Japanese Journal of Clinical Oncology, Vol 29, Issue 2 63-67, Copyright © 1999 by Foundation for Promotion of Cancer Research
Y Utada, F Kasumi, M Yoshimoto, T Tada, M Saitoh, K Takahashi, F Akiyama, G Sakamoto and M Nishi
BACKGROUND: The aim was to determine whether the number of positive lymph
nodes or the location of lymph node metastasis (location number) would
permit a more accurate prediction of prognoses. METHODS: We compared the
survival rates of 3922 patients with primary breast cancer in relation to
the location number and the number of positive lymph nodes. Survival rates
were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method and analyzed using the log rank
test. RESULTS: Within the n1 alpha group, the presence of one or two
positive nodes was associated with significantly better survival than the
presence of three positive nodes. These groups should therefore be
distinguished. Within the n1 beta group, there was no significant
difference in survival between patients with four and those with seven or
more positive nodes. Comparisons of n1 beta and n2 patients after
subgrouping by the number of positive nodes (4-9 and 10 or more) revealed a
significantly poorer prognosis in the n2 group. CONCLUSIONS: When the
prognosis of breast cancer is considered from the viewpoint of lymph node
metastasis, the location number as described in the General Rules is an
excellent classification. However, we should be aware of possible
differences in the prognosis depending on the number of positive nodes, as
this is masked by the location number.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
The location of positive nodes partly influences the prognostic value of the number of positive nodes in breast cancer patients
Department of Breast Surgery, Cancer Institute, Tokyo, Japan.
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