Triple-negative breast cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (pronunciation: tri-puhl neg-uh-tiv brest kan-ser) is a subtype of breast cancer that is characterized by the absence of three significant receptors known to fuel most breast cancer growth–estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, and excessive HER2 protein.

Etymology

The term "Triple-negative" refers to the fact that the cancer cells lack the presence of three receptors: estrogen, progesterone, and HER2/neu. The term "breast cancer" refers to a malignant tumor that has developed from cells in the breast.

Definition

Triple-negative breast cancer is a kind of breast cancer that does not have any of the three types of receptors that are commonly found in breast cancers. These receptors are:

• Estrogen receptors (ER)
• Progesterone receptors (PR)
• Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)

Characteristics

Triple-negative breast cancer is more likely to affect younger people, those with a BRCA1 mutation, and the African American and Hispanic women. It is also more aggressive than other types of breast cancer and has fewer treatment options because it does not respond to hormonal therapy or therapies that target HER2 receptors.

Treatment

Treatment for triple-negative breast cancer typically involves a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Because the cancer does not have hormone receptors, hormone therapy is not effective. Similarly, because the cancer does not have HER2 receptors, drugs that target HER2 are not effective.

Prognosis

The prognosis for triple-negative breast cancer is generally poorer than for other types of breast cancer, primarily because there are fewer targeted medicines that treat triple-negative breast cancer and because it often spreads more quickly than other types of breast cancer.

Related Terms

• Breast Cancer
• Estrogen receptor
• Progesterone receptor
• Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2
• BRCA1
• Surgery
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Triple-negative breast cancer
• Wikipedia's article - Triple-negative breast cancer

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