Min Sun Bae MD, PhD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Woo Kyung Moon, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Nariya Cho MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Jung Min Chang MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Su Hyun Lee MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Won Hwa Kim MD, MS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Hye Ryoung Koo MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Hye Mi Gweon MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Mirinae Seo MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

A Jung Chu MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) defined as a tumor that is negative for estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and HER2 is a biologically aggressive subgroup with poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to identify imaging and clinicopathologic factors associated with breast cancer recurrence in patients with TNBC.

Of 3237 patients with invasive breast cancer diagnosed between January 2003 and December 2008, 515 patients who underwent breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy were diagnosed with TNBC. 55 patients who had neoadjuvant chemotherapy were excluded. Among 459 patients (median age, 47 years; range, 21-81 years), 69 (15%) had locoregional (n=32) or distant (n=37) recurrence after a median follow-up of 51 months. The imaging and clinicopathologic data were examined. The univariate and multivariate analyses were performed.

Age, family history of breast cancer, histologic type, histologic grade, surgical margin status, and adjuvant therapy showed no significant differences between recurrent group and non-recurrent group (P > .0969). In the multivariate analysis, preoperative breast MRI (P < .0001), mammographic breast density (P = .0034), and LN metastasis (P = .0005) were independent factors associated with recurrence in TNBC patients. The recurrence was more frequent in women without preoperative MRI (n=66) compared to women with preoperative MRI (n=393) (35% vs 12%; adjusted odds ratio [OR], 4.81; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.51 to 9.20), in women with dense breasts (BIRADS density 3 or 4; n=319) compared to women with non-dense breasts (BIRADS density 1 or 2; n=140) (17% vs 10%; OR, 2.86; 95% CI, 1.14 to 5.78), and in patients with LN metastasis (n=138) compared to patients without LN metastasis (n=321) (24% vs 11%; OR 2.72; 95% CI, 1.55 to 4.81).     

Risk factors associated with breast cancer recurrence were the lack of preoperative MRI, dense breast tissue on mammography, and LN metastasis. These factors can be predictive of the likelihood of recurrence in TNBC patients.

The use of preoperative breast MRI should be considered for TNBC patients with dense breast tissue.

Bae, M, Moon, W, Cho, N, Chang, J, Lee, S, Kim, W, Koo, H, Gweon, H, Seo, M, Chu, A, Imaging and Clinicopathologic Factors Associated with Recurrence in Triple-negative Breast Cancers  .  Radiological Society of North America 2013 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, December 1 - December 6, 2013 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2013/13026238.html