Hormone Receptors in Breast Cancer Prognosis - Racial and Quantitative Effects
Abstract
Breast cancer survivors compose the largest group of cancer survivors in the United States. As heterogeneity exists within stages and between races in breast cancer survival, it is important to develop a better understanding of prognostic factors. Tumor estrogen and progesterone receptors are one of the more important prognostic factors in breast cancer patients. However, currently in clinical practice hormone receptor status is treated as either being present or absent and is treated similarly in all groups. The dichotomization of hormone status may lead to loss of valuable information and hormone receptor status may not have the same effect in African Americans and Whites. This historical cohort study evaluates quantitative differences in tumor hormone receptors in African Americans and Whites and determines whether survival effects differ between the two groups. This study also assesses whether a dose-response relationship, linear or nonlinear, exists between hormone receptors and survival. Findings of this study may lead to better prediction of survival and to identification of subsets of patients at higher risk that may have gone unrecognized by the application of a single cutpoint. Our preliminary findings indicate that African American breast cancer patients have more estrogen receptor negativity and a worse survival.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA425960
Entities
People
- Carl M. Tammemagi
Organizations
- Henry Ford Health