Retrospective study of hospitalized breast cancer patients in a Zhuhai-based hospital: analysis spanning over 20 years

Background Breast cancer represents a significant global health burden with distinct epidemiological characteristics in China. This study analyzes the management evolution of breast cancer at a regional medical center in Southern China. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted of 5,052 breast cancer patients hospitalized from 2004 to 2024. Data encompassed demographics, clinical characteristics, treatment patterns, costs, and outcomes. Results The cohort was predominantly female (99.5%) with a mean age of 50.5 years. Most cases (61.3%) were early-stage (Stage I), and 70.3% were covered by rural resident basic medical insurance. A 406% surge in hospitalizations occurred in 2022, while median length of stay significantly decreased from 16.9 to 4.8 days (p < 0.001). Treatment trends showed substantial increases in breast-conserving surgery (21.7% in 2024) and neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Total costs peaked in 2019 (¥31,201) then decreased by 58.9%, with out-of-pocket expenses declining from 49.2% to 37.4%. Logistic regression identified adjuvant chemotherapy as a strong positive predictor of cure (OR = 5.87, 95% CI: 3.14-10.99, p < 0.001). Conclusion Findings confirm established patterns in age and tumor distribution while revealing regional variations in pathological profiles and surgical management.