Analysis of the epidemiological and histopathological profiles of patients with triple negative breast cancer in a referral hospital in Paraíba

Introduction: Based on the incorporation of technologies and studies aimed at breast cancer over the years, it is now possible to identify several subtypes of the disease, which end up influencing the treatment and prognosis of patients. Among these subtypes, the immunohistochemical composition of the triple negative (TN), due to the absence of hormone and HER2 receptors, is a challenge because it has fewer therapeutic targets, in addition to a differentiated natural history and epidemiology.

Methods: The study is observational, cross-sectional, and retrospective, conducted at the Napoleão Laureano Hospital in João Pessoa, Paraíba. The sample consisted of breast cancer patients treated between 2015 and 2020, selected non-probabilistically. Data collected includes age, cancer history, tumor markers, and clinical staging. Statistical analysis used non-parametric tests and regression models to assess associations between histological subtypes and clinical factors.

Results: 220 patients attended from 2015 to 2020 at the Napoleão Laureano hospital, in Paraíba, were included for the analysis of anatomopathological and epidemiological characteristics. Among them, 25 had the TN subtype. The variables age, KI-67 expression, family history of cancer, lymphocytic tumor infiltrate (TIL) and clinical staging were used to compare the subtype in relation to the others, the latter being divided into stages I and II or III and IV. For the analysis of age at diagnosis, the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare the mean ranks between the subtypes, with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) between the TN subtype for older ages. As for the other variables, no differences were observed between the subtypes based on the Odds Ratio analysis and the logistic regression model for risk factors, except for the expression of KI-67, which is higher in the TN subtype compared to the luminal subtypes, which may indicate greater cell proliferation.

Conclusion: Data collection was affected by the pandemic and issues with physical records. The study found that breast cancer heterogeneity depends on a combination of factors, not isolated ones. Larger studies should be undertaken to better stratify the profile of the neoplasm that most affects women worldwide, especially with the worst prognosis subtype, the triple negative.

Corresponding author: Ana Barbosa de Oliveira (e-mail: ana.barbosa2@academico.ufpb.br).