Recurrence Patterns in Breast Cancer: A Single-Center Retrospective Analysis

Background: Breast cancer mortality and long-term survival are influenced by the unpredictability of recurrences, which cause significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges for oncology teams. The risk of local and distant recurrence is higher in advanced stages and in the first two years following initial treatment. Accurate staging and continuous monitoring of recurrence are crucial for effective therapy planning. Indicators of recurrence, such as luminal subtype, disease stage, age, and treatment choice, can provide new knowledge and improve patient disease-free and overall survival rates. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with stage I-III invasive breast cancer at a regional-based institution. The study population consisted of 98 patients with distant and locoregional recurrences from a large cohort of 744 patients diagnosed and treated at our institution between 2007 and 2024. Data on previous treatment for breast cancer, disease stage, molecular subtype, initial size and location of the tumor in the breast, lymph node status, living environment, and type of recurrence were recorded retrospectively. Results: The recurrence patterns in 98 patients included local recurrence in 25 (25.5%), distant recurrence in 70 (71.4%), and both local and distant recurrence in three (3.1%). Our study showed that patients diagnosed with stage II (40.8%) or stage III (55.1%) breast cancer, as well as those with the luminal B subtype (43.87%), were more likely to experience recurrence. The majority of patients affected by recurrent disease were postmenopausal women aged between 51 and 70 years (32 cases aged 51–60 years and 34 cases aged 61–70 years). Tumors measuring between 2 and 5 cm were more likely to produce distant single-organ recurrence (26 cases). More cases were associated with urban areas (77 cases). Conclusions: In menopausal women, most causes of local breast cancer recurrence are related to advanced stage at diagnosis and luminal B subtype. Patient age, primary tumor location in the CSE, and previous adjuvant treatment with aromatase inhibitors may affect the risk of recurrence. Comprehensive studies on recurrence in postmenopausal women can provide a more precise understanding of the extent of disease in such patients.