Patterns of recurrence and survival in breast cancer

Breast cancer is the leading cause of death affecting women worldwide, according to mortality estimation and incidence. In Chile, breast cancer ranks third among cancer mortality rates. Two-hundred and eighty-three breast cancer patients registered at the Gustavo Fricke Hospital of Viña del Mar, Chile, were studied to assess the influence of several factors on the recurrence and survival of breast cancer patients. Patients selected had 5-year post-surgery recurrences of breast cancer and had an average of 58.5 years of age. The variables considered in these patients were the quadrants involved, stage of the tumor, type of recurrence, type of exams, type of surgery, the grade of tumor in relation to Broder's classification and pathology of tumor. The results indicated that the superior external right and left quadrants, Stage IIA, loco-regional recurrences, lumpectomies with axillar lymph node removal and after 5 years, Grade II were prevalent in this population. Among the pathologies analyzed, the ductal carcinomas were the most commonly found and were positive for PCNA, β-catenin, cytokeratin 18 and ErbB2 protein expression. A median follow-up of 60 months of survival was achieved in 95% of patients. However, those cases with a recurrence of breast cancer had only 40% survival. The risk of mortality was significantly greater when recurrence was present (P<0.0001). The global probability of survival of the patients reached 72% after 5 years. It can be concluded that early detection of breast cancer allows for control of the disease and avoids remissions, or at least extends survival.