Clinical characteristics of triple-negative breast cancer: experience in an Asian developing country.
BACKGROUND
Triple negative (TN) breast cancers are defined by a lack of expression of oestrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors. They tend to have a higher grade, with a poorer outcome compared to non-TN breast cancers.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to determine the incidence of TN breast cancer in an Asian country consisting of Malays, Chinese and Indians, and to determine the factors associated with this type of breast cancer.


RESULTS
The incidence of TN breast cancer in the University Malaya Medical Center is 17.6%. There is no significant difference amongst the Malays, Chinese and Indians. In bivariate analysis, TN breast cancer was significantly associated with younger age and Grade 3. However, in multivariate analysis using logistic regression, TN breast cancer was only associated with Grade 3.


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of TN breast cancer in our study is similar to other studies, and associated with a higher grade.
Tan
G H
GH
Dept of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Taib
Nur Aishah
NA
Choo
W Y
WY
Teo
S H
SH
Yip
Cheng Har
CH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044466:Asian People; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; C508053:ERBB2 protein, human