Outcome of Surgical Treatment of Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma

To evaluate surgical results and the effect of adjuvant chemotherapy in cases of hilar cholangiocarcinoma, we retrospectively analyzed 27 consecutive patients who underwent surgical resection (eight bile duct resections, 18 bile duct resections plus hepatectomy, one hepatopancreaticoduodenectomy). There was no operative mortality, and the morbidity was 37%. Curative resection (R0 resection) was achieved in 20 (74%) patients. Overall survival at 3 and 5 years was 44% and 27%, significantly higher than that of 47 patients who did not undergo resection (3.5% and 0% at 3 and 5 years, p < 0.0001). Survival of patients with positive margins (R1/2 resection) was poor; there were no 5-year survivors. However, survival was better than that of patients who did not undergo resection (median survival: 22 vs 9 months, p = 0.0007). Univariate analysis identified lymph node metastasis as a negative prognostic factor (p = 0.043). Median survival of patients who underwent adjuvant chemotherapy was significantly longer than that of patients who did not (42 vs. 22 months, p = 0.0428). Resection should be considered as the first option for hilar cholangiocarcinoma. There appears to be a survival advantage even in patients with cancer-positive margins. Adjuvant chemotherapy may increase long-term survival.     

Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma: A Review and Commentary

Hilar cholangiocarcinoma is an uncommon cause of malignant biliary obstruction marked by local tumor spread for which surgery offers the only chance of cure. The diagnostic evaluation and surgical management of this disease continues to evolve. Although direct cholangiography and endoscopic biliary procedures have been used extensively to anatomically define the extent of tumor involvement, establish biliary decompression, and obtain histological confirmation of tumor, reliance on these invasive procedures is no longer necessary, and may be detrimental. Current noninvasive imaging technology permits accurate staging of the primary tumor and has improved patient selection for operative intervention without the need for invasive procedures. Overall survival has improved in accordance with an increasingly aggressive surgical approach. The propensity of this tumor for local invasion has led most experienced hepatobiliary centers to perform a partial hepatectomy in 50% to 100% of cases. Three-year survival rates of 35% to 50% can be achieved when negative histological margins are attained at the time of surgery. When resection is not feasible, either operative bilioenteric bypass or percutaneous transhepatic intubation can achieve significant palliation. There is no effective adjuvant therapy for this disease, and unless clear indications of unresectability exist, most patients should be considered for surgical exploration.     

Surgical Resection and Prognostic Analysis of 142 Cases of Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma

Surgical resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma is the only curative option, but low resectability rate and poor survival outcomes remain a challenge. This study was to assess the surgical resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma and analyze the prognostic factors influencing postoperative survival. One hundred forty-two patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma who underwent surgical resection between January 2006 and December 2014 were analyzed retrospectively based on clinicopathological and demographic data. Univariate and multivariate analysis against outcome were employed to identify potential factors affecting prognosis. Ninety-five patients were performed with R0 resection with median survival time of 22 months; whereas, 47 patients underwent non-R0 resection (R1 = 20, R2 = 27) with that of 10 months. Of these 95 patients, 19 underwent concomitant with vascular resection and reconstruction and 2 patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy. 64.8% patients (n = 92) underwent combined with hepatectomy. The one-year, three-year, and five-year survival rates after R0 resection were 76.3, 27.8, 11.3%, respectively, which was significantly better than that after non-curative resection (P = 0.000). Multivariate analysis revealed that non-curative resection (RR: 2.414, 95% CI 1.586–3.676, P = 0.000), pathological differentiation (P = 0.015) and preoperative serum total bilirubin above 10 mg/dL (RR: 1.844, 95% CI 1.235–2.752, P = 0.003) were independent prognostic factors. Aggressive curative resection remains to be the optimal option for hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Non-curative resection, pathological differentiation, and preoperative serum total bilirubin above 10 mg/ dL were associated with dismal prognosis.     

