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Treatment choices and response rates in African‐American women with breast carcinoma
Author(s) -
Newman Lisa A.,
Theriault Richard,
Clendinnin Neil,
Jones Dennie,
Pierce Lori
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/cncr.11015
Subject(s) - medicine , breast cancer , african american , mastectomy , breast carcinoma , systemic therapy , oncology , white (mutation) , chemotherapy , carcinoma , disease , cancer , gynecology , biochemistry , ethnology , chemistry , gene , history
BACKGROUND Breast cancer mortality rates are higher among African‐American women compared with white American women, yet little is known regarding ethnicity‐related variation in patterns of primary surgical treatment, locoregional recurrence rates, and response to induction chemotherapy. METHODS The available literature was reviewed to evaluate outcome from breast‐conservation therapy in African‐American women and response rates to systemic therapy. RESULTS Breast‐conservation therapy appears to be underused among African‐American women, a pattern that is noted also among white women with breast carcinoma. Higher rates of locoregional recurrence are seen among African‐American women regardless of whether they receive breast‐conserving treatment or undergo mastectomy, and this appears to be a function of primary tumor biology. Response rates to appropriately delivered systemic therapy are similar for African‐American patients and white patients. CONCLUSIONS Despite the apparent increased aggressiveness of disease seen in African‐American women with breast carcinoma, patterns of response to local and systemic therapy are similar to the patterns seen in white women with breast carcinoma. Cancer 2003;97(1 Suppl):246–52. © 2003 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.11015