Role of fingerprint patterns in the histopathologically diagnosed breast cancer females

Vishram Singh; Sajjad Jafar; Nisha Kaul; Bindu Singh

doi:10.4103/JASI.JASI_109_19

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Year : 2019 | Volume : 68 | Issue : 3 | Page : 211-214

Role of fingerprint patterns in the histopathologically diagnosed breast cancer females

Vishram Singh¹, Sajjad Jafar², Nisha Kaul¹, Bindu Singh³
¹ Department of Anatomy, Santosh Medical College, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
² Department of Anatomy, Santosh Medical College, Santosh Deemed University, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
³ Department of Anatomy, B.R.D. Medical College, Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India

Date of Submission	21-Aug-2019
Date of Acceptance	21-Nov-2019
Date of Web Publication	07-Jan-2020

Correspondence Address:
Dr. Sajjad Jafar
Department of Anatomy, Santosh Medical College, Santosh Deemed University, Ghaziabad, NCR, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh
India

Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None

DOI: 10.4103/JASI.JASI_109_19

Abstract

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in India followed by cervical cancer. It is a major threat to women today with nearly half a million deaths attributed mainly to the lack of early diagnosis. A fingerprint pattern determination is genetic, but it has been reported to be affected by the environmental factors in the first trimester of pregnancy. The importance of fingerprints in the modern world is not restricted to the field of forensic and criminal applications only. The purpose of this study is to examine the fingertip patterns among women with histopathologically diagnosed breast cancer and controls. Material and Methods: The study was conducted 145 histopathologically diagnosed breast cancer women and their fingerprint patterns compared with 145 normal healthy women with no family history of breast cancer. Results: The fingerprint patterns were analyzed between breast cancer and control group of individuals, which showed statistically difference. The most common pattern found in breast cancer females was ulnar loop (67.93%) followed by whorl (24.68%) arches (4.13%) and radial loop (3.24%)while in the normal females, the most common pattern was whorl (50.82) follow by arches (17.58%) radial loop (16.27%) and ulnar loop (15.31%). Discussion and Conclusion: According to our study, we conclude that dermatoglyphics may help in identifying women with risk of breast cancer. The dermatoglyphics can serve as an inexpensive, noninvasive anatomical and effective tool to determine the individuals with breast cancer in their future.

Keywords: Arches, breast cancer, fingerprint patterns, radial loops, ulnar loops, whorls

How to cite this article:
Singh V, Jafar S, Kaul N, Singh B. Role of fingerprint patterns in the histopathologically diagnosed breast cancer females. J Anat Soc India 2019;68:211-4

How to cite this URL:
Singh V, Jafar S, Kaul N, Singh B. Role of fingerprint patterns in the histopathologically diagnosed breast cancer females. J Anat Soc India [serial online] 2019 [cited 2023 Mar 29];68:211-4. Available from: https://www.jasi.org.in/text.asp?2019/68/3/211/275268

Introduction

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in India followed by cervical cancer.

It is a major threat to women today with nearly half a million deaths attributed mainly to the lack of early diagnosis.

Breast cancer constitutes a major public health issue globally with over 1.7 million new cases diagnosed in women in 2012, and 6.3 million women are alive with breast cancer in the past 5 years annually.^[1]

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research, the estimated number of breast cancer cases would be approximately 90,659, 106,124, and 123,634 in the years 2010, 2015, and 2020, respectively.

Dermatoglyphics is the scientific study of the details of finger ridge structure. The term dermatoglyphics has its origin from Greek words “derma” means skin and “glyphic” means curved. Cummins in 1926 introduced the term dermatoglyphics that refers to the study of the naturally occurring patterns of the surface of the hands and feet.^[2]

The dermal ridges develop in relation to the volar pads, which are also formed by the 6^th week of gestation, and they reach their maximum size between the 12^th and 13^th weeks. This means that the genetic message normal or abnormal is deciphered during this period and it is reflected by dermatoglyphics. A fingerprint determination is genetic, but it has been reported to be affected by the environmental factors in the first trimester of pregnancy. Fingerprint patterns are unique to the individual, but they vary from person to person in their number, shape, position, and types.

The search of literature has shown that a family history of breast cancer might be associated with a specific fingerprint pattern. The study of the fingerprints represents a noninvasive anatomical proxy marker of breast cancer risk.^[3],[4]

Galton, who divided the fingerprints into three major classes (arch, loop, and whorl) and further divided each category into subcategories [Figure 1] during this period, the dermatoglyphics was used in anthropology comparative zoology, criminology, and human genetics.^[5]

Figure 1: Types of fingerprints: (A) Arch – (a – Plain arch; b – Tented arch, (B) Loop – (a – Ulnar loop; b – Radial loop), (C) Whorl – (a – Plain whorl; b – Double-loop whorl), (D) Composite – (a – Central pocket loop whorl; b – Accidental whorl)

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Because the BRCA1 and BRCA2 are human genes that produced tumor suppressor proteins. These proteins help in repairing the damaged DNA and ensuring the stability of the cell's genetic material. Sometimes, specific inherited mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 will develop breast cancer.^[6],[7],[8]

A recent study has shown that 55%–65% of females inheriting BRCA1 mutation and 45% of women inheriting BRCA2 mutation will develop breast cancer by age 70 years.^[9],[10]

Although harmful mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 are responsible for the disease in nearly half of families with multiple cases of breast cancer and 90% of families with both breast and ovarian cancers, mutations in a number of other genes have been associated with increased risks of breast and/or ovarian cancers^{[11],[12],[13],[14],[15],[16]} [Figure 1].