40例肝门部胆管癌临床诊断与治疗分析

目的评价肝门部胆管癌的诊治方法并确定该病的可治愈性。方法回顾性分析40例肝门部胆管癌患者的资料,其中行根治性切除术18例,非根治性手术22例。结果肝门部胆管癌早期无特异症状,误诊率高。行根治性切除术者围术期死亡1例。两组各失访2例,根治性切除术15例,中位生存时间为30（7～70）个月;1、3、5年生存率分别为86.7%,54.5%和25.0%;非根治性切除术20例,中位生存时间为16（4～41）个月;1、3、5年生存率分别为45.0%,7.7%,0。结论术前影像学检查准确的评价可切除性、术中选择适宜的手术方式、合理应用肝切除术是提高疗效的关键问题。根治性切除术是最佳的治疗方式。     

肝门部胆管癌的外科治疗及预后影响因素分析

目的总结肝门部胆管癌的治疗并探讨其预后的影响因素。方法回顾性分析2000年1月至2010年12月期间笔者所在医院收治的189例肝门部胆管癌患者的临床资料,采用Cox比例风险模型进行预后影响因素的多因素分析。结果189例肝门部胆管癌患者中,行根治性手术切除62例,行姑息性手术切除54例,行非切除I生手术73例。多因素分析结果显示,手术方式（RR=0．165）、分化程度（RR=2．692）、淋巴结转移（RR=3．014）、神经浸润（RR=2．857）和血管浸润（RR=2．365）均是预后的独立影响因素（P〈0.05）。结论根治性切除术是治疗肝门部胆管癌的最佳手术方法,有效的肝十二指肠韧带“骨骼化”、受侵神经和血管的彻底切除是改善患者预后的重要因素。     

Surgical Outcomes and Predicting Factors of Curative Resection in Patients with Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma: 10-Year Single-Institution Experience

Background

The surgical resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma is extremely challenging because the tumor is closely related with the complicated hilar structures. We investigated to identify the outcomes for patients who underwent surgical resection and to identify the parameters that influenced radical resection.

Methods

From January 2000 to December 2009, 105 patients underwent surgical resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma. The clinicopathological parameters and surgical outcomes were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

There were 15 operative mortalities (14.3%). Seventy-four patients underwent curative resection (70.5%). The median overall survival time for R0, R1, and R2 were 58, 28, and 19?months, respectively. Caudate lobectomy (p?=?0.044; odds ratio [OR], 4.386) and perineural invasion (p?=?0.01; OR, 0.062) were correlated with curative resection. Total bilirubin levels of more than 3?g/dl just before the operation (p?=?0.042; hazard ratio [HR], 2.109) and extent of resection (R1 and 2 vs R0; p?=?0.05; HR, 2.309) were selected as significantly negative factors affecting overall survival on the multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

Caudate lobectomy and neurectomy may be thought of as adjustable territories by the surgeon??s efforts to achieve curative resection. R0 resection achieved through those efforts and liver optimization using preoperative biliary drainage may offer the patients a chance of cure.     

Prognosis of Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma: Hilar Bile Duct Cancer versus Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Involving the Hepatic Hilus

Background Clinically hepatobiliary resection is indicated for both hilar bile duct cancer (BDC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma involving the hepatic hilus (CCC). The aim of this study was to compare the long-term outcome of BDC and CCC. Methods Between 1990 and 2004, we surgically treated 158 consecutive patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma. The clinicopathological data on all of the patients were analyzed retrospectively. Results The overall 3-year survival rate, 5-year survival rate, and median survival time for BDC patients were 48.4%, 38.4 %, and 33.7 months, respectively, and 35.8%, 24.5 %, and 22.7 months, respectively, in CCC patients (P = .033). On multivariate analysis, three independent factors were related to longer survival in BDC patients: achieved in curative resection with cancer free margin (R0) (P = .024, odds ratio 1.862), well differentiated or papillary adenocarcinoma (P = .011, odds ratio 2.135), and absence of lymph node metastasis (P < .001, odds ratio 3.314). Five factors were related to longer survival in CCC patients: absence of intrahepatic daughter nodules (P < .001, odds ratio 2.318), CEA level ≤2.9 ng/mL (P = .005, odds ratio 2.606), no red blood cell transfusion requirement (P = .016, odds ratio 2.614), absence or slight degree of lymphatic system invasion (P < .001, odds ratio 4.577), and negative margin of the proximal bile duct (P = .003, odds ratio 7.398). Conclusions BDC and CCC appear to have different prognoses after hepatobiliary resection. Therefore, differentiating between these two categories must impact the prediction of postoperative survival in patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma. T. Sano is currently with: Hepato-Biliary and Pancreatic Surgery Division, Aichi Cancer Center Hospital, Nagoya, Japan.     

