title: Metaplastic breast carcinomas - analysis of prognostic factors in a case series.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Metaplastic breast carcinomas (MBC) are a rare group of cancers, accounting for about 1% of all breast cancers. The study presents a case series of MBC patients diagnosed, treated and followed up in one healthcare center.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study group comprised 18 women at the median age of 63 years. The most common carcinoma type in the study group was MBC with squamous epithelial differentiation (56%). Estrogen receptor expression was identified in one patient. No steroid or HER2 receptor expression was found in the remaining patients. We analyzed recurrence and survival rates in relation to clinical and therapeutic factors by using the Kaplan-Meier method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significantly longer overall survival time was noted among patients treated with adjuvant radiation therapy, p = 0.018. No other factors had a significant influence on survival. Because of the small size of the study group, results obtained in the study should be treated with caution.
authors: Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology, Gliwice Branch, Poland.
authors: Elżbieta
authors: E
authors: Nowara
authors: Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology, Gliwice Branch, Poland.
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Drosik
authors: Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology, Gliwice Branch, Poland.
authors: Marzenna
authors: M
authors: Samborska-Plewicka
authors: Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology, Gliwice Branch, Poland.
authors: Ewa Magdalena
authors: EM
authors: Nowara
authors: Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology, Gliwice Branch, Poland.
authors: Agata
authors: A
authors: Stanek-Widera
keywords: chemotherapy; metaplastic breast cancer; prognostic factors; radiotherapy