HER-2/neu en cáncer de mama localmente avanzado

Abstract

Introduction

Breast cancer is the first cause of death due to malignancies in women over 25 years old, with 70% of the tumours being locally advanced. The therapeutic decision is based on lymph node activity, receptor status, size of the primary tumour, and the clinical stage at the time of diagnosis. A new predictor is the HER-2/neu gene, which has emerged as a prognostic marker and therapeutic target. Literature reports an expression range from 9% to 74%, with an average relative risk of 2.74 for overall survival.

Objective

To determine the prevalence of HER-2/neu gene in patients with locally advanced breast cancer.

Material and methods

A retrospective study, historical cohort was conducted on females older than 18 years of age with the diagnosis of locally advanced breast cancer, who were attended from June 2008 to January 2014. They had to have immunohistochemistry performed for hormonal receptors and positivity for HER-2/neu, as well as a known site of metastasis.

Results

Of the 182 files included, an expression of 19.7% of HER-2/neu was found, with a tumour recurrence in 36%. The major site was bone, with 30.7%, of which 15.3% had a recurrence within 12-24 months, followed by lung and multiple sites in 23%, central nervous system in 15%, and locoregional in 7.7%.

Conclusions

The frequency of HER-2/neu in locally advanced breast cancer was 19.7%, with a major site of relapse to bone. There was also an increased occurrence with lobular histology, the type of receptor status, and menopause.