A triple negative breast cancer: what it is not!

triple negative breast cancer: what it is not! Case report (3397) Total Article Views Authors: Katakkar SB Published Date February 2012 Volume 2012:4 Pages 21 - 23 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/BCTT.S28449 Received: 21 November 2011 Accepted: 06 January 2012 Published: 24 February 2012 Suresh B Katakkar Regional Medical Oncology Hematology Leader, Centre for the North, BC Cancer Agency, Prince George, British Columbia, Canada Abstract: The triple negative cancer is an unusual, and at the same time, a unique entity where the discordance rate is almost 18%. That means 18% of Her2 negative results will transform into a Her2 positive status and will have the affinity to spread to the central nervous system (CNS). With the identification of CD44, CD24, and ALDH1, we may be able to determine which group of triple negative breast cancer patients will have CNS metastasis. This case illustrates the Her2 expressing cells have higher CNS affinity. As the original tumor was Her2 negative, if a genomic assay was then done on this patient, we would have identified the potential of CNS involvement. In conclusion, genomic assays should be routinely done on triple negative cancers.