170例Ⅲ型肝门胆管癌的治疗及预后分析

目的探讨Ⅲ型肝门胆管癌的治疗及其预后的影响因素。方法回顾性分析2002年1月至2011年12月期间笔者所在医院收治的170例Ⅲ型肝门胆管癌患者的临床资料。结果170例患者中,行手术切除60例,行姑息性支架或u管支撑引流49例,行经皮经肝胆管外引流14例,未治疗47例。60例手术切除患者中,R0切除50例,R1切除10例。手术切除患者预后影响因素的Cox比例风险模型结果显示,手术切缘（HR=4．621,95％ CI：1．907-11．199,P=0．001）、肝叶切除（HR=3．003,95％ CI：1．373-6．569,P=0．006）及淋巴结转移（HR=2．792,95％ CI：1．393-5．598,P=0．004）与预后均相关。所有患者预后影响因素的Cox比例风险模型结果显示,治疗方法【R0切除（HR=0．177,95％ CI：0．081-0．035,P〈0．001）,未治疗（舰=5．568,95％ CI：2．733-11．342,P〈0．001）]及血管侵犯（HR=I．667,95％ CI：1．152-2．412,P=-0．007）与预后均相关。结论治疗方式与血管是否受侵犯与Ⅲ型肝门胆管癌的预后相关;可行手术切除患者中联合肝叶切除、R0切除及无淋巴结转移者的预后相对较好。     

Prognostic Factors in Primary Gastric Lymphoma

BACKGROUND: There is not a gold standard in the treatment of primary gastric lymphoma (PGL). This study aimed to establish prognostic factors that should be considered for the staging and management of this disease. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed and analyzed the clinicopathological features of patients treated for PGL in a tertiary referral center in Mexico City in a 10-year period from 1990 through 2000. Staging was performed with the Ann-Arbor system. Overall and disease-free survivals were the primary endpoints. RESULTS: We identified 41 patients of which 19 (46.3%) were classified as large-cell lymphoma, 16 (39.0%) as low-grade MALT, and 6 (14.6%) patients as lymphoma unspecified. The series included 15 (36.6%) patients with stage IV disease. Twenty patients (48.8%) underwent surgery and 34 (82.1%) received chemotherapy. Twenty-three patients were treated with at least two different types of therapy (56.1%). Actuarial 1 and 5 years survival were 77.8 and 71.2%, respectively. Early stage at presentation, surgery, normal lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) levels and good performance status were associated with longer survival in univariate analysis. Only normal LDH and good performance status retained their significance in multivariate analysis. Regarding disease-free survival in multivariate analysis, only normal LDH was associated with a better prognosis: 131 versus 12 months for LDH <197 and >or=197 mg/dl, respectively (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Optimal treatment of PGL remains controversial. High LDH levels and poor performance status at diagnosis are associated with shorter overall and disease-free survival and should be considered for the staging and management of these patients.     

Hilar cholangiocarcinoma associated with sarcoid reaction in the regional lymph nodes

A 74-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with a 2-week history of jaundice. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy revealed a nodular tumor originating in the upper part of the common hepatic duct, which was invading the confluence of the right and left hepatic ducts. Microscopic examination of biopsy specimens revealed adenocarcinoma. Abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography demonstrated multiple enlarged lymph nodes around the extrahepatic bile duct and the common hepatic artery. Laparotomy revealed lymph node enlargement in the hepatoduodenal ligament, behind the pancreatic head, and along the common hepatic and left gastric arteries. Extended left hepatic lobectomy, caudate lobectomy, and resection of extrahepatic bile duct with extended lymph node dissection were performed. The histology of permanent specimen revealed no tumor metastasis but a sarcoid reaction in the lymph nodes. The patient is in good health 21 months after the operation, without any evidence of recurrence. This is the first successfully resected case of hilar cholangiocarcinoma associated with sarcoid reaction in the regional lymph nodes.     

