Triple Negative Breast Cancer versus Non-Triple Negative Breast Cancer Treated with Breast Conservation Surgery Followed by Radiotherapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of breast conservation surgery (BCS) followed by radiotherapy (RT) in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) versus non-TNBC. Methods: We searched the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases from inception through March 31, 2014, using search terms related to TNBC, BCS, and RT. Studies comparing the efficacy of BCS followed by RT in TNBC versus non-TNBC were reviewed. Results: 5 studies including 2,922 non-TNBC and 510 TNBC cases were selected. The overall quality of included studies was deemed moderate to high. Compared with non-TNBC, the pooled relative risk of 5-year local relapse-free survival was 1.315 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.967-1.789; p = 0.008) for TNBC, and that of 5-year overall survival, regional relapse-free survival, and distant metastasis-free survival was 1.929 (95% CI 1.392-2.674; p = 0.000), 3.052 (95% CI 1.629-5.715; p = 0.000), and 2.407 (95% CI 1.910-3.034; p = 0.000), respectively. Conclusion: The local control rate of TNBC treated with BCS plus RT is similar to that of non-TNBC. (C) 2015 S. Karger GmbH, Freiburg