This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Anderson, W. F. Articles by Sherman, M. E. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Anderson, W. F. Articles by Sherman, M. E.

Comparison of Age-Specific Incidence Rate Patterns for Different Histopathologic Types of Breast Carcinoma

¹ Division of Cancer Prevention, ² Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities, and ³ Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, Department of Health and Human Services, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland

Requests for reprints: William F. Anderson, Division of Cancer Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services, National Cancer Institute, NIH, EPN, Suite 2141, 6130 Executive Boulevard, Bethesda, MD 20892. Phone: (301) 594-7672; Fax: (301) 435-6344. E-mail: wanderso{at}mail.nih.gov

Objective: The age-specific incidence rate curve for breast carcinoma overall increases rapidly until age 50 years, and then continues to increase at a slower rate for older women. In this analysis, our objective was to compare age-specific incidence rate patterns for different morphologic types of breast carcinoma. Materials and methods: We analyzed age-specific incidence rate curves by histopathologic subclassification using records from 11 standard National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registries, diagnosed during the years 1992 to 1999. Data were examined by age <50 and 50 years to simulate menopause. Results: Age-specific incidence rate curves showed three dominant patterns: (1) Rates for infiltrating duct carcinoma of no special type (duct NST), tubular, and lobular carcinomas increased rapidly until age 50 years then rose more slowly. (2) Rates for medullary and inflammatory breast carcinomas increased rapidly until age 50 years then failed to increase. (3) Rates for papillary and mucinous carcinomas increased steadily at all ages. Rate patterns varied by estrogen receptor expression but were unaffected by SEER registry, race, nodal status, or grade. Conclusion: Age-specific incidence rates for breast carcinomas differed by histopathologic type. Rates that failed to increase after 50 years suggested that menopause had greater impact on medullary and inflammatory carcinomas than on duct NST, tubular, and lobular carcinomas. Menopause did not seem to have any effect on papillary or mucinous carcinomas as evidenced by steadily rising rates at all ages. Future etiologic and/or prevention studies should consider the impact of age-specific risk factors and/or exposures on different histopathologic types of breast carcinomas.

Key Words: age-specific breast carcinoma incidence rates • estrogen receptor expression • histopathologic subclassification

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. Fournier, A. Fabre, S. Mesrine, M.-C. Boutron-Ruault, F. Berrino, and F. Clavel-Chapelon Use of Different Postmenopausal Hormone Therapies and Risk of Histology- and Hormone Receptor-Defined Invasive Breast Cancer J. Clin. Oncol., March 10, 2008; 26(8): 1260 - 1268. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				W. F. Anderson, R. M. Pfeiffer, G. M. Dores, and M. E. Sherman Comparison of age distribution patterns for different histopathologic types of breast carcinoma. Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., October 1, 2006; 15(10): 1899 - 1905. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				W. F. Anderson and R. Matsuno Breast cancer heterogeneity: a mixture of at least two main types? J Natl Cancer Inst, July 19, 2006; 98(14): 948 - 951. [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. Kamangar, G. M. Dores, and W. F. Anderson Patterns of Cancer Incidence, Mortality, and Prevalence Across Five Continents: Defining Priorities to Reduce Cancer Disparities in Different Geographic Regions of the World J. Clin. Oncol., May 10, 2006; 24(14): 2137 - 2150. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. W. Hance, W. F. Anderson, S. S. Devesa, H. A. Young, and P. H. Levine Trends in Inflammatory Breast Carcinoma Incidence and Survival: The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program at the National Cancer Institute J Natl Cancer Inst, July 6, 2005; 97(13): 966 - 975. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				W. McCaskill-Stevens, J. Wilson, J. Bryant, E. Mamounas, L. Garvey, J. James, W. Cronin, and D. L. Wickerham Contralateral Breast Cancer and Thromboembolic Events in African American Women Treated With Tamoxifen J Natl Cancer Inst, December 1, 2004; 96(23): 1762 - 1769. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]