Risks of Second Non-Breast Primaries Following Breast Cancer

Core Concepts

Risk of developing second primary cancers after breast cancer diagnosis.

Abstract

AIRTUM Working Group

Period: 1976–2010
Study Design: Retrospective cohort
Country: Italy
Exclusions: Melanoma skin cancer cases, death certificate only cases, autopsy only cases, zero follow-up time cases

Andersson

Period: 1977–2001
Study Design: Retrospective cohort
Country: Denmark
Exclusions: Prior cancer history, non-melanoma skin cancer cases

Brenner

Period: 1968–1987
Study Design: Retrospective cohort
Country: Germany
Exclusions: Secondary malignancies, tumors in specific locations

Brown

Period: 1943–2002
Study Design: Retrospective cohort
Countries: Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden
Exclusions: Non-hematological malignancies

Chen

Period: 1997–2010
Study Design: Retrospective cohort
Country: Germany
Exclusions: Death certificate/autopsy cases, non-melanoma skin cancer cases

Diab

Period: 1973–2012
Study Design: Retrospective cohort
Country: USA
Exclusions: In situ malignancies, non-microscopically confirmed cases

Evans

Period: 1961–1995
Study Design: Retrospective cohort
Country: England
Exclusions: Non-melanoma skin cancers, non-malignant cancers

Gulhan

Period: 1992–2006
Study Design: Retrospective cohort
Country: Turkey
Inclusions: Histologically confirmed invasive BC cases

Harvey

Period: 1935–1982
Study Design: Retrospective cohort
Country: USA
Exclusions: Second cancers diagnosed within 2 months of BC diagnosis

Hung

Period: 1997–2010
Study Design: Retrospective cohort
Country: Taiwan
Inclusions: Histologically confirmed cancer cases

Jégu

Period: 1989–2004
Study Design: Retrospective cohort
Country: France
Exclusions: Second primary cancers within 2 months of first cancer

Jung

Period: 1989–2014
Study Design: Retrospective cohort
Country: Korea
Inclusions: Women aged at least 20 with BC

Lee

Period: 1979–2003
Study Design: Retrospective cohort
Country: Taiwan
Exclusions: Second cancers reported within 1 month of BC diagnosis

Levi

Period: 1974–1998
Study Design: Retrospective cohort
Country: Switzerland
Exclusions: Second cancers diagnosed within 1 month of first BC

Mellemkjaer

Period: 1972–1998
Study Design: Retrospective cohort
Countries: Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, UK
Inclusions: Women with first BC

Molina-Montes

Period: 1985–2007
Study Design: Retrospective cohort
Country: Spain
Inclusions: Women aged 15 or over at BC diagnosis

Murakami

Period: 1965–1982
Study Design: Retrospective cohort
Country: Japan
Exclusions: Second cancers within 3 months of BC diagnosis

Odani

Period: 2000–2014
Study Design: Retrospective cohort
Country: Japan
Exclusions: Death certificate only cases

Ricceri

Study Design: Prospective cohort
Country: Multiple European countries
Inclusions: Women aged 35–70

Rubino

Period: 1954–1984
Study Design: Retrospective cohort
Country: France
Exclusions: Second bilateral BCs, non-melanoma skin cancers

Schaapveld

Period: 1989–2003
Study Design: Retrospective cohort
Country: The Netherlands
Exclusions: Unknown primary adenocarcinomas, non-melanoma skin cancers

Schottenfeld

Period: 1949–1962
Study Design: Retrospective cohort
Country: USA
Inclusions: Patients with breast, endometrial, ovarian, vagina, vulva, or cervix uteri cancers

Silverman

Period: 1990–2006
Study Design: Retrospective cohort
Country: Israel
Exclusions: Breast lymphomas

Tabuchi

Period: 1985–2004
Study Design: Retrospective cohort
Country: Japan
Exclusions: Second cancers within 3 months of BC diagnosis

