Triple-negative breast cancers are a heterogeneous group and may not always be associated with lymph node spread, a new study shows. https://tnbcfoundation.org/understanding-triple-negative-breast-cancer/
The study of 145 triple negative breast cancers (i.e, cancer which is estrogen receptor-negative, progesterone receptor-negative and HER2-negative) in 128 women found that about 23% were moderate or low-grade lesions, said Cecilia Mercado, MD, of New York University School of Medicine, and an author of the study.
Triple negative breast cancer is found in about 15% of breast cancer patients and the patients are usually younger.
The study found that 11 of the 145 cancers had a low histologic grade. Only one of these patients had evidence that their cancer had spread into their lymph nodes. Twenty-three cancers were moderate grade lesions; only five of these 23 had spread into the lymph nodes. That compares to 37 of 111 cancers with a high histologic grade which had lymph node metastases, Dr. Mercado said.
“Our preliminary results show that triple negative breast cancers are a heterogeneous group. Although many are high grade lesions, some are moderate or low grade demonstrating a lower rate of lymph node metastasis,” Dr. Mercado said.
https://www.science.gov/topicpages/m/metastatic+triple-negative+breast.html
First thing to do, is to pray every day, do not let fear rule you allow your faith to guide you.. Do not give in, but put my focus on getting better. and it is working With our Lord, if you are a believer. There are many types of cancers and they grow at different rates. When a cancer is termed “aggressive” it means fast-growing.
“Triple Negative breast cancer can be extremely aggressive and more likely to recur and metastasize than other subtypes of breast cancer. It typically is responsive to chemotherapy, although it can be more difficult to treat because it is unresponsive to the most effective receptor targeted treatments.
“These subtypes of breast cancer are generally diagnosed based upon the presence, or lack of, three “receptors” known to fuel most breast cancers: estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). The most successful treatments for breast cancer target these receptors.
“Unfortunately, none of these receptors are found in women with triple negative breast cancer. In other words, a triple negative breast cancer diagnosis means that the offending tumor is estrogen receptor-negative, progesterone receptor-negative and HER2-negative, thus giving rise to the name “triple negative breast cancer.” On a positive note, this type of breast cancer is typically responsive to chemotherapy.”
OK. So that’s the general explanation of the cancer.
The stages of the cancer are as follows:
Here is the TNBC’s home page. There are links to other resources and forums, including ask-the-expert pages and bulletin boards where TNBC patients and their families and friends post to one another:
http://www.tnbcfoundation.org/index.html
and here’s a link to their welcome page to their forums:
http://forum.tnbcfoundation.org/
The TNBC site was started by a group of women who have dealt with this cancer
themselves or with their friends. In searching for information on this different kind of cancer, they decided there needed to be more available. You can see their care throughout the site.
Here’s a story on TNBC from breastcancer.org, which explains why the grade is often higher upon diagnosis than in other breast cancers. Please notice the links down the left side to areas on research and treatment:
http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/diagnosis/trip_neg/behavior.jsp
OK. Let’s talk about stages and grades of cancer.
Stages of cancer, according to
breastcancer.org:
Cancer stage is based on the size of the tumor, whether the cancer is invasive or non-invasive, whether lymph nodes are involved, and whether the cancer has spread beyond the breast. Stages are 0, I, IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB, IIIC and IV.
Grades of cancer are used to classify cancer cells in terms of how abnormal they look under a microscope and how quickly the tumor is likely to grow and spread. The Bloom-Richardson system is used for grading breast cancer, and has a scale of 1 – 3, with 1 being the slowest-growing and 3 being the fastest-growing.
Here’s an explanation of the grading system:
http://breastcancer.about.com/od/diagnosis/tp/tumor_grade.htm
OK, so what does all this mean?
Triple negative — a breast cancer where chemo is effective but treatments targeting three receptor cells are not.
Grade 3 — a faster-growing cancer.
Stage IIB — the tumor is larger than 2 but no larger than 5 centimeters and has spread to the axillary lymph nodes, OR the tumor is larger than 5 centimeters but has not spread to the axillary lymph nodes.
This may be daunting information, I know. Here’s a bit of good news from a story in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. I found the story fascinating — doctors didn’t always know that breast cancers differed in this way, and so your sister will get more targeted treatment than she might have in the past:
“A woman’s risk of getting cancer again within five years of her initial diagnosis (breast or another form) are higher with a triple negative cancer. But if she’s cancer free for seven to 10 years, and beyond, her risk for recurrence is less than with other breast cancers.”
Here’s that full story: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/understanding-a-breast-cancer-diagnosis/breast-cancer-hormone-receptor-status.html
“Five-year survival rates tend to be lower for triple-negative bc. A study done in 2007 of more than 50,000 women with all stages of breast cancer found that 77 percent of women with triple-negative bc survived at least 5 years, compared to 93 percent of women with other types of bc. The recurrence and survival figures are averages for all women with triple-negative bc. A variety of factors influence an individual woman’s prognosis.”
