Abstract P5-03-05: Triple Negative Breast Cancer: Prognosis Dependent on Presenting Stage Rather Than Receptor Status

Abstract

Abstract Purpose: To investigate the differences in survival and prognostic factors such as age at diagnosis, stage, size of tumor, mode of identification, treatment and family history between patients that have triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) and those who are not (at least one positive marker). Methods: a retrospective chart review was conducted on 1018 eligible breast cancer patients who were diagnosed between 2000 and 2005 in Essex, Kent, and Lambton counties in Ontario. Results: Our demographic findings supported those of previous publications whereby age at diagnosis was younger for TNBC patients (53.2 vs 60.9 respectively; p < 0.001). The frequency of stage III cancer was higher among TNBC patients than that of other cancer patients (16.2% and 6.3%, respectively; p > 0.001). Frequency of self detection was higher among TNBC patients compared to patients with other cancers (76.8% and 56.4%, respectively; p <.001). Perhaps most importantly, while TNBC had had HR of 2.29 (95%CI = 1.33 - 2.93), the adjusted survival analysis suggested that there was no significant difference in the overall survival between the two groups (HR = 1.22; 95%CI = .63 - 2.39). The significant predictors of survival in the adjusted analysis were; age, stage of cancer, and size of cancer. Conclusions: We believe that this is the first indication that patients with TNBC do as well as their non-TNBC cohorts when matched for stage at presentation. Future studies need to focus on identification of patients who are at increased risk of TNBC so appropriate screening tests can be obtained. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-03-05.