Pregnancy-Associated Breast Cancer Compared to Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Less Than 40 Year-Old of Age

Abstract

Purpose : The aims of this study were to investigate clinicopathological characteristics and outcomes of pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC) and to determine the implications of pregnancy itself on the prognosis of PABC. Methods : Clinicopathological features, treatment patterns, and survival of 14 PABC patients were compared to those of 855 invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) patients under 40 years of age, who were treated between 1987 and 2007, using a chi-square test, the Kaplan-Meier method, and Cox’s hazards models. PABC was defined as breast cancer diagnosed during pregnancy or within the first year after delivery. Results : Among 14 PABCs, 7 were diagnosed during pregnancy and 7, during the first postpartum year. The mean duration of the symptoms was 7.6 months. The mean age at diagnosis of PABC and IDC under 40 years was 32.6 and 34.6 years, respectively (p=0.044). All PABCs were ductal type. Hormone receptors, treatment modalities, and tumor and node stage were not statistically different between PABC and IDC under 40 years. Five-year diseasefree, locoregional relapse-free, distant relapse-free, and overall survival of PABC was 57.1%, 71.3%, 56.4%, and 70.0%, respectively. Survival was not significantly different between two groups. In Cox°Øs models, PABC was not associated with survival outcomes. Among PABCs, there was no statistical difference in survival between patients diagnosed before and after delivery. Conclusion : Pregnancy itself does not increase the risk of poorer outcomes among young breast cancer patients. Vigilant diagnosis and multidisciplinary treatment should be recommended to best manage woman with PABC and her baby.