Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a sub type of breast cancer that accounts for approximately 10-15% of all breast cancer cases. The term "triple negative" refers to the fact that the cancer cells lack three receptors that are commonly found in other types of breast cancer: estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2).
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| Triple Negative Breast Cancer |
TNBC is more common in younger women and those with a family history of breast cancer. It is also more likely to occur in women with mutations in the BRCA1 gene. TNBC tends to grow more quickly than other types of breast cancer and has a higher likelihood of recurrence within the first few years after treatment.
The exact cause of TNBC is not yet known, but researchers have identified several risk factors. These include age, genetics, obesity, exposure to radiation, and a history of benign breast conditions. Additionally, African-American women are more likely to develop TNBC than women of other ethnicities.
The diagnosis of TNBC is typically made through a combination of imaging tests, such as mammography and ultrasound, and a biopsy. Once TNBC is diagnosed, it is classified based on the size of the tumor, the extent of the cancer's spread, and the presence of any biomarkers.
Treatment options for TNBC vary depending on the stage of the cancer at diagnosis. For early-stage TNBC, surgery is typically the first line of treatment, followed by radiation therapy and chemotherapy. For more advanced TNBC, chemotherapy is usually the primary treatment, sometimes followed by surgery or radiation therapy. Hypnotherapy, which involves stimulating the body's immune system to fight cancer cells, is also being studied as a potential treatment for TNBC.
One of the challenges of treating TNBC is that it is resistant to many of the targeted therapies that are effective against other types of breast cancer. For example, hormone therapy, which blocks the effects of estrogen and/or progesterone on cancer cells, is not effective against TNBC because these cancers lack the receptors for these hormones. Similarly, HER2-targeted therapies, which target the HER2 protein, are also ineffective against TNBC because these cancers lack HER2 receptors.
Because of the lack of targeted therapies for TNBC, chemotherapy remains the mainstay of treatment. However, even with chemotherapy, TNBC can be difficult to treat. This is because TNBC cells tend to be more genetically unstable than other breast cancer cells, which can lead to the development of resistance to chemotherapy over time.
The prognosis for TNBC varies depending on the stage of the cancer at diagnosis. In general, TNBC has a higher risk of recurrence and a poorer prognosis than other types of breast cancer. However, with early detection and aggressive treatment, many women with TNBC can be successfully treated and go on to live long, healthy lives.
In recent years, researchers have made significant strides in understanding the biology of TNBC and developing new treatment strategies. For example, some studies have shown that certain chemotherapy drugs, such as platinum-based drugs, may be particularly effective against TNBC. Additionally, researchers are exploring the use of immunotherapy and targeted therapies that exploit vulnerabilities in TNBC cells.
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