Objective  To improve the recognition, appropriate diagnosis, and treatment of breast cancer in women aged 25 years or less through their clinicopathological features, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.

  Methods  The clinicopathological data from 77 patients with breast cancer treated in our hospital between January 1995 and January 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. The correlation between age, lactation, tumor size, axillary node status, surgical approach, pathological stage, indicators of immunohistochemistry treatment modality, and prognosis was analyzed using statistical software.

  Results  All patients were female, and their average age was 22.94 ± 1.94 years. The diagnosis depended on pathological examination. In the follow-up visits, recurrence or metastasis was found in 27 patients, of which 18 died. The median overall survival was 39 months, and the median progression-free survival was 36 months. The 3 year overall survival rates of stages Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ, and Ⅳ were 100%, 92.44%, 59.97%, and 0, respectively. The 5 year overall survival rates of the four stages were 100%, 86.84%, 59.97%, and 0, respectively. Univariate factor analysis showed that tumor size, axillary lymph node status, surgical approach, pathological stage, and estrogen receptor were impact factors, whereas lactation, progesterone receptor, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2, p53, molecular subtyping, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy were not. Cox multivariate analysis showed that axillary lymph node status was an independent prognostic factor for breast cancer in women aged 25 years or less.

  Conclusion  Breast cancer in young women is rare and has unique characteristics in biological behaviors, diagnosis, prognosis, and other factors. Axillary lymph node status was an independent prognostic factor. The crucial factors in the treatment were diagnosis and on time and early-stage treatment.