Morphometric prognostic index in breast cancer

OBJECTIVE: To assess the ability of the morphometric prognostic index (MPI) in predicting clinical outcome in a group of breast cancer patients with s hort-term follow-up and to assess the relationship between MPI and of her p rognosticators. STUDY DESIGN: The study group consisted of 63 cases of breast cancer. Follo w-up data were available for 48 patients. MPI values were calculated, and d egree of nuclear and tubular differentiation was investigated in each tumor . S-phase fraction (SPF), estrogen and progesterone receptors were also stu died. RESULTS: The group of patients with MPI values <0.60 had percent values dis ease-free survival significantly higher than did those with MPI values grea ter than or equal to 0.60. Furthermore, significant direct correlations wer e found between MPI and degree of nuclear atypia and between MPI and SPF. S ignificant inverse relationships were found between MPI and tumor progester one receptor levels and between MPI and degree of histologic tubular differ entiation. CONCLUSION: The validity of MPI as a prognosticator in breast cancer was co nfirmed, even in a limited number of patients observed in short-term follow -up. MPI seems to be a reliable and economical prognosticator in selecting breast cancer patients for adjuvant chemotherapy.