Second breast cancers in a Tuscan case series: characteristics, prognosis, and predictors of survival
2008

Second Breast Cancers in Tuscany: Characteristics and Survival

Sample size: 1044 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): S. Ciatto, N. Houssami, F. Martinelli, R. Bonardi, F. H. Cafferty, S. W. Duffy

Primary Institution: Centro per lo Studio e la Prevenzione Oncologica (CSPO), Istituto Scientifico della Regione Toscana, Florence, Italy

Hypothesis

What are the characteristics and prognosis of second breast cancers in women diagnosed in Tuscany?

Conclusion

The prognosis following a second breast cancer diagnosis in this cohort was generally good, with a 10-year survival rate of 78%.

Supporting Evidence

  • Second cancers were more likely to be detected asymptomatically (67.0%).
  • Estimated 10-year survival from a second cancer diagnosis was 78%.
  • Survival was poorest when the second cancer was large or node-positive.

Takeaway

This study looked at women who had two breast cancers and found that most survived well, especially if the second cancer was small.

Methodology

Women with two breast cancer diagnoses were identified from histology records, and survival status was assessed using Cox regression analyses.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to exclusion of women with metastatic cancer at the second diagnosis.

Limitations

Data on treatment were not available, and the study does not allow calculation of predictors of the occurrence of a second cancer event.

Participant Demographics

Women with a median age of 60 years at the second cancer diagnosis.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.001

Confidence Interval

95% CI

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1038/sj.bjc.6604481

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