Is breast cancer in young Asian women more aggressive than in Caucasians? A cross-sectional analysis

Tumour Biol. 2013 Aug;34(4):2379-82. doi: 10.1007/s13277-013-0786-z. Epub 2013 Apr 13.

Abstract

Ethnic differences in breast cancer are well described in studies comparing Hispanic and African-American populations to Caucasian populations. The aim of this study was to analyze the biological characteristics of breast cancer (BC) in the young Asian/Han Chinese population compared to Caucasians/Central Europeans. Histopathologies of 642 invasive BC in women at the age of 40 years and younger were analyzed in China and Austria. Pearson's chi-squared test was used to assess differences in the analyzed populations. Significantly larger BC >2 cm (p < 0.0001) and poorly differentiated BC (p = 0.02) as well as more triple-negative BC (p = 0.002) were identified among the Han Chinese group compared to the Central European group. This analysis will provide ethnic-specific insight into the biological characteristics of BC in young patients worldwide.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Asian People*
  • Breast Neoplasms / ethnology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Breast Neoplasms / surgery
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Receptors, Estrogen / metabolism
  • Treatment Outcome
  • White People*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Receptors, Estrogen