Late relapse in triple negative breast cancer

e12022 Background: Approximately 10%-15 % breast cancer (BC) are classified as triple negative. Although triple negative status carries grave prognosis, recent data suggests that it is mostly due to high relapse rate in first 2–3 years following initial diagnosis. Late relapses are less explored. The aim of this paper is to determine the percentage of triple negative BC among patients with late relapses, and to record relapse site in this subgroup of pts. Late relapse is determined as contra-lateral BC, loco-regional relapse, or any distant metastases at least 5 years after initial diagnosis of BC. Methods: Among 2,234 patients with various stages of BC registered during one year at the Institute for Oncology and Radiology of Serbia (March 2005-March 2006), 256 (11, 4%) had late relapse. Median time to relapse was 7 years (range 5–34 yrs). Median follow-up was 9 years. Results: IHC HER-2 status was retrospectively determined on 189 paraffin embedded primary BC specimen. HER-2 3 + is recorded in 17 specimen (8.9%); HER-2 2+/1+ in 86 (45.5%); and HER-2 0+ in 86 (45.5%) Among patients with HER-2 0+ only 10 also had ER score 0 and PGR score 0 (5.3%). Time to late relapse in this subgroup was 7.24 years (range 5–17 yrs). Relapses were resectable in 6 pts with local recurrence (4/10 pts) and contra-lateral BC (2/10). Three pts had bone metastases (3/10) and only 1 pt had pleural relapse (1/10). Median time to resectable relapse was 8.75 yrs (5–17). Median time to non-resectable relapse was 5.75 yrs (5–8 ). Conclusions: According to our results it seems that late relapse of triple negative BC is rare representing only 5.3% of late relapses. None of these pts had liver, lung, or brain metastases. Most relapses (6/10) could be resected, and therefore could potentially be cured. No significant financial relationships to disclose.