M. Ryberg et al., Prognostic factors and long-term survival in 585 patients with metastatic breast cancer treated with epirubicin-based chemotherapy, ANN ONCOL, 12(1), 2001, pp. 81-87
Background: Analysis of prognostic factors in patients with metastatic brea
st cancer treated with epirubicin-based chemotherapy.
Patients and methods: Data from 469 patients treated with epirubicin-based
chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer were used. Prognostic factors wer
e identified (Cox multivariate analysis). A prognostic index was compiled a
nd risk groups were established accordingly. The applicability of the index
was investigated in a series of 116 patients.
Results: The prognostic factors identified were: liver, pleural, soft tissu
e, lung and bone metastases, performance status >2, advancing age, abnormal
elevation of serum lactate dehydrogenase and negative/unknown oestrogen re
ceptor status. Four risk groups were established: good, intermediate I, int
ermediate II and poor. The median and five-year survivals in percentage wer
e: good: 34 months (26%); intermediate I: 19 months (6%); intermediate II:
12 months (0%); poor: 7 months (1%). The corresponding values in the applic
ability group were: 32 months (23%); 28 months (22%); 18 months (5%); and 6
months (0%).
Conclusions: It is more the number and impact on the organs involved, that
predict the patients' survival. The construction of a prognostic index coul
d be helpful in assessing the outlook for patients, especially the quite dr
amatic difference in long-term survival between the good and poor risk pati
ents.