Factors influencing on the prognosis in breast cancer

TNM classification, tumor size, lymph node metastasis, histological type of primary tumor, ER status and biological tumor markers have been recognized as prognostic factors in breast cancer. The 673 breast cancer patients undergoing radical mastectomy at this department were analyzed for TNM classification influencing on the postoperative prognosis. Five-and ten- year survival rates were 93% and 89% in stage I, 83.9% and 75.5% in stage II, 67.3% and 60% in stage III. The most common histological type, namely, invasive ductal carcinoma, of primary breast cancer was classified into three types by Japan Mammary Cancer Society. The first type was papillotubular carcinoma, the second solid-tubular carcinoma, and the third scirrhous carcinoma. The prognosis of papillotubular carcinoma was best. Many investigators reported that the prognosis of ER positive breast cancer was good. But in the latest report, the opposite result is obtained. More study is necessary to evaluate the prognostic value of ER. The most common biological tumor markers were CEA, LDH and ALP. The CEA was the best prognosis-factor in biological tumor markers.