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Her-2 prognostic value in very early-stage breast cancer: a single-institution retrospective analysis

Medical Oncology volume 29, pages 459–465 (2012)Cite this article

Abstract

To evaluate overall survival, distant metastases-free survival and local relapse-free survival rates in a subgroup of patients affected by breast cancer expressing Her-2/neu. Data of 195 women affected by very early-stage breast cancer (pT1a-b pN0) who underwent whole breast radiotherapy after conservative surgery with or without chemotherapy and/or hormone therapy between January 2000 and December 2006 were evaluated. Chi-square test was used to compare the distribution of variables (age, tumour histology, oestrogens and progesterone receptors, tumour grading and adjuvant chemotherapy) between Her-2-positive and Her-2-negative patients. Survival rates were analysed with Kaplan–Meier curves; impact of variables on poor outcome was evaluated with Cox regression method. Median follow-up time was 63.5 months (range 13.8–113.6). Her-2/neu-positive patients (32/16.4%), compared to Her-2/neu-negative patients (163/83.6%), were younger (P = 0.0001), were affected by ductal infiltrating carcinoma (P = 0.039), had negative oestrogens receptors (P = 0.0001) and were not treated with chemotherapy (P = 0.001). Her-2-positive patients had lower overall survival (P = 0.00001) and lower distant metastases-free survival (P = 0.00001) compared to Her-2-negative patients, but no difference in local relapse-free survival was found between the two groups (P = 0.28). After multivariate analysis, Her-2-positive status was a prognostic factor for overall survival (P = 0.00001) and for distant metastases-free survival (P = 0.0001), but not for local relapse-free survival (P = 0.97). Her-2-positive patients have lower overall survival and distant metastases-free survival when compared to Her-2 negative patients but similar local relapse-free survival rates. These patients could be treated with conservative surgery, if feasible, but should receive more aggressive and tailored systemic adjuvant therapies.

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Acknowledgment

The authors thank Dr. Loreta Sanpaolo for helping us with this manuscript. All Authors participated in the study design, in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data, in the writing of the manuscript and in the decision to submit the manuscript for publication. No study sponsors had involvement in this manuscript.

Conflict of interest

All authors disclose any financial and personal relationships with other people or organizations that could inappropriately influence (bias) this work.

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  1. Radiation Oncology Department, Regional Cancer Centre of Basilicata (CROB), Via Padre Pio 1, 85028, Rionero in Vulture, PZ, Italy

    Pietro Sanpaolo, Viviana Barbieri, Piernicola Pedicini & Vincenzo Fusco

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  1. Pietro Sanpaolo
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  2. Viviana Barbieri
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  3. Piernicola Pedicini
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Correspondence to Pietro Sanpaolo.

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Sanpaolo, P., Barbieri, V., Pedicini, P. et al. Her-2 prognostic value in very early-stage breast cancer: a single-institution retrospective analysis. Med Oncol 29, 459–465 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12032-011-9869-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12032-011-9869-0

Keywords

  • Early-stage breast cancer
  • Conservative therapy
  • Radiation therapy
  • Her-2/neu oncogene