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triple-negative breast cancer

(TRIH-pul-NEH-guh-tiv brest KAN-ser)
A type of breast cancer in which the tumor cells do not have estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, or large amounts of HER2/neu protein on their surface. Knowing whether breast cancer is triple negative is important in planning treatment. Also called ER-negative PR-negative HER2/neu-negative breast cancer and TNBC.
Drawing showing a triple-negative breast cancer cell with the estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and HER2 proteins crossed out with a black "X" mark. This means that the breast cancer cell does not have these proteins.Enlarge this image in new window
Triple-negative breast cancer is a type of breast cancer in which the cancer cells do not have estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, or large amounts of HER2/neu protein on their surface.
Search NCI's Dictionary of Cancer Terms