Brain Metastasis is Associated with Tumor Size, Nodal Status, and c-erbB-2 Expression in Invasive Breast Carcinoma

Abstract

Abstract Introduction  According to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification, invasive breast carcinoma (IBC) of no special type (IBC-NST) is the second most common primary site of central nervous system metastases, affecting 15% to 30% of patients. Brain metastasis originating from IBC is associated with patient age, tumor size, and axillary lymph node status. Loss of expression of hormone receptors and c-erbB-2 amplification are frequent findings in patients who develop brain metastasis. Radiological studies of the central nervous system are carried out only in patients presenting with neurological signs or symptoms during the clinical follow-up. Objective  To evaluate the associations of clinical and pathological findings with brain metastasis in breast cancer. Materials and Methods  The sample comprised 73 patients with breast cancer who underwent mastectomy with lymph node resection. The following variables were evaluated: tumor size, histological grade, nodal state, expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors and c-erbB-2, and presence of brain metastasis. Results  The histopathological findings associated with brain metastasis in patients with IBC were tumor size ( p  = 0.03), presence of nodal metastasis ( p  = 0.045), and c-erbB-2 expression ( p  = 0.012). Conclusion  The assessment of specific pathological findings in breast carcinoma can help identify risk factors and/or clinical parameters associated with the development of brain metastasis.