In a nutshell
This paper compared the location of triple-negative breast cancer with estrogen receptor positive breast cancer using magnetic resonance imaging (type of scan).
Some background
Studies have shown that the location of cancer could affect its growth. The location of cancer can also be used to predict the outcome in patients. Studies have reported that patients with tumors on the medial (inner) side of the breast have worse outcome.
Triple-negative breast cancer refers to breast cancer without prosterone receptor, estrogen receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. Triple-negative breast cancers have been reported to have poorer outcome compared with estrogen receptor positive (presence of estrogen receptor) cancers.
Methods & findings
846 cancers that were estrogen positive and 256 cancers that were triple-negative were studied. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI scan) was performed. These images were then analyzed by radiologists.
Triple-negative breast cancers tended to be located closer to the chest wall compared to estrogen receptor positive breast cancers.
Patients with tumors in the inner side of the breast were significantly younger than those with tumors in the centre of the breast. Younger patients tended to have tumors that were located closer to the chest wall.
The bottom line
The authors concluded that triple-negative breast cancers tended to be located closer to the chest wall than estrogen-positive breast cancer.
Published By :
PLOS ONE
Date :
Jan 21, 2015
