Three letters define one of the most feared kinds of breast cancer: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). This aggressive form of breast cancer resists hormones, meaning it doesn’t respond to treatments like hormone therapy or tamoxifen, and it doesn’t have over-expressions of certain biomarkers. That leaves doctors and patients with fewer treatment options than patients with other types of breast cancer, but fortunately, researchers are working hard to identify and develop more effective TNBC treatments.
Cause and Symptoms
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a type of breast cancer that does not respond to hormone therapy or drugs that target the HER2 protein. It is more aggressive than other types of breast cancer and is more likely to spread to other parts of the body. The cause of TNBC is unknown, but it is more common in women under the age of 50, African American women, and women with a BRCA1 gene mutation. Symptoms of TNBC include a lump in the breast, changes in the size or shape of the breast, nipple discharge, and pain in the breast. Diagnosis usually begins with a biopsy of the breast tissue. If it is determined that you have TNBC, treatment options may include chemotherapy and surgery to remove any remaining breast tissue if there is evidence of spread beyond the breast area. Other possible treatments are hormonal therapy (such as tamoxifen), radiation therapy, or targeted therapies such as Herceptin or Perjeta. Research on triple-negative breast cancer symptoms is ongoing.
What are some different treatment options for breast cancer?
Certain breast cancers will respond to hormonal therapy or drugs that target the HER2 protein; however, triple-negative breast cancers do not typically respond well to these methods of treatment. For this reason, people with this form of breast cancer often require additional forms of treatment including chemotherapy and surgery after the initial diagnosis has been made by their doctor through a biopsy of their cells. Other potential treatments for triple-negative breast cancer include hormonal therapy (such as tamoxifen), radiation therapy, or targeted therapies such as Herceptin or Perjeta.
How it's diagnosed
A breast cancer diagnosis starts with a screening, which can be a mammogram, ultrasound, or MRI. Your doctor may also do a physical exam and order blood tests. If you have suspicious breast cancer symptoms, your doctor will likely refer you to a breast specialist for a biopsy. A biopsy is the only way to definitively diagnose breast cancer.
During a biopsy, your doctor will remove cells from your breast so they can be examined under a microscope. There are several types of biopsies, but the most common is called a fine needle aspiration (FNA). For this procedure, your doctor uses a thin needle to remove cells from the suspicious area. The cells are then sent to a lab where they're checked for cancerous changes. Your doctor may also take pictures of your breasts before doing a biopsy. These pictures, called mammograms, help doctors look for lumps that need further testing.
If you have breast cancer symptoms and an abnormal finding on your mammogram, your doctor might recommend an ultrasound or MRI instead of an FNA to collect more information about the breast tissue in question.
The two imaging tests give images that doctors can use to detect whether the lump is benign or not by using three different techniques: ultrasound pulses cause some lumps to compress while others expand; MRI relies on magnetic fields and radio waves to create images, and CT scans rely on X-rays.
Treatment Options
While there is no one-size-fits-all treatment for triple-negative breast cancer, there are a few options available. Surgery is often the first step in treatment, followed by chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. Some women may also undergo biopsy or genetic testing to help determine the best course of treatment. Additionally, many women opt for breast reconstruction surgery after their treatment is complete. Patients with stage 4 breast cancer have a particularly high risk of developing lymphedema, so this surgery can reduce that risk significantly. Breast reconstruction surgery isn't just cosmetic either; it can actually improve self-esteem and quality of life.
Questions To Ask Your Doctor
1. What are the symptoms of triple-negative breast cancer?
2. What is the prognosis for triple-negative breast cancer?
3. What are the treatment options for triple-negative breast cancer?
4. What are the side effects of chemotherapy for triple-negative breast cancer?
5. How can I reduce my risk of developing triple-negative breast cancer?
6. What should I do if I find a lump in my breast?
7. How can I get involved in breast cancer awareness and research? 8. When you need help, what resources are available? 9. When is a time when someone should see their doctor about breast cancer symptoms? 10. What does it mean when doctors say triple negative diagnosis in relation to breast cancer treatments? 11. What does it mean when doctors say BRCA positive diagnosis in relation to breast cancer treatments? 12. Should men be concerned about triple-negative breast cancer or metastatic breast cancer symptoms? 13. Who typically gets this type of diagnosis for triple-negative or metastatic (treatable)breast cancers, women or men alike? 14.
Risk Factors
The most significant risk factor for triple-negative breast cancer is being a woman of African descent. Other risk factors include a personal history of breast cancer, biopsy breast, pregnancy breast, lump in the breast, her2 positive breast cancer chemotherapy for breast cancer, brca testing, and a family history of the disease. There are also lifestyle factors that can increase your risk, such as drinking alcohol, being overweight or obese, and not getting enough exercise. Fortunately, all of these risks can be reduced by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and receiving regular breast care screenings. Women who find lumps in their breasts should visit their doctor right away. If they're found to have breast cancer, they may need surgery (breast surgery) or chemotherapy (chemotherapy for breast cancer). Breast cancer in men can be more difficult to detect than breast cancer in women because men don't get mammograms and tend to notice symptoms later on. Breast growth, breast prosthesis, mammograms, etc. The most significant risk factor for triple-negative breast cancer is being a woman of African descent. Risk factors include a personal history of breast cancer, biopsy breast, pregnancy breast, lump in the breast, her2 positive breast cancer chemotherapy for breast cancer, brca testing, and a family history of the disease.
Also see: Chlamydia and Syphilis: Causes of Sexually Transmitted Diseases
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