Triple-negative breast cancer: An institutional analysis.

AIM

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is defined by the lack of expression of the estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER 2)/neu. It has been identified as an independent poor prognostic factor for survival. The aim of this study was to compare the clinico-pathological characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients with TNBC and non-TNBC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We carried out an analysis of 706 patients with invasive breast cancer between January 2007 and December 2011 in whom information on the status of ER, PR, and HER2/neu were available.

RESULTS

One hundred and fifty-five patients (21.9%) patients had TNBC. Patients with TNBC had a significantly lower median age [46.2 vs. 49.8 years; P = 0.005, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.98 to 2.38] and a higher proportion of high-grade tumors as compared to the non-TNBC group (43 vs. 24%; P < 0.0001). After a median follow-up of 30 months, the three-year relapse-free survival (RFS) was significantly lower in the TNBC group (76 vs. 64%; log rank P = 0.002). Three-year overall survival (OS) was lower in the TNBC group but not statistically significant. Age <49 years, higher nodal stage, and larger tumor size (>5 cm) were associated with poor outcome.

CONCLUSION

TNBC is significantly associated with younger age and high-grade tumors and constitutes 21.9% of all breast cancers in our institute. Triple negativity was a significantly poor prognostic factor for RFS but not OS.