Introduction:

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women in developed countries. Triple negative tumors are those not expressing estrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/neu). The present study was aimed at describing the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients being treated for breast cancer and showing a triple negative histology.

Materials and methods:

We performed a descriptive cross-sectional study. Patients with a diagnosis of triple negative breast cancer were selected.

Results:

The prevalence of triple receptor negative breast cancer was 9%. Mean age was 55 ± 14 years. A family history of cancer (other than breast) was found in 34% of patients, with 56% having a gastrointestinal origin. Twenty-three percent of patients were exposed to hormonal therapy. The prevailing body mass index range was 25-29, in 37.2% of patients. Infi ltrating ductal carcinoma and adenocarcinoma were the most common histologic types amounting to 85% of cases.

Conclusion:

The prevalence is lower than rates previously reported in other series. When a sister or a maternal aunt is affected, association with breast cancer appears stronger than when the mother and a cousin are affected. Ductal carcinoma and adenocarcinoma remain the most common histologic types.