Pregnancy-related breast cancer: 14-year experience in a tertiary institution in Hong Kong

Background

The incidence of pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC) is increasing. Its tumor characteristics and overall survival compared with those in nonpregnant patients remain controversial. While there have been suggestions that PABC patients have a 40 % increase in the risk of death compared to non-pregnant patients, other studies suggested similar disease outcomes. This study aims to review our local experience with PABC.

Methods

Twenty-eight patients diagnosed with PABC and twenty-eight patients diagnosed at premenopausal age randomly selected by a computer-generated system during the same period were recruited. Background characteristics, tumor features, and survival were compared.

Results

Among the twenty-eight pregnant patients, seventeen were diagnosed during pregnancy, and eleven were diagnosed in the postpartum period. Compared to the non-pregnant breast cancer patients, they presented with less progesterone receptor-positive tumor (35.7 % vs. 64.2 %, p = 0.03). Although there was no statistically significant difference in tumor size (p = 0.44) and nodal status (p = 0.16), the tumor tended to be larger in size (2.94 +/− 1.82 vs 2.40 +/− 1.69 cm) and with more nodal involvement (35.7 % vs 25.0 %). There was also a trend of delayed presentation to medical attention, with a mean duration of 13.1 weeks in the PABC group and 8.6 weeks in the control group. However, the overall survival did not differ (p = 0.63).

Conclusion

PABC is increasing in incidence. They tend to have more aggressive features, but overall survival remains similar. A multidisciplinary approach is beneficial for providing the most appropriate care.