Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2004 ASCO Annual Meeting Proceedings (Post-Meeting Edition).
Vol 22, No 14S (July 15 Supplement), 2004: 682
© 2004 American Society of Clinical Oncology

This Article Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Altaha, R. Articles by Abraham, J. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Altaha, R. Articles by Abraham, J.

Abstract

Risk of brain metastases in HER2/neu-positive breast cancer

West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV

682

Background: Preliminary data indicate HER2/neu over-expression correlates with more aggressive disease, increased metastatic potential, and a poorer prognosis in patients with breast cancer. We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate whether patients with HER2/neu-positive breast cancer have an increased risk of developing brain metastases. Material and Methods: The pathology reports of 405 breast cancer patients diagnosed between April 1998 and January 2003 were reviewed. Based upon immunohistochemistry (IHC 3+) or FISH positivity, all HER2/neu-positive cases were identified and their medical charts reviewed for disease course and sites of metastases. Results: One hundred ten of the 405 patients (27%) were HER2/neu positive; sufficient oncologic history was available for 67 patients (24 premenopausal; 43 postmenopausal). Eighteen patients (27%) developed distant metastases (CI 95%: 0.177, 0.385) during follow-up lasting a median of 57 months. Brain metastases developed in 33.3% (6 out of 18)(CI 95%: 0.163, 0.562) of patients, five of who were <50 years of age; the sixth was 53 years old. The median time from diagnosis of breast cancer to development of brain metastases was 24 months (range 8 months –30 months) among the five patients <50 years old. The sixth patient found to have innumerable brain metastases in hemispheres, cerebellum and brain stem, 48 months after breast cancer diagnosis. There was a significant association (p=0.0485) between age of the patients and development of brain metastases in HER2/neu-positive breast cancer. Discussion: This small retrospective study shows that younger women with HER/2-neu-positive breast cancer may have a higher risk than reported for general metastatic breast cancer population, of developing brain metastases. This finding, if validated in larger studies, may alter treatment strategies for premenopausal patients with HER/2-neu-positive disease.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.