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The association of metabolic syndrome with triple-negative breast cancer

  • Epidemiology
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Abstract

Metabolic syndrome, a conglomerate of obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and hypertension has been linked with an increased risk of breast cancer. We investigated the possible association of highly aggressive triple-negative breast cancer and the metabolic syndrome. Information on metabolic syndrome components and tumor characteristics were reviewed in a cohort of 176 patients (including 86 triple-negatives). Retrospective comparison was performed using Pearson Chi-square test or Student’s t test for data analysis. A statistically significant association of triple-negative breast cancer with the metabolic syndrome was observed. In accordance with the NCEP (National Cholesterol Education Program) definition, 58.1% of triple-negative patients had metabolic syndrome compared to only 36.7% of non-triple-negative patients (P = 0.004). Consistently, by the AACE (American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists) criteria, 52.3% of triple-negative patients had metabolic syndrome as compared to 34.4% of non-triple-negative patients (P = 0.017). Blood glucose, triglyceride, and HDL levels but not hypertension or BMI (body mass index) showed significant independent association with triple-negative breast cancer. Additionally, triple-negative tumors displayed a significantly higher histological grade and relative paucity of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) when compared to the non-triple-negative tumors (P < 0.001). Our study suggests that metabolic syndrome is significantly more prevalent in triple-negative breast cancer patients as opposed to non-triple-negative patients. Furthermore, triple-negative breast cancer showed a significantly higher histological grade and a relative absence of DCIS. Whether the presence of metabolic syndrome preferentially increases the risk of developing triple-negative-breast cancer remains to be elucidated with future prospective studies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Fairview Hospital, a Cleveland Clinic Hospital, Cleveland, OH, USA

    B. Maiti & M. N. Kundranda

  2. Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center at Fairview Hospital, Cleveland, OH, USA

    T. P. Spiro & H. A. Daw

Authors
  1. B. Maiti
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  2. M. N. Kundranda
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  3. T. P. Spiro
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  4. H. A. Daw
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Correspondence to B. Maiti.

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Maiti, B., Kundranda, M.N., Spiro, T.P. et al. The association of metabolic syndrome with triple-negative breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat 121, 479–483 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-009-0591-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-009-0591-y

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