Prognostic factors in triple-negative breast cancer: a retrospective cohort

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by lack of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expression and accounts for 15-20% of all breast cancers. This study aims to analyze prognostic factors related to a reduction in overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and risk of mortality and recurrence in TNBC.METHODS: This is a retrospective observational cohort study. Medical records of 532 patients with breast cancer diagnosed from 2007 to 2020 were analyzed. Of these patients, 93 (17%) were women with TNBC. Ten medical records were excluded, and the final sample was composed of 83 women with TNBC. OS and DFS were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier model. Univariate analysis (log-rank test) and multivariate analysis (Cox regression) were used to examine prognostic factors related to a statistically significant reduction (p<0.05) in OS and DFS and increased risk of mortality and tumor recurrence.RESULTS: Smoking, advanced clinical stage, larger tumor size, angiolymphatic invasion, positive sentinel lymph node, axillary node involvement, higher cancer burden, surgical treatment with mastectomy, and recurrence were related to a significant decrease in OS and/or DFS and increased risk of mortality and/or recurrence in TNBC. The 10-year OS and DFS was around 61 and 65%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Advanced clinical stage, positive sentinel lymph node, axillary node involvement, surgical treatment with mastectomy, and higher residual cancer burden were related to a significant reduction in OS and DFS and increased risk of mortality and recurrence in TNBC.

Survival Analysis of Patients with Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A Single-Center Experience

“…The mean age of patients in our study was 52.2 years, and the literature data were found to be consistent. [12][13][14][15][16][17][18] Although a significant relationship was observed between age and OS in our study, no significant relationship was found in the study by Costa et al 18 The histological grade is among the best established prognostic factors for breast cancer, and the majority of patients with TNBC have a high tumor grade. 5 Consistent with the literature, the majority of patients in our cohort also had a high tumor grade and their OS was worse, again similar to that reported in the literature.…”

“…5 Consistent with the literature, the majority of patients in our cohort also had a high tumor grade and their OS was worse, again similar to that reported in the literature. [12][13][14][15][16][17][18] Only a few other smaller studies have reported that grade has no role in determining survival outcomes. 17,19 Certain studies have reported that tumor size and lymph node status are significantly associated with OS in patients with TNBC.…”