among breast cancer cases was notably higher than that among controls (8.1% vs. 5.7%) [OR = 1.47, P = 0.031]. Additionally, this study revealed a non-significant increase in survival rates among breast cancer seropositive patients compared to seronegatives [HR = 0.79, P = 0.513].

Conclusion:

HCV sero-positivity was found to be associated with elevated risk of developing breast cancer; however, it did not demonstrate a significant impact on survival in breast cancer patients.

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