Abstract

Abstract Abstract #2093 Background: Previous studies have described triple negative (TN) breast cancer (ER/PR/ HER2/neu negative) as an aggressive and poor prognostic phenotype with higher relapse rate (RR), distant RR, and shorter survival. The incidence of TN breast cancer has reportedly been higher (30-35%) in African American (AA) women compared to the general population (15%) but the clinical outcomes of TN patients (pts) who develop brain metastases compared to the non-triple negative (NTN) group has not been well described.
 Methods: We retrospectively reviewed tumor registry data from a large academic medical center serving an inner city population. A total of 282 AA women with invasive breast cancer were identified from 1994-2006 and 248 were determined to be in stages I-III. Characteristics evaluated include age, TNM stage at diagnosis, ER, PR, Her2/neu status, and grade. The RR, distant RR, rate of brain metastases, time from diagnosis to brain metastases, and overall survival were determined.
 Results: The incidence of TN disease in AA women was 30% (82/282). Median age (57 yrs) was similar in both TN and NTN groups. With a median follow-up of 5.5 years, the RR (30% vs. 14%; p=0.02) and distant RR (22% vs. 10%; p=0.02) were higher for the TN vs. NTN group. Six of 72 (9%) TN pts developed brain metastases compare to 6/178 (3%) in NTN group. There was a shorter time to development of brain metastases (1.7 vs. 6.1; p=0.01) and a lower survival time after brain metastases (0.6 yrs vs. 1.6 yrs) in the TN vs. NTN group.
 
 Conclusion: This study represents one of the largest reported series of AA women with breast cancer. TN pts are at higher risk of developing brain metastases. Not only the time to develop brain metastases was shorter but overall survival after development of brain metastases remained poor in TN group compared to NTN group. TN status should be considered as an independent risk factor for the development of brain metastases. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 2093.

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