Breast Cancer During Pregnancy: A Marked Propensity to Triple-Negative Phenotype.

Soumaya Allouch,Halema F. Al Farsi,Ishita Gupta,Ala-Eddin Al Moustafa,Shaza Malik,Semir Vranic

doi:10.3389/fonc.2020.580345

Abstract

Breast and cervical cancers comprise 50% of all cancers during pregnancy. In particular, gestational breast cancer is considered one of the most aggressive types of cancers, which is a rare but fatal disease. However, the incidence of this type of cancer is increasing over the years and its prevalence is expected to rise further as more women delay childbearing. Breast cancer occurring after pregnancy is generally triple negative with specific characterizations of a poorer prognosis and outcome. On the other hand, it has been pointed out that this cancer is associated with a specific group of genes which can be used as precise targets to manage this deadly disease. Indeed, combination therapies consisting of gene-based agents with other cancer therapeutics is presently under consideration. We herein review recent progress in understanding the development of breast cancer during pregnancy and their unique subtype of triple negative which is the hallmark of this type of breast cancer.

Highlights

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in females affecting more than 2.1 million women and causing more than half a million deaths annually [1]
The described subtype of breast cancer is reportedly associated with high-grade invasive ductal carcinomas and, when compared with other subtypes, triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC) was found to be larger with higher metastatic propensity to lungs, brain and other visceral organs
Pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC) incidence increases as women choose delayed childbirth, and while it is a rare form of breast cancer with a significant propensity for triple-negative phenotype; PABC is a diagnostically and therapeutically challenging disease bearing various risks for affected woman and fetus

Summary

Introduction

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in females affecting more than 2.1 million women and causing more than half a million deaths annually [1]. Dent et al reports that patients with TNBC were more likely to experience significant relapses and higher rates of death when compared with women suffering from other types of breast cancers [12]. The same group reports a four folds increase in the likelihood of visceral metastasis in TNBC patients when compared with other types of breast cancer [13].

Results

Conclusion