Abstract:
Objective To analyze the distribution, clinico-pathologic features, and survival status of different subtypes in axillary lymph node-negative invasive breast cancer patients.
Methods In this study, data of 183 patients were included and retrospectively analyzed in terms of age distribution, clinico-pathologic features, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival based on different subtypes (luminal, basal-like, and HER-2 over-expression).
Results No significant differences in age, tumor size, and TNM stage was observed among different subtypes. The relapse rates of luminal, basal-like, and HER-2 over-expression subtypes were 3.9% (4/102), 20.4% (10/49), and 6.3% (2/32), respectively (P=0.002). The death rates of luminal, basal-like, and HER-2 over-expression subtypes were 2.0% (2/102), 6.1% (3/49), and 3.1% (1/32), respectively (P>0.05). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the DFS of basal-like subtype was much lower compared with that of the luminal and HER-2 over-expression subtypes (P=0.002). Cox analysis showed that the subtype was an independent prognostic indicator (P=0.001).
Conclusion In node-negative invasive breast cancer, no significant differences in age distribution, tumor size, and TNM stage was observed among different subtypes. The basal-like subtype has the worst prognosis. Therefore, subtype is an important independent prognostic indicator.