Incidence and Outcome of Breast Sarcomas in England (2013–2018): An analysis from the National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service

Abstract

BackgroundBreast sarcomas (BS) are rare cancers originating from mesenchymal breast tissue with a paucity of national population level data detailing their incidence and outcomes. MethodsWe performed an analysis of data collected by National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service (NCRAS) for patients diagnosed with BS between 2013 and 2018. Chi-square test was used to compare groups. Overall survival (OS) was calculated by Kaplan–Meier. Specialist sarcoma centres (SSC) were defined as centres with a sarcoma multidisciplinary team (MDT). ResultsThere were 684 patients with BS (357 malignant phyllodes tumours [PTs], 238 vascular tumours, 93 other morphology) with a median age of 64 (range 14–96); 187 (27%) had received breast radiotherapy for a prior malignancy; 633 (92%) had resection of the tumour within 12 months of diagnosis. Five-year OS was 82%, 54% and 48% in patients with PT, vascular tumours and other sarcomas, respectively, and 55% for those with radiation-induced BS. Patients managed within SSC more frequently had a biopsy prior to surgery 83% versus 72%, p < 0.05) and were less likely to require multiple operations (26% versus 41%, p < 0.05). Tumour stage and grade data were not available. ConclusionThis is the first population series evaluating incidence and outcomes for BS. Patients treated at non-specialist sarcoma centres (NSSCs) are less likely to have a biopsy prior to surgery and more likely to require multiple operations. Based on these observational data, we would recommend all BS are discussed at a sarcoma MDT meeting early in their pathway and surgery to be considered at SSC where possible.