Pattern of Metastasis with Breast Cancer in Egyptian Cancer Patients: A Single-Center Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background: An increasing body of research indicates that the molecular subtype of breast cancer can forecast the onset, course, and prognosis of metastatic. Between January 2013 and December 2014, with a follow-up period until July 2023, we examined the pattern of metastatic distribution and the survival of breast cancer patients with skeletal, visceral, and non-visceral metastases according to different tumor subtypes. Patients & Method: The aim of this retrospective study was to examine the distribution pattern of metastases, progression free survival, and overall survival of cancer patients with skeletal, visceral, and non-visceral metastases. Patients diagnosed with breast cancer who visited the Clinical Oncology Department at Suez Canal University Hospitals in Egypt between January 2013 and December 2014, with follow-up until July 2023, comprised the study population. Results: For every patient (n = 242), the metastatic pattern varies between therapy groups. Visceral and bone metastases were the most common sites of metastasis in Luminal A group, with 17.2% developing metastasis with a mean ± SD of 6.96 ± 2.97 years. 36% of group 2 experienced metastases, with a mean ± standard deviation of 5.25 ± 1.55 years. Within Luminal B tumor subgroup, bone-only metastasis was the most frequent pattern of metastasis. In HER2 enriched, lung metastasis affected many patients, while bone and visceral metastases were the most frequent metastatic patterns. In triple negative subtype, most patients had a visceral exclusively metastatic pattern, with lung metastasis being the most prevalent location. There was a statistically significant difference (p<0.001) in the 5-year PFS between the groups under investigation. There was a statistically significant difference (p<0.001) in overall survival between the groups under investigation. Conclusion: Based on tumor receptor subtypes, breast cancer may exhibit a systematic and predictable pattern of tumor dissemination. Visceral and bone metastases were the most common sites of metastasis in Luminal A group. Within Luminal B tumor subgroup, bone-only metastasis was the most frequent pattern of metastasis. In HER2 enriched, bone and visceral metastases were the most frequent metastatic patterns. In triple negative subtype, most patients had a visceral exclusively metastatic pattern.