Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) represents an aggressive type of breast cancer, with poor outcomes and high risk of recurrence. The aim of this was to determine the rate of local recurrence and overall mortality in those identified with TNBC.
Methods: A database of all patients diagnosed with breast cancer is prospectively maintained in our unit. Using this, all women diagnosed with TNBC between January 2012 and December 2014 were identified and included. Exclusion criteria included those with recurrence of a previous breast cancer, patients who were partially managed outside of our institution, and male patients.
Results: Fifty-eight patients were triple-negative (10.6%), of which 20 were node positive and 1 was metastatic at time of presentation. Fifty-three went on to have surgery (27 wide-local-excision, 26 mastectomy). Twenty-eight had neo-adjuvant chemotherapy whilst 22 had adjuvant chemotherapy. Four had neo-adjuvant radiotherapy compared with 44 adjuvants. Five were identified with local recurrence showing metastatic disease, with 11 metastatic in total; mean time to metastasis was 17.3 months from first presentation (range, 0–55 months). The mean length of follow up was 48.9 months (range, 1–82 months). Seven patients (12%) were confirmed to have died during follow up; mean age at death was 62 years (range, 23–82 years). Mean time to death was 29.29 months (range, 7–63 months).
Conclusions: These results compare with national and international morbidity and mortality rates, highlighting the aggressive nature of TNBC.
