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Clinical subtypes and prognosis in breast cancer according to parity: a nationwide study in Korean Breast Cancer Society

  • Epidemiology
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Abstract

Purpose

We explored the association between parity and the risk of developing a specific subtype of breast cancer. We also assessed the association between parity and prognosis according to subtypes.

Methods

A total of 158,189 patients were enrolled in the Korean Breast Cancer Society Registry database between 1996 and 2015 in Korea. The database provided information on sex, age, number of parity, surgical method, stage, histological findings, presence of biologic markers, adjuvant therapy, and date and cause of death.

Results

The patients with higher parity showed a higher ratio of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) subtypes. In univariate analysis, women with TNBC who had more than three children had a worse prognosis compared to other groups (HR 1.83; 95% CI 1.34–2.49; P < 0.001). This association was also observed in women younger than 50 years (HR 1.63; 95% CI 1.07–2.48; P = 0.021). In multivariate analysis stratified by subtypes, women who had more than three children were associated with a worse prognosis in TNBC in the total population (HR 1.53; 95% CI 1.11–2.12; P = 0.011). This association was also observed in patients younger than 50 years of age (HR 1.53; 95% CI 1.09–2.61; P = 0.017).

Conclusion

Women who had more than three children were more likely to develop hormone receptor-negative (HR−) subtypes. Women who had more than three children were associated with worse prognosis in patients younger than 50 years of age and in patients with TNBC.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the research grant of the Korean Breast Cancer Society and the Chungbuk National University Hospital in 2018.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Breast Surgery, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Cheongju-si, Republic of Korea

    Sungmin Park

  2. Department of Breast Surgery, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Byung In Moon

  3. Department of Surgery, Incheon St. Mary’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Incheon-si, Republic of Korea

    Se Jeong Oh

  4. Department of Breast Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Han-Byoel Lee

  5. Department of Surgery, Korea Cancer Center Hospital, Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Min-Ki Seong

  6. Department of Surgery, Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Republic of Korea

    Seokwon Lee

  7. Department of Surgery, Dong-A University Hospital, Dong-A University College of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea

    Kyung Do Byun

  8. Division of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Department of Surgery, Korea University Anam Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, 73 Inchon-ro, Seongbuk-gu, 02841, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Seung Pil Jung & Soo Youn Bae

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  1. Sungmin Park
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Park, S., Moon, B.I., Oh, S.J. et al. Clinical subtypes and prognosis in breast cancer according to parity: a nationwide study in Korean Breast Cancer Society. Breast Cancer Res Treat 173, 679–691 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-018-5032-3

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