BACKGROUND: Triple negative breast cancers (TNBCs) are a diverse and 
heterogeneous group of tumors that by definition lack estrogen and progesterone 
receptors and amplification of the HER-2 gene. The majority of the tumors 
classified as TNBCs are highly malignant, patients are usually young and only a 
subgroup of patients responds to conventional chemotherapy with a favorable 
prognosis. Various studies have been reported in western literature on TNBCs, 
all highlighting the poor prognosis of this subtype. However, extensive data 
from India is lacking.
AIM: The aim of this study was to analyze the epidemiological and clinical 
profile of TNBCs at our institute.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was the retrospective study carried out in Tertiary 
Cancer Care Center in South India. Case files of all breast cancer patients were 
reviewed from the hospital database registered in 1 year and TNBC patients were 
selected for the study. Patient's characteristic, treatment, and histological 
features were analyzed.
RESULTS: A total of 322 patients were registered during the period of 1 year and 
26% (84/322) of total patients were TNBC. Median age of presentation was 44.5 
years. About 94% (79/84) of patients had first full-term delivery before the age 
of 30 years. The most common presenting symptom was left sided breast lump. 
Locally advanced and early breast cancer (EBC) was 51% (43/84) and 42% (36/84), 
respectively. Metastatic breast cancer was seen in five patients. The highest 
numbers of patients were node negative disease (36.9%) [31/84], followed by N1 
30.95% (26/84). Most of the patients had high-grade tumor. 94% (34/36) of cases 
of EBC had undergone upfront modified radical mastectomy. Invasive ductal 
carcinoma was the predominant histology except one who had medullary carcinoma. 
Twenty-four patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). There was no 
pathological complete remission, but all patients responded to NACT. Metastatic 
disease was seen in five patients. All patients had bone metastasis.
CONCLUSIONS: TNBCs are highly aggressive subtype, with high grade with limited 
treatment options and very poor prognosis. Incidence is more in our country than 
the western literature. Even in our country also the incidence is varies in 
different region. TNBCs are significantly associated with young aged patients. 
There was a lack of association between tumor size and lymph node positivity.