Aims and Objectives

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of fingertip patterns among women with histopathologically diagnosed breast cancer and controls.

Material and Methods

In this study, 145 histopathologically diagnosed breast cancer females in the age group of 25–70 years were taken from the Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy, B.R.D. Medical College, Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India.

One hundred and forty-five female controls of the same age group were selected those who had no signs and symptoms of breast cancer and no family history.

Procedure for obtaining prints

Before starting the procedure, it is necessary to remove oil, dirt, and sweat from the skin. The plain white paper sets over the Plain glass plate on the table. The inked fingertips pressed over the plain paper. After obtaining the fingerprints [Figure 2], the analysis was done with a magnifying lens.

Figure 2: Fingerprints obtained from breast cancer female. UL – Ulnar loop, W – Whorl

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Results

The fingerprint patterns calculated from 145 histopathologically diagnosed breast cancer patients and 145 controls were studied for differences. The patterns were analyzed qualitatively.

In the present study, ulnar loops were found to be significantly higher in breast cancer patients. as compared to controls.

In the cancer patient we observed six or more ulnar loop in the finger print pattern of both hands which were statistically significant It was found to be significantly associated (X²=817, df=3, P=<0.001).

Thus we found that the CA breast patients had ulnar loops 67.93%, whorls 24.68%, arches 4.13% and 3.24 % radial loops.

Whereas the control group had 15.31% ulnar loops, 50.82%whorls, 17.58% arches and 16, 27% radial loops. The ulnar loop pattern was more common in the cancer breast females.

The ulnar loops in the left little finger were seen in a significantly higher percentage of the C A breast as compared to those in the control.

A significant (P<0.001) increased percentage of the ulnar loop pattern (67.58%, right and 68.27% left) was seen in cancer patients as compared to that in the controls (15.72% right and 14.80% left) [Table 1], [Table 2], [Table 3].

Table 1: Correlation of fingerprint pattern of the right hand between case and control groups

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Table 2: Correlation of fingerprint pattern of left hand between case and control groups

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Table 3: Frequency of fingertip patterns in cases and controls

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Discussion

A statistical significance was found between breast cancer patients and controls in ulnar loop patterns of both the right and left hands (P ≤ 0.001).

In the present study, we identified that a significant association with ulnar loop had the highest mean percentage frequency followed by whorls, arches, and radial loop.

According to Nateker (2006) PE, out of 1000 fingerprints, breast cancer women had 66.6% loops, 33% whorls, and 0.4% arches, whereas the control group had 63.8% whorls, 35.5% loops, and 0.75% arches. There was presence of more than six loops in breast cancer patients, but they did not mention types of loop, whether ulnar or radial.

Our study also goes in according to Nateker study of 1450 fingerprints; breast cancer patients had 66.20% ulnar loops, 26% whorls, 4.13% arches, and 3.24% radial loops, whereas the control group had 50.75% whorls, 17.58% arches, 15.37% ulnar loops, and 16.27% radial loops.

Oladipo has observed a significant association with ulnar loop in 8 of 10 digits in Nigerians and he has concluded that their dermatoglyphic findings will serve as a baseline in the identification of patients at increased risk of developing breast cancer.

In the present study, we have observed that the ulnar loops are frequently found in breast carcinoma females in comparison to the control group; this is an important finding.

Aparajita Raizada et al. (2013)^[17] found that radial loops are less frequently associated with cancer cases (3.24% cases and 16.27% controls). We also found less association of radial loops with cancer breast.

In contrast to the findings of the above studies, Seltzer et al. in 1982 and 1990^[18], Chintamaniet et al. in 2007^[19], Lavanyaet et al (2012).^[20], Abhilasha (2013)^[21], and Sakinehabbasiet et al. in 2006^[22] quoted that whorls were found in more than six finger severy cancer patient.

Conclusion

On the basis of fingerprint patterns, it was concluded that the ulnar loop pattern was frequently found in breast cancer patients as compared to the control group.

The present study concludes that the dermatoglyphic pattern is an easy, cost-effective, and noninvasive procedure and would serve as a tool for early screening of breast carcinoma patients with predisposing factor in the age group of 25–70 years.

This study can be helpful in early diagnosis and treatment; preventive measure can be taken early to avoid the risk and complications of breast cancer, which could occur in advancing age.

Clinical significance of dermatoglyphics in breast cancer

Based on the dermatoglyphic patterns patients can be identified. These patients may then be referred to gene therapy for identification of muted genes by karyotyping. This helps in analysis of transmission of these genes and also can be helpful in counseling of patients.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

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