Clinicopathologic features of breast cancer in the Texas-Mexico border city of El Paso.

Abstract

e11549 Background: Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Hispanic women in Texas. El Paso, TX is a large border city of 900,000, 85% Hispanic. Very limited research has been published on this population. Methods: After IRB approval, we analyzed the variables at initial diagnosis of 111 consecutive patients with breast cancer treated at a single academic institution in El Paso, in 2011. Descriptive statistics were utilized. Results: Mean age was 54 years; 101 were Hispanics (91%), 4 White non-Hispanic, 4 African-Americans and 2 Middle Eastern. Six patients (5%) had stage 0, 61 (55%) localized (stages I and II), 32 (29%) loco-regional (stage III), and 12 (11%) stage IV disease. Histology was: 104 ductal (94%), 6 lobular (5%) and 1 neuroendocrine. Sixty two patients (59%) had Estrogen Receptor (ER) positive tumors versus 32 (31%) ER negative. 79 patients (75%) had HER2 negative and 25 (24%) HER2 positive tumors, 1 had unknown HER2. Sixty two (59%) invasive tumors were ER / PR positive/HER2 negative; 11 (10%) were ER/ PR positive/HER2 positive; 14 (13%) ER/PR negative/ HER2 positive; and 17 (16%) Triple negative. 36 patients (32%) were diagnosed at younger than 50 years; 13 (12%) between ages 30 and 40. 16 (45%) of these patients present at advanced or metastatic stages. The Median BMI was 35.5 (range 18-50.4). Treatment was as follows: Mastectomy 44 patients (42%) versus lumpectomy 56 (54%); 84 patients (76%) received chemotherapy and 71 patients (64%) received hormonal therapy. 14 patients (13 %) had cancer recurrences at median of 5.5 years. Conclusions: Consistent with other studies, Hispanic breast cancer patients in El Paso are diagnosed at a younger age , more advanced stages and have a higher prevalence of ER negative and HER2 positive tumors, compared to non-Hispanic historical controls. In addition, our patients had a higher prevalence of metastatic stage IV at diagnosis 11% compared to 6% statewide. Breast cancers among Hispanic women may comprise a distinct biologic spectrum of tumors. Also, more focused research looking at the geographical and socioeconomic differences should be conducted. Dietary and lifestyle habits should also be investigated. Increasing awareness particularly among young Hispanic women is needed.