Trama

Period: Starting from 1976
Study Design: Retrospective cohort
Country: Italy
Inclusions: Individuals aged 15–39 at first cancer diagnosis

Tsukuma

Period: 1966–1986
Study Design: Retrospective cohort
Country: Japan
Exclusions: Second cancers within 3 months of BC diagnosis

Utada

Period: 1985–2007
Study Design: Retrospective cohort
Country: Japan
Exclusions: Discordant second cancers

Stats

Dx: 1976–2010 (AIRTUM Working Group)
Dx: 1977–2001 (Andersson)
Dx: 1968–1987 (Brenner)
Dx: 1943–2002 (Brown)
Dx: 1997–2010 (Chen)
Dx: 1973–2012 (Diab)
Dx: 1961–1995 (Evans)
Dx: 1992–2006 (Gulhan)
Dx: 1935–1982 (Harvey)
Dx: 1997–2010 (Hung)
Dx: 1989–2004 (Jégu)
Dx: 1989–2014 (Jung)
Dx: 1979–2003 (Lee)
Dx: 1974–1998 (Levi)
Dx: 1972–1998 (Mellemkjaer)
Dx: 1985–2007 (Molina-Montes)
Dx: 1965–1982 (Murakami)
Dx: 2000–2014 (Odani)
Dx: 1954–1984 (Rubino)
Dx: 1989–2003 (Schaapveld)
Dx: 1949–1962 (Schottenfeld)
Dx: 1990–2006 (Silverman)
Dx: 1985–2004 (Tabuchi)
Dx: Starting from 1976 (Trama)
Dx: 1966–1986 (Tsukuma)
Dx: 1985–2007 (Utada)

Quotes

Key Insights Distilled From

Risks of Second Non-Breast Primaries Following Breast Cancer

by Isaac Allen at www.medscape.com 05-05-2023

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/989768

Deeper Inquiries

How do different countries' cancer registries impact the findings of the study?

The different countries' cancer registries impact the findings of the study in several ways. Firstly, the inclusion criteria and data collection methods can vary between registries, leading to differences in the cohorts studied. For example, some registries may exclude certain types of cancers or only include histologically confirmed cases, affecting the generalizability of the results. Additionally, the follow-up periods and censoring events may differ, influencing the duration and completeness of the data analyzed. Moreover, the coding rules used by each registry to define second primary cancers can vary, potentially affecting the identification and classification of these cancers in the study population. These variations highlight the importance of considering the specific characteristics of each registry when interpreting and comparing the study findings.

What are the implications of excluding specific types of cancers from the analysis?

Excluding specific types of cancers from the analysis can have significant implications for the study results and their interpretation. For instance, excluding non-haematological malignancies or certain secondary malignancies may impact the overall incidence rates of second primary cancers observed in the study population. This exclusion can lead to an underestimation of the true burden of second primary cancers following breast cancer and may limit the generalizability of the findings. Furthermore, excluding certain types of cancers can affect the understanding of the patterns and risk factors associated with developing second primary cancers, potentially overlooking important associations that could inform clinical practice and survivorship care. Therefore, careful consideration of the rationale behind excluding specific types of cancers is essential to ensure the validity and relevance of the study results.

How can the study's results influence future treatment strategies for breast cancer survivors?

The study's results can have significant implications for future treatment strategies for breast cancer survivors. By identifying the risk of developing second primary cancers following breast cancer diagnosis, healthcare providers can implement targeted surveillance and screening programs to detect these cancers at an early stage. Understanding the specific types and sites of second primary cancers can also inform personalized treatment plans for breast cancer survivors, taking into account their individual risk profiles. Additionally, the study results may underscore the importance of lifestyle modifications, genetic counseling, and other interventions to reduce the risk of developing second primary cancers in this population. Overall, the findings of the study can guide healthcare professionals in providing comprehensive and tailored care for breast cancer survivors, with the aim of improving long-term outcomes and quality of life.