Factors Affecting Distant Disease-Free Survival for Primary Invasive Breast Cancer: Use of a Log-Normal Survival Model

Background: Invasive breast cancer is a frequently diagnosed disease that now comes with an ever expanding array of therapeutic management options. We assessed the effects of 20 prognostic factors in a multivariate context.Methods: We accrued clinical data for 156 consecutive patients with stage 1–3 primary invasive breast cancer who were diagnosed in 1989–1990 at the Henrietta Banting Breast Center, and followed to 1995. There is complete follow-up for 91% of patients (median follow-up of 4.9 years). The event of interest was distant recurrence (for distant disease-free survival, DFS). We used Cox and log-normal step-wise regression to assess the multivariate effects of the following factors on DFS: age, tumor size, nodal status, histology, tumor and nuclear grade, lymphovascular and perineural invasion (LVPI), ductal carcinoma-in-situ (DCIS) type, DCIS extent, DCIS at edge of tumor, ER and PgR, ERICA, adjuvant systemic therapy, ki67, S-phase, DNA index, neu oncogene, and pRb.Results: There was strong evidence against the Cox assumption of proportional hazards for nodal status, and nodal status was not in the Cox step-wise model. With step-wise log-normal regression, a large tumor size (P < .001), positive nodes (P 5 .002), high nuclear grade (P 5 .01), presence of LVPI (P 5 .03), and infiltrating duct carcinoma not otherwise specified (P 5 .05) were associated with a reduction in DFS.Conclusions: For nodal status, there was strong evidence against the Cox assumption of proportional hazards, and it was not included in the Cox model although it was in the log-normal model. Only traditional factors were included in the step-wise models. Thus, this statistical management of prognostic markers in breast cancer appears to be very important.     

58例肝外胆管癌的临床治疗及预后因素分析

目的分析肝外胆管癌治疗方法及预后影响因素。方法回顾性分析58例肝外胆管癌患者的临床病理资料,应用Kaplan-Meier法计算生存率,对可能影响患者预后的因素分别进行单因素分析(log-rank检验),应用Cox比例风险模型进行多因素统计分析。结果 58例患者中位生存期为33个月,1、3和5年疾病特异性生存率分别为78.6%、39.3%和17.8%。根治性手术组与非根治性手术组患者1、3、5年疾病特异性生存率分别为88.2%、70.1%、37.4%和71.7%、23.0%、7.8%(P=0.001);行辅助化疗和未行辅助化疗两组3和5年疾病特异性生存率分别为69.1%、39.8%和40.1%、9.3%(P=0.029)。单因素分析的结果显示患者治疗前血清总胆红素、白蛋白水平、组织分化程度、是否行根治术、切缘有无残存肿瘤、有无脉管侵犯、有无淋巴结转移、肝转移以及是否行辅助化疗等因素对生存的影响有统计学意义(P<0.05)。多因素分析结果示根治术、切缘阳性、淋巴转移是影响肝外胆管癌患者生存的重要因素(P<0.05)。结论根治术、淋巴结转移、切缘阳性等因素对肝外胆管癌患者的生存产生重要影响;在肝外胆管癌诊治中,根治术仍是改善预后的重要措施,辅助化疗可能改善生存,但不是独立预后因素。     

A long-term recurrence-free survival of a patient with the mixed adeno-neuroendocrine bile duct carcinoma: A case report and review of the literature

IntroductionNeuroendocrine tumors arising primarily in the bile duct are rare. And among these tumors, mixed adeno-neuroendocrine carcinoma (MANEC) is quite uncommon. We report a patient with MANEC who achieved long-term recurrence-free survival. And our case report includes analysis previous case reports.Presentation of caseA 66-year-old man underwent investigation for persistent anorexia and fatigue. Laboratory tests showed that the values of hepatobiliary enzymes were increased. On CT, a 10 mm × 8 mm hypervascular tumor was observed in the distal bile duct and the proximal bile duct was markedly dilated. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) also showed a stenosis with a long diameter of 10 mm. Examination of a biopsy specimen obtained from the narrow site of the bile duct at the time of ERC revealed tubular adenocarcinoma. Therefore, pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed under a preoperative diagnosis of distal bile duct carcinoma. Postoperative pathologic examination revealed alveolar structures and a mixture of moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma with synaptophysin-positive and chromogranin-A-positive neuroendocrine carcinoma. Therefore, the final diagnosis was MANEC, pT3, pN1, M0, pStage II B (TNM classification of the UICC). Curative resection was achieved and there has been no recurrence after 30 months.DiscussionIn the previous reports, only five patients (14.7%) survived for 24 months or longer. Median survival was longer (14 months) in the curative resection group and shorter (6 months) in the non-curative resection group.ConclusionCurative resection is essential to achieve long-term survival in patients with bile duct MANEC, even if these patients have lymph node metastasis.     

