title: [Clinical importance of histology, grading and ploidies in primary breast cancer].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In order to characterise carcinoma of the breast the determination of ploidy can be used in addition to established prognostic factors such as histology and grading. The aim of the investigation was to establish the association between histology, grading and ploidy and to indicate the prognostic and predictive value of these parameters in relation to disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS).
  
  
  METHODS
  125 consecutive cases of primary breast carcinoma occurring between the years 1992-1995 were surveyed. The median follow up time lasted 45 months. Correlation analyses were carried out using the Chi-square test, Kaplan-Meier (univariate) and Cox (multivariate) methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Histology and grading showed no correlation to ploidy but seems to be of importance for DFS in node-negative breast carcinoma. Ploidy did not influence neither DFS nor OS. Ductal histology appeared to be a useful factor in predicting the response of cases treated with an anti-oestrogen (Tamoxifen) since in this group a higher relapse rate of 25% occurred.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ploidy appears not to be of clinical importance.
authors.affiliation: Frauenklinik, Okumenisches Krankenhaus Ibbenbüren (GmbH), Ibbenbüren.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Schlotter
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kropp
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wichert
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Vogt
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Krieg
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Bosse
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wassmann
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011003:Ploidies; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate