Prevalence of breast and ovarian cancer subtypes in Hispanic populations from Puerto Rico

Abstract

BackgroundPrevious epidemiological studies aimed at describing characteristics of breast (BC) and ovarian cancer (OC) patients tend to examine Hispanic populations using a mix of individuals that come from ethnically different Hispanic backgrounds. Since most USA cancer statistics do not include cancer data from Puerto Rico (PR), there is a lack of historical and descriptive data analysis for Hispanic women in the island that suffer from these diseases. Therefore, the aim of our study is to provide a comprehensive clinicopathological characterization of BC and OC cases in PR.MethodsOur study consisted of a longitudinal retrospective review of archived pathology reports at Southern Pathology Services (SPS), which mostly serves southwestern PR, from years 2000–2015. After filtering SPS records with pre-established criteria, tumor samples from 3451 BC and 170 OC cases were used for descriptive statistics and analysis using R program.ResultsIn our cohort, the mean age of diagnosis for BC was 60.5 years and 60.3 years for OC. Available data for subtype characterization from BC cases, exhibited an expected subtype distribution that remained stable over time (Luminal A = 68.8%, Luminal B = 9.7%, HER-2 = 6.1% and Triple negative = 15.4%). Additionally, tumor grades distribution varied within different BC subtypes in which the majority of Luminal A tumors were G2 and most Triple negative tumors were G3. For OC cases, available subtype and tumor grade information identified serous histology in 64.71% of all cases and G3 as being the most prevalent tumor grade. Pathology reports revealed that 39.42% of all OC cases were described as late stage, while 50.5% as early stage (by pathological staging).ConclusionOur data suggests that OC and BC subtypes distribution in Hispanic populations from PR are in-line with national averages. In a significant number of BC cases, subtype could not be determined due to study limitations, health insurance coverage, or other reasons described here and may constitute a health disparity. Altogether, and despite these gaps, this study represents one of the most complete reviews of BC and OC in PR and provides an opportunity to further study this population separate from other US Hispanic populations.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-018-5077-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Characterization of Inflammatory Breast Cancer in Hispanic Women from Puerto Rico

“…Therefore, when we compare our results with those of women in the mainland US, the women in PR were diagnosed with IBC at a slightly older age during this reported period. Although the women diagnosed in PR were older than in the mainland US, women in PR diagnosed with IBC were younger than those diagnosed with non-IBC BC, whose mean age at diagnosis is 60.5 years (15). Notably, previous population-based studies conducted in the US have found a younger age at onset of IBC among Hispanic women compared to Caucasian women (16)(17)(18).…”

Applying an Exposome-wide Association Study (ExWAS) Approach to Latino Cancer Disparities

“…However, in a cohort of breast cancer patients from Puerto Rico, the prominent subtypes were found to be Luminal A (69%), followed by triple negative (15%), Luminal B (10%), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive (HER2+; 6%). The clinicopathological characterization of breast cancer in this cohort was incomplete because of study limitations (late-stage diagnosis, missing mammography records) and lack of insurance coverage, which presents a health disparity [13].…”

“…The responses are measured at the level of tissue, organ, and whole organism etiology. The widely measured biomarkers of cancer are F2 isoprostanes (risks for prostate cancer [33], C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL) 6 (risks for lung cancer [34]), expression of p53, estrogen receptor α and β, progesterone receptor, cytokeratin 5 and 6, cell proliferation marker Ki-67, cancer antigen 125 marker (risks for breast and ovarian cancers [13]), and micro RNAs (risks for CRC [35]).…”