Treatment outcome in patients with stage III breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy

Abstract

Despite the good responses of patients (pts) with stage III breast cancer to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), most eventually relapse and have a poor prognosis. We investigated the prognostic indicators in pts with stage III breast cancer treated with NAC, using epirubicin and/or docetaxel. A total of 22 women with stage III breast cancer underwent NAC between January 2005 and May 2011. The regimens of NAC comprised ED (epirubicin 60 mg/m2 and docetaxel 60 mg/m2) in 10 cases, FEC (fluorouracil 500 mg/m2, epirubicin 75–100 mg/m2 and cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m2) in 10 cases and EC (epirubicin 60 mg/m2 and cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2) in two cases. Following four cycles of each regimen, a further four cycles of D (docetaxel 70 mg/m2) were undertaken in nine cases. Subsequent to the completion of NAC and surgery, we assessed the clinicopathological results and performed prognostic analyses. Statistical analyses concerning disease-free survival (DFS) or overall survival (OS) were conducted by a Cox proportional hazard model. The median survival time was 66 months and there were 12 distant metastases and two local recurrences. Multivariate analyses showed the number of metastatic axillary lymph nodes (ALNs) [hazard ratio (HR), 1.079; P=0.023] was correlated with DFS, while the Ki-67 labeling index (HR, 1.109; P=0.042) and the number of meta-static ALNs (HR, 1.087; P=0.023) were correlated with OS. In conclusion, even if pts with stage III breast cancer show good responses to NAC using epirubicin and/or docetaxel, the majority eventually relapse and have a poor prognosis. The Ki-67 labeling index and the number of involved ALNs are suggested as prognostic indicators in stage III breast cancer.

Does the Type of Reconstruction Matter? A Propensity Score Matched Analysis of Immediate Post-mastectomy Implant and Flap Reconstruction

“…Previous studies evaluating outcomes of stage III breast cancer associated Ki-67 and axillary lymph node involvement to be prognostic indicators for this population. 32 Moreover, selection bias may have been present in the flap group. Traditionally, flap-based reconstruction has been used for more aggressive and advanced tumors to minimize complication effects of adjuvant therapies, which may be associated with worse outcomes.…”

Overall Survival for Stage III Breast Cancer Patients at DR. Mohammad Hoesin General Hospital Palembang and the Influencing Factors

“…The patient's survival is related to several clinicopathological factors, including tumor size, clinical stage, metastasis history, histological grade, and type [11][12][13]. The differences in treatment modality based on the clinical and tumor characteristics as well as the expression of hormone receptors may result in different survival [14][15][16]. Sociodemographic status, including age, education, marital status, and family history is known to be an influencing factor for breast cancer survival [7,[17][18][19][20].…”