Current Surgical Management of Hilar and Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: The Role of Resection and Orthotopic Liver Transplantation

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a rare but devastating malignancy that presents late, is notoriously difficult to diagnose, and is associated with a high mortality. Surgical resection is the only chance for cure or long-term survival. The treatment of CCA has remained challenging because of the lack of effective adjuvant therapy, aggressive nature of the disease, and critical location of the tumor in close proximity to vital structures such as the hepatic artery and the portal vein. Moreover, the operative approach is dictated by the location of the tumor and the presence of underlying liver disease. During the past 4 decades, the operative management of CCA has evolved from a treatment modality that primarily aimed at palliation to curative intent with an aggressive surgical approach to R0 resection and total hepatectomy followed by orthotopic liver transplantation.     

Resection for Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma: Analysis of Prognostic Factors and the Impact of Systemic Inflammation on Long-term Outcome

Introduction

Resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma is the single hope for long-term survival.

Methods

Ninety patients underwent curative intent surgery for hilar cholangiocarcinoma between 1996 and 2012. The potential prognostic factors were assessed by univariate (Kaplan–Meier curves and log-rank test) and multivariate analyses (Cox proportional hazards model).

Results

The median overall and disease-free survivals were 26 and 17 months, respectively. The multivariate analysis identified R0 resection (HR?=?0.03, 95 % CI 0–0.19, p?<?0.001), caudate lobe invasion (HR?=?6.33, 95 % CI 1.31–30.46, p?=?0.021), adjuvant gemcitabine-based chemotherapy (HR?=?0.38, 95 % CI 0.15–0.94, p?=?0.037), and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (HR?=?0.78, 95 % CI 0.62–0.98, p?=?0.036) as independent prognostic factors for disease-free survival. The independent prognostic factors for overall survival were R0 resection (HR?=?0.03, 95 % CI 0–0.22, p?<?0.001), caudate lobe invasion (HR?=?11.75, 95 % CI 1.65–83.33, p?=?0.014), and adjuvant gemcitabine-based chemotherapy (HR?=?0.19, 95 % CI 0.06–0.56, p?=?0.003).

Conclusions

The negative resection margin represents the most important prognostic factor. Adjuvant gemcitabine-based chemotherapy appears to benefit survival. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio may potentially be used to stratify patients for future clinical trials.     

Prognostic factors in survival of colorectal cancer patients after surgery

Objective  To determine the factors affecting survival, following resection of large bowel for colorectal carcinoma.
Method  From the cancer database of a single referral institution, a total of 1090 patients who had undergone colorectal resection between 1999 and 2002 were identified. Cases with recurrent colorectal cancer or previous history of neoadjuvant chemotherapy were excluded. Survival curves were plotted using the Kaplan–Meier method. Univariate analysis of factors thought to influence survival was then made using Logrank test. Criteria studied consisted of age, sex, TNM stage, T-status, nodal status, distant metastasis, histological grade, lymphatic and vascular invasion, tumour location, preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level and liver function tests. Multivariate analysis was conducted using Cox regression analysis.
Results  The mean survival time for all patients was 42.8 (SEM = 2.8) months. The overall 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 72%, 54% and 47%, respectively. In univariate analysis, patients' age ( P  < 0.0001), TNM stage ( P  < 0.0001), T-status ( P  = 0.015), nodal status ( P  = 0.016), distant metastasis ( P  < 0.0001), grade ( P  = 0.005), lymphatic and vascular invasion ( P  < 0.0001) and presurgery CEA level > 5 ng/ml ( P  = 0.021) were found to be predictors that could affect survival. In Cox regression analysis, age ( P  < 0.0001), TNM stage ( P  = 0.001) and grade ( P  = 0.008) were determined as independent prognostic factors of survival.
Conclusion  Age, TNM stage, T-status, nodal status, distant metastasis, grade, lymphatic and vascular invasion and presurgery CEA level can predict the postsurgical survival rate in patients with colorectal cancer.     

