Abstract
Introduction: Triple‐negative breast cancer patients have a worse prognosis as compared to other subtypes of breast cancer. Patients are usually diagnosed at a younger age. Tumor size is usually larger with poorly differentiated histology and possible visceral metastasis. Several studies have been published on the risk factors for developing triple negative breast cancer. On the other hand, factors predicting mortality after diagnosis among triple negative breast cancer patients is still lacking.
Objectives: The study aimed to describe the population of triple negative breast cancer patients diagnosed at Albert Einstein Medical Center from 2003–2007. Demographic data, risk factors and treatment interventions in this population were gathered. The measured outcomes were mortality and disease free survival.
Methods: This study was a retrospective review of women diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer at the Albert Einstein Healthcare Network Cancer Center in 2003–2007. Patients diagnosed with cancer metastasized to the breast and causes of death other than from complications of cancer were excluded from the study.
Statistical Analysis: Descriptive statistics and frequency distribution were used to categorize the characteristics of the subjects. Chi‐square test was used for bivariate analysis. Logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis.
Results: A total of 214 patients were diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer from 2003–2007. 114 (53%) were African Americans, 84 (39%) were Caucasians and 16 (7%) belonged to other racial groups. The mean age of diagnosis was 56.6 (SD 15.9) years old. At the end of the four year period, 48 (22.4%) of the 214 patients died. Using chi square test and logistic regression, patients who underwent chemotherapy were less likely to die (95% CI 0.14 – 0.83, p 0.02, OR 0.35). The patients with tumor size more than 2 cm or had history of ischemic heart disease had increased mortality (95% CI 1.36 – 8.04, p 0.01, OR 3.3 and 95% CI 1.29 – 49, p 0.03, respectively). Chemotherapy was significantly associated with disease free survival (95% CI 1.49 – 18.65, p 0.01, OR 5.27). There was no significant association between mortality or disease free survival to age and race.
Conclusion: Early diagnosis and screening significantly affects treatment and survival outcome. Prompt chemotherapy may contribute to a patient's survival and disease free status. Tumor size more than 2 cms and the presence of ischemic heart disease were significant predictors of mortality outcome whereas age and race were not found to be associated with mortality or disease free survival.
Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(1 Suppl):A132.
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