Epidemiology of triple negative breast cancer in Nigerian women

Abstract

10504 Background: The epidemiology and immunohistochemistry of breast cancer in indigenous African populations is not well known with many studies relying on small case series. In this communication, we report a preliminary report from our study of the immunohistochemistry of breast tumors in Nigeria, highlighting the epidemiological characteristics of the “triple-negative” breast cancers and comparing these with non-triple negative breast tumors. Methods: 111 consecutive breast cancer patients presenting at the Oncology Clinic of the University College Hospital had tumor biopsied and demographic and epidemiological information collected. Standard histological and immunohistochemical analysis was done for ER, PR and HER2 status. Results: Most tumors were ER+ (65%, 69/106), PR+ (60%, 56/94) and HER2_ (91%, 82/90). 17% (13/76) of our patients had triple negative tumors. Patients with triple negative tumors were younger than those with triple negative (49.6 vs. 55.3 years p = 0.31), had shorter duration of symptoms (12.2 vs 20.7 months, p-value 0.18), later age at onset of menarche (17.4 vs 15.3, p-value = 0.25), lower BMI (27.2 vs 40.2, p-value = 0.01), greater height (157 vs 148 cm, p-value = 0.03), lower waist-hip ratio (0.84 vs 0.88, p-value = 0.16) and none of them had a positive family history of breast cancer. Conclusions: Contrary to previous reports, tumors in these African patients displayed immunohistochemical characteristics similar to those reported from Caucasian and other populations. Triple negative tumors were more likely to be associated with lower BMI and greater height, but more studies are needed. No significant financial relationships to disclose.