That story also addresses treatments, and one of the most frustrating parts of it for TNBC patients: there are no focused therapies for prevention of recurrence or metastasis beyond chemotherapy and radiation. It does discuss the possible role of vitamin D3.
And here’s a very informative piece in Science Daily:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080411150927.htm
Triple-negative breast cancer: Is a new treatment within reach?
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319445.php?sr
I so hope that some of this information is what you are seeking.
There is increasing interest in the use of non-toxic natural products for the treatment of various pathologies, including cancer. In particular, biologically active constituents of the ginger oleoresin ( Zingiber officinale Roscoe) have been shown to mediate anti-tumour activity and to contribute to the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiemetic properties of ginger. Here we report on the inhibitory properties of
-gingerol against metastatic triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) in vitro and in vivo . We show that [10]-gingerol concentration-dependently induces apoptotic death in mouse and human TNBC cell lines in vitro . In addition, [10]-gingerol is well tolerated in vivo , induces a marked increase in caspase-3 activation and inhibits orthotopic tumour growth in a syngeneic mouse model of spontaneous breast cancer metastasis. Importantly, using both spontaneous and experimental metastasis assays, we show for the first time that
-gingerol significantly inhibits metastasis to multiple organs including lung, bone and brain. Remarkably, inhibition of brain metastasis was observed even when treatment was initiated after surgical removal of the primary tumour.
Taken together, these results indicate that [10]-gingerol may be a safe and useful complementary therapy for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer and warrant further investigation of its efficacy, either alone or in combination with standard systemic therapies, in pre-clinical models of metastatic breast cancer and in patients.
-gingerol induces apoptosis and inhibits metastatic dissemination of triple negative breast cancer in vivo
Metastatic breast cancer is devastating and triple negative breast cancers (TNBC) have a higher propensity for metastasis. Improved local control upfront in this aggressive cancer could potentially decrease its propensity toward metastasis.
The study sought to determine if using caloric restriction (CR) as a systemic therapy, combined with radiation therapy (IR) to the primary tumor, may impact metastatic disease. Methods: An orthotopic mouse model using a highly metastatic, luciferase- tagged TNBC cell line (4T1), was used to generate palpable tumors.
Mice were then treated with CR, IR, and a combination of the two. In vivo imaging was performed for metastatic evaluation. Molecular evaluation of the tumors was performed, generating a mechanistic hypothesis for CR, which was then tested with pertinent pathway inhibition in the model.
Results: CR significantly increased the time to developing metastases, decreased the overall number and volume of lung metastases, and increased survival. CR decreased proliferation, increased apoptosis and globally downregulated the IGF-1R signaling pathway.
Adding an IGF-1R/INSR inhibitor to local IR in vivo accomplished a decrease in metastases similar to CR plus IR, demonstrating the importance of the IGF-1R signaling pathway, and underscoring it as a possible mechanism for CR. Conclusions: CR decreased metastatic burden and therefore may complement cytotoxic therapies being used in the clinical setting for metastatic disease. Downregulation of the IGF-1R pathway, is in part responsible for this response and modulating IGF-1R directly resulted in similar improved progression-free survival. The novel use of CR has the potential to enhance clinical outcomes for patients with metastatic breast cancer. PMID:27027731
Caloric restriction coupled with radiation decreases metastatic burden in triple negative breast cancer.
Brain metastases (BM) are a devastating consequence of breast cancer. BM occur more frequently in patients with estrogen receptor-negative (ER-) breast cancer subtypes; HER2 overexpressing (HER2+) tumors and triple-negative (TN) (ER-, progesterone receptor-negative (PR-) and normal HER2) tumors. Young age is an independent risk factor for the development of BM, thus we speculated that higher circulating estrogens in young, pre-menopausal women could exert paracrine effects through the highly estrogen-responsive brain microenvironment.
Using a TN experimental metastases model, we demonstrate that ovariectomy decreased the frequency of magnetic resonance imaging-detectable lesions by 56% as compared with estrogen supplementation, and that the combination of ovariectomy and letrozole further reduced the frequency of large lesions to 14.4% of the estrogen control.
Human BM expressed 4.2-48.4% ER+ stromal area, particularly ER+ astrocytes. In vitro, E2-treated astrocytes increased proliferation, migration and invasion of 231BR-EGFP cells in an ER-dependent manner. E2 upregulated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) ligands Egf, Ereg and Tgfa mRNA and protein levels in astrocytes, and activated EGFR in brain metastatic cells. Co-culture of 231BR-EGFP cells with E2-treated astrocytes led to the upregulation of the metastatic mediator S100 Calcium-binding protein A4 (S100A4) (1.78-fold, P<0.05).