Severe Pericardial Effusion in Patients with Concurrent Malignancy: A Retrospective Analysis of Prognostic Factors Influencing Survival

Background  The treatment of massive and/or symptomatic pericardial effusion in patients with cancer remains a subject of discussion. Medical and surgical management have been proposed. In the present study, we aimed to determine the prognostic factors influencing survival of cancer patients admitted in intensive care unit (ICU) with severe pericardial effusion to better select the treatment strategies. Methods  All patients with cancer and massive or symptomatic pericardial effusion were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were followed up until death or last time known to be alive. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine prognostic factors influencing survival. Results  Between January 1999 and August 2004, 55 eligible patients were admitted in the ICU for pericardial effusion, including 30 with lung cancer, 9 with breast cancer, 5 with hematological malignancies, and 11 patients with other types of solid tumors. Forty-three patients underwent a surgical drainage. No operative death occurred. Four patients presented with an asymptomatic recurrence. Median survival of the entire group was 112 days. Survival rates for 1, 2, and 3 years were 27%, 17%, and 12%, respectively. In univariate analysis, the following variables were significantly associated with a reduced survival: histopathological diagnosis of malignant pericardial effusion, age (>60 years), the volume of pericardial effusion (<550 cc), and the cancer status (complete or partial response). After multivariate analysis, the cancer status was the only statistically significant clinical factor influencing overall survival (P = .005). Conclusion  In this series of patients presenting with severe pericardial effusion, the control of the underlying neoplasm was the only significant factor influencing survival and could be helpful in making decision to the optimal (invasive) treatment that should balance treatment efficacy with life expectancy.     

Correlation Between Prognostic Factors and Increasing Age in Melanoma

Background: Age of patients with melanoma varies directly with mortality and inversely with the presence of sentinel lymph node (SLN) metastasis. To gain further insight into this apparent paradox, we analyzed the relationship between age and other major prognostic factors.Methods: The Sunbelt Melanoma Trial is a prospective, randomized study with 79 institutions involving SLN biopsy for melanoma. Eligible patients were 18 to 70 years old with melanoma of 1.0-mm Breslow thickness and clinically N0 regional lymph nodes. SLNs were evaluated by serial histological sections and immunohistochemistry for S-100 protein.Results: A total of 3076 patients were enrolled in the study, with a median follow-up of 19 months. Five age groups were examined: 18 to 30, 31 to 40, 41 to 50, 51 to 60, and 61 to 70 years. Trends between age and several key prognostic factors was identified: as age group increased, so did Breslow thickness (analysis of variance; P < .001), the incidence of ulceration and regression, and the proportion of male patients (each variable: ², P < .001). The incidence of SLN metastasis, however, declined with increasing age (²; P < .001).Conclusions: As age increases, so does Breslow thickness, the incidence of ulceration and regression, and the proportion of male patients—all poor prognostic factors. However, the frequency of SLN metastasis declines with increasing age. It is not known whether this represents a decreased sensitivity (higher false-negative rate) of the SLN procedure in older patients or a different biological behavior (hematogenous spread) of melanomas in older patients.     

Retracted Article: Prognostic Factors in Breast Cancer: The Value of the Nottingham Prognostic Index for Patients Treated in a Single Institution

Purpose The Nottingham Prognostic Index (NPI) is used to predict survival in patients with breast cancer. This index is based on tumor size, lymph node stage, and histological grade and allows the stratification of patients into three different prognostic groups. Our aim was to verify the effect of some prognostic variables on survival and to establish the independent influence of each of these variables by a survival regression analysis. We applied the NPI to the same group of patients to assess its predictive power and reproducibility. Methods We evaluated 311 women with breast cancer treated between January 1993 and December 1998. Results In a multivariate analysis (Cox proportional hazard model), only size, lymph node involvement, and histological grade were independent prognostic factors. The survival curves obtained after applying the NPI were similar to those for the factors with independent prognostic significance derived from our multivariate analysis. Conclusion The NPI allows us to accurately predict prognosis, and we advocate its standardized use.