Abstract

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) and its features. Second highlight what is new and applicable in our setting.

Material and methods: Data of all immunohistochemical typed blocks for breast cancer was pulled and only those negative for Estrogen Receptor (ER), Progesterone Receptor (PgR) and Her 2 Neuro Receptor (HER-2) amplification were used.

Results: Of 417 breast specimens in 3-years with ER negative, PgR negative and Her-2 amplification negative, 149 (35.7%) were TNBC. 143 were females 96% and 6 were males 4%. Median age was in the 31-40 years. Most presented at a late stage as in many other cases 48 (32% presenting at stage 4 while 47 (31.5%) presented at stage 3, 43 (29%) had no clear records so were marked as unknown. Treatment applied was taxane combination chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. Baseline survival data after 5 years stood at 63.5% for stage 2, 59% for stage 3. No stage 4 was seen after 5 years follow up.

Conclusion: Most presented late at stage 3 or 4 as premenopausal and survival was poor at 59% of stage 3. Literature suggests some will benefit from tamoxifen despite TNBC status if they have TP53 mutation.

Keywords: ESR1-negative breast cancer; Triple-negative breast cancer; Luminal tumors; Breast cancer; Treatment; Chemotherapy