Evaluation of Palmar Angles in Carcinoma Breast Patients and in Normal Healthy Females

Abstract

Introduction: The term dermatoglyphics was coined by Cummins and Midlo in 1926. It applies to a unique division of anatomy which includes study of palm and toe prints. Palm prints include much more information than finger print. Palmar studies are much easier to study and interpret as compared to fingerprints. Aim: To study the palmar angles in carcinoma breast patients and in normal healthy individuals. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in which palm prints of 100 breast cancer patients were taken as cases and were compared with those of healthy females without breast cancer, taken as controls. The parameters in this study were palmar angles (‘atd’,‘dat’,‘tda’). The means of ‘atd’, ‘tda’ and ‘dat’ angles were compared between right and left hands of cases and controls to establish the symmetry. Results: Mean ‘atd’ angles in cancer cases were (44.9±6.04) as compared to controls (43.2±5.74). The mean ‘atd’ angle was significantly higher in cancer cases as compared to controls (p<0.05). The ‘tda’ angle in carcinoma of breast patients was 76.4±6.80 and in control it was 77.7±5.27 and ‘dat’ angle in carcinoma breast patients was 58.9±6.83 and in control it was 59.2±5.58 The angles ‘tda’ and ‘dat’ did not vary significantly between cancer patients and controls. Conclusion: These angles play a significant role in assessing the dermatoglyphic difference between the cancer breast patients and normal healthy females. It can be used as a screening tool in assessing the carcinoma breast cases.

Keywords

• atd’ angles
• ‘tda’ angles
• ‘dat’ angles
• malignancy of breast