Exogenous EGF increased S100A4 mRNA levels in 231BR-EGFP cells (1.40±0.02-fold, P<0.01 compared with vehicle control) and an EGFR/HER2 inhibitor blocked this effect, suggesting that S100A4 is a downstream effector of EGFR activation. Short hairpin RNA-mediated S100A4 silencing in 231BR-EGFP cells decreased their migration and invasion in response to E2-CM, abolished their increased proliferation in co-cultures with E2-treated astrocytes and decreased brain metastatic colonization. Thus, S100A4 is one effector of the paracrine action of E2 in brain metastatic cells.
Estrogen promotes the brain metastatic colonization of triple negative breast cancer cells via an astrocyte-mediated paracrine mechanism.
Curcumin May Be Non-Toxic TNBC Fighter
Curcumin, an ingredient in the Indian spice turmeric, can slow the growth of triple-negative breast cancer cells, according to a study on cell cultures published in the journal Breast Cancer: Basic and Clinical Research (September, 2009). In lab research, curcumin killed TNBC cancer cells within 72 hours, without interfering with healthy cells and reduced the ability of TNBC cells to migrate to other parts of the body.
Curcumin was effective against hormone-positive cancer as well, but not to the level of its strength against TNBC.
Clinical trials will be necessary to determine the effect of curmumin on the body.
The researchers write:
These results are novel, having never been previously reported, and suggest that curcumin could provide a novel, non-toxic therapy, which could lead to improved survival for patients with triple negative breast cancer. Curcumin should be studied further in this subset of breast cancer patients, for whom treatment options are severely limited.
The study was on cells in the lab, so the quantity that could help in the human body is unknown. You can get turmeric in capsules, which might be the most efficient way to take it. Here are some suggestions from the NIH:
Doses used range from 450 milligrams of curcumin capsules to 3 grams of turmeric root daily, divided into several doses, taken by mouth. As a tea, 1 to 1.5 grams of dried root may be steeped in 150 milliliters of water for 15 minutes and taken twice daily. Average dietary intake of turmeric in the Indian population may range between 2 to 2.5 grams, corresponding to 60 to 200 milligrams of curcumin daily. A dose of 0.6 milliliters of turmeric oil has been taken three times daily for one month and a dose of 1 milliliter in three divided doses has been taken for two months. https://www.puritan.com/terry-naturally-brand-0641/ppcuramed-750mg750mg60-ct-025639?scid=45188&cmp=bngshp-_-herbalsupplements-_-025639&msclkid=b05c36e1655411cf1e066ddd0b8e3706
Stress and Triple Negative Breast Cancer
https://www.targetedonc.com/publications/evolving-paradigms/2016/TNBC/evolving-paradigms-in-triplenegative-breast-cancer-introduction
http://www.touchoncology.com/articles/triple-negative-breast-cancer-pathologic-diagnosis-and-current-chemotherapy-treatment-0
https://www.thisislivingwithcancer.com/inspiration?cmp=0fb507d7-7d0e-4d0b-8082-ddd45ab54d5d
https://www.storyhalftold.com/meet-the-participants?source=bing&HBX_PK=s
http://www.uchospitals.edu/news/2013/20130618-fat-cells.html
https://academic.oup.com/ajcp/article/141/4/462/1760538
http://cancerfightingstrategies.com/breast-cancer.html
*******************************************************
This is my advice to women with TNBC and part of my success treating it.
Don’t get sucked into the fear of it. Fear causes cancer n makes it spread. Why? Fear lowers your immune system, depletes nutrients, raises cortisol, causes hormonal imbalances etc. Then if you put a lot of toxic chemicals into your body filled with fear it may not be very helpful. It is important to do your own research and surround yourself with people who beat all odds with any cancer type.
Hope is important and unfortunately there is a lot of fear in our medical systems.
Also look at your body type, sensitivities n your other health conditions. I have often shook my head at how doctors completely ignored this yet it is the basics of medicine. Chemotherapy may make other health conditions worst or cause havoc in a sensitive body making TNBC spread quickly.
Also explore nutrition, herbs etc. as many cultures have been using them to successfully treat C for centuries way before chemo. Unfortunately we have a system where greed has taken over n demonized many of this which is very sad. Be aware of the greed n do not let doctors push u into a treatment that may not work for u. Yes u have the time to pull back, research n listen to your inner guidance unless the tumour is affecting a major organ etc. Also another key to my success has been asking the universe for guidance. They are there and will…just ask. It is Never easy when your dealing with bc but ask them to send clearer messages n give u strength to get thru it. 🙂 Valerie Woo
Wings of Hope (German: Julianes Sturz in den Dschungel) is a 2000 documentary directed by Werner Herzog. The film explores the story of Juliane Koepcke, a German Peruvian woman the sole survivor of Peruvian flight LANSA Flight 508 following its mid-air disintegration after a lightning strike in 1971. Herzog was inspired to make this film as he narrowly avoided taking the same flight. While he was location scouting for “Aguirre, Wrath of God.” His reservation was canceled due to a last minute change!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=11&v=rlJVIcCPIl8