Apocrine breast cancer in the material from Cancer Centre in Krakow. Clinical features and treatment results in patients treated between 1952

Abstract

Apocrine breast cancer is a rare type of neoplasm and accounts for approximately 0.3-4% of all breast cancers. It most frequently diagnosed in women over the age of 50. Objectives: The purpose of the study was to present the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of 53 patients treated from apocrine breast cancer at the Oncology Center in Kraków between 1955 and 2002. Material and Methods: Stage I or II carcinomas were found in 37 patients (69.8%) of the study group and 16 patients (30.2%) were classified as stage III. Node metastases were observed in 27 patients (50.9%). Surgery constituted the primary method of treatment and was used in all patients. Forty-nine patients underwent mastectomy and 4 underwent breast conserving surgery. Post-operative radiotherapy was given to 16 patients. Chemotherapy and hormonal therapy were also used - in 20 and 26 cases, respectively. Results: The follow-up period in the study group was maximum 207 months. The 10-year survival rates were as follows: 75.9% (overall survival) and 58.1% (disease-free survival). It was shown that positive lymph nodes highly affected symptoms-free free survival. During follow-up, 7 patients developed local recurrence, 16 patients developed distant metastases. Second primary malignancies were found in 5 patients. Conclusions: Our findings confirm good prognosis in patients treated for apocrine breast cancer, similar to invasive ductal carcinoma.