Triple negative breast cancer survival rate

By Ross Bonander, Tue, September 06, 2011
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Most cases of breast cancer are receptive to one of two types of treatment: use of Herceptin, or hormone (endocrine-based) therapy. When, through genetic analysis, a case of breast cancer has been determined to lack the following:

  • -- Estrogen receptors
  • -- Progesterone receptors
  • -- Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)

it is deemed to be triple negative breast cancer. Lacking these receptors, modern medical research has had to look for new pathways to fight this subtype of breast cancer, and treatment generally means a regimen of chemotherapy, with surgery and radiotherapy as adjuvant possibilities. While triple negative breast cancer is considered difficult to treat and aggressive, it does respond to chemotherapy and is therefore very treatable, especially when it is discovered in early stages.

Triple negative breast cancer survival rate

Generally speaking, triple negative breast cancer has a lower survival rate than other breast cancers, but it should be remembered that many factors play into survival rates, not simply subtype, and that the figures offered here are derived from large studies but every patient will have a different prognosis.

According to studies cited at Breastcancer.org, women with triple negative breast cancer (of all stages) have a five year survival rate of 77 percent, compared to women with other subtypes of breast cancer, who have a five year survival rate of 93 percent. Furthermore, having triple negative breast cancer does appear to raise the risk of death within five years of diagnosis compared to women with other subtypes of breast cancer, but after that five year time period, the risk diminishes.

However, we must mitigate these seemingly optimistic figures by noting that the mortality rate among African American women with triple negative breast cancer is much higher than it is in white women, and that it is uncommon for this cancer to be discovered in its earliest and most treatable stages.

Sources

BreastCancer.org, How Triple Negative Breast Cancer Behaves and Looks

Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Triple Negative Breast Cancer

When I was diagnose with

Submitted by DeedeeV on Fri, 2012-07-13 09:24.

When I was diagnose with Stage 1 triple neg breast cancer doctor told me a lumpectomy is just as successful as mastectomy but after three attemps to get clean margins and chemo and radiation it came

back. My surgery was at U of M. That approach, in case of trip neg, is too conservative. I went to Cleveland Clinic two years ago and had bylateral Mastectomy then a different chemo cocktail since the first drugs didnt kill the bad cells. CClinic said I never was cancer free. Make the hard decision and have the mastectomy. It came back to same breast and not in lymph nodes. I'm greatful to be here and feeling wonderful for 66. Started a Resale Shop while going through last round of chemo. Good to be busy and have great family and friends supporting me in many ways. :)

I have been recently

Submitted by brendahearn7 (not verified) on Fri, 2012-09-21 10:53.

I have been recently diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in right breast almost a year to the day after being diagnosed with ER+ in left breast. I underwent lumpectomy for both tumors. ER+ I completed chemo (taxotere and cytoxin)and am on Arimidex. No signs of return. First yearly mammogram found the 3negative and I feel fortunate for mammo screenings. Not in lymph nodes and will start chemo the first of the month. What I have learned is that detection is the key to finding these cancers and stopping them. I have met many women who are 3 negative and with lymph involvment, have survived 10 plus years and no recurrence. I pray that I join that group. Positive attitudes can take us to places we never imagined. Hang in there for all that may experience the similar dx. What sounds negative, is really more aggressive followup to find it before it spreads.

 

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