Prognostic factors in breast cancer: theoretical and clinical aspects (review).
To estimate the prognosis of a patient is extremely important, because it strongly influences the therapeutic strategy. For this purpose a battery of prognostic factors has been described and evaluated, some of which are discussed in the present paper. They are divided into four categories (epidemiologic/demographic, anatomic/morphologic, hormonal/cellular and genetic/molecular factors). Although there are still many difficulties in the evaluation of prognostic factors, that must be overcome and although the ideal prognostic factor(s) are not yet defined, there are some that have been proved useful and should be employed for the benefit of the patients.
Von Kleist
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Institute of Immunobiology, Medical Faculty, Freiburg, Germany.
D000367:Age Factors; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006728:Hormones / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D006728:Hormones