Local therapy for triple-negative breast cancer: a comprehensive review

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Breast Cancer Research
• Surgical Oncology

Background:

• Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) presents an aggressive clinical course, necessitating focused research.
• Optimal local treatment strategies for TNBC remain a critical area of clinical inquiry.
• Comparison with hormone-receptor positive subtypes highlights TNBC's distinct challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and analyze outcomes for triple-negative breast cancer.
• To evaluate the impact of local therapy (breast-conserving therapy vs. mastectomy) on TNBC outcomes.
• To assess recurrence risks in the context of immunohistochemistry, gene expression, and neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Main Methods:

• Review of observational reports and existing literature.
• Analysis of outcomes stratified by immunohistochemistry and gene expression profiles.
• Examination of local therapy types (breast-conserving therapy and mastectomy) and neoadjuvant chemotherapy effects.

Main Results:

• Locoregional recurrence risk in TNBC appears comparable to other breast cancer subtypes.
• Distant recurrence remains a significant concern, underscoring the need for improved systemic treatments.
• Current evidence is insufficient to definitively recommend breast-conserving therapy over mastectomy or vice versa for TNBC.

Conclusions:

• While local control is achievable, distant metastasis is a primary challenge in TNBC management.
• Further research is required to establish the optimal local surgical approach for TNBC.
• Enhanced systemic therapies are crucial for improving outcomes in triple-negative breast cancer.