Aggressiveness of |[lsquo]|true|[rsquo]| interval invasive ductal carcinomas of the breast in postmenopausal women

摘要

There is debate whether interval carcinomas differ from screen-detected tumours biologically. In this study, clinico-pathological parameters and the expression of well-validated biological markers were compared between ‘true’ interval carcinomas and screen-detected/missed carcinomas hypothesising that ‘true’ interval carcinomas show a more aggressive biological behaviour. The study group consisted of 92 consecutive postmenopausal women attending the breast screening programme and presenting with an invasive ductal carcinoma. All screening mammograms were re-reviewed. Sixteen patients had a ‘true’ interval carcinoma. Seven carcinomas were missed at screening, but detected on re-reviewing of the screening mammogram. Radiological characteristics were assessed from diagnostic mammograms. Data on patient- and tumour characteristics and follow-up data were recorded from hospital records. Median follow-up was 61 months. Immunohistochemistry for ER, PR, Her2eu and p53 was performed on TMA sections. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. In univariate analysis, ‘true’ interval carcinomas were significantly larger (odd ratios (OR) 7.2, 95% CI 1.8–28.1) and less frequently ER (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1–0.9) and PR (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1–1.0) positive. In multivariate analysis, ‘true’ interval carcinoma was independently associated with larger tumours (OR 7.0, 95% CI 1.4–36.2). A trend toward ER negativity was found (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1–1.1). ‘True’ interval carcinomas showed a trend toward a decreased relapse-free survival (HR 1.7 95% CI 0.9–3.1). Although ‘true’ interval carcinomas were significantly larger than screen-detected/missed interval carcinomas, it remains challenging to observe parameters that determine this difference between ‘true’ interval carcinomas and screen-detected lesions.