Abstract
BACKGROUND:
The results of radiation on the local control of triple receptorβnegative breast cancer (negative estrogen [ER], progesterone [PR], and HERβ2/neu receptors) was studied.
METHODS:
Conservative surgery and radiation were used in 753 patients with T1βT2 breast cancer. Three groups were defined by receptor status: Group 1: ER or PR (+); Group 2: ER and PR (β) but HERβ2 (+); and Group 3: tripleβnegative (TN). Factors analyzed were age, menopausal status, race, stage, tumor size, lymph node status, presentation, grade, extensive in situ disease, margins, and systemic therapy. The primary endpoint was 5βyear locoregional recurrence (LRR) isolated or total with distant metastases.
RESULTS:
ERβ and PRβnegative patients were statistically significantly more likely to be black, have T2 disease, have tumors detectable on both mammography and physical examination, have grade 3 tumors, and receive chemotherapy. There were no significant differences noted with regard to ERβ and PRβ patients by HERβ2 status. There was a significant difference noted in rates of first distant metastases (3%, 12%, and 7% for Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively; P = .009). However, the isolated 5βyear LRR was not significantly different (2.3%, 4.6%, and 3.2%, respectively; P = .36) between the 3 groups.
CONCLUSIONS:
Patients with TN breast cancer do not appear to be at a significantly increased risk for isolated LRR at 5 years and therefore remain appropriate candidates for breast conservation. Cancer 2009. Β© 2009 American Cancer Society.