Clinicopathological and Immunohistochemical Characteristics of Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer: A Retrospective Study from Sarajevo
Aida Celikovic1, Emina Nesimi2, Nejra Mlaco-Vrazalic2, Akif Mlaco3,4
1 Institute for Health Protection of Women and Motherhood of Sarajevo Canton, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
2 Department of Internal Medicine, General Hospital “Prim. Dr. Abdulah Nakas”, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
3 Clinic for Heart, Blood Vessel and Rheumatism, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
4 Department for Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Corresponding Author:
Aida Celikovic MD. Institute for Health Protection of Women and Motherhood of Canton Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina; E-mail:celikovic_a@yahoo.com; Phone: +387 33 560-200; ORCID ID:0009-0003-6764-277X
Cite this article: Celikovic A, Nesimi E, Mlaco-Vrazalic N, Mlaco A. Clinicopathological and Immunohistochemical Characteristics of Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer: A Retrospective Study from Sarajevo. Sar Med J 2025; 2(2):75-82. 
10.70119/0034-25
Pages: 75 – 82 / Published online: 16 December 2025
Original submission: 19 June 2025; Revised submission: 16 August 2025; Accepted: 25 September 2025
Abstract
Introduction. Owing to its high incidence and significant impact on public health, breast cancer represents a major clinical and epidemiological challenge. This study aimed to describe the clinicopathological and immunohistochemical characteristics of newly diagnosed breast cancer cases in Sarajevo.
Methods. A retrospective study was conducted at the Institute for Health Protection of Women and Motherhood of Canton Sarajevo, including 165 female patients diagnosed in 2023-2024. Data on age, tumor size, calcifications, histological type, grade, presence of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status, Ki-67, laterality, and tumor location were collected.
Results. Among 10,547 breast examinations, 165 breast cancers were detected (1.5–1.6% annual incidence). Mean patient age was 62 years, and median tumor size 20 mm. Most tumors were invasive carcinoma of no special type (70.9%), followed by lobular carcinoma (14.5%). ER and PR positivity were observed in 73.9% and 55.8% of patients, respectively. HER2 was positive in 4.8%, while 31.5% of tumors showed high Ki-67 proliferation. DCIS was present in 19.4% of cases. Significant correlations were found between tumor grade, histological type, ER/PR status, Ki-67, calcifications, and HER2 expression.
Conclusion. This study highlights the heterogeneity of breast cancer and emphasizes the need for further research to refine diagnostics and treatment.
Keywords: Breast cancer, Estrogen Receptors, Progesterone Receptors.
