Prognostic factors and long-term survival in 585 patients with metastatic breast cancer treated with epirubicin-based chemotherapy.
BACKGROUND
Analysis of prognostic factors in patients with metastatic breast cancer treated with epirubicin-based chemotherapy.


METHODS
Data from 469 patients treated with epirubicin-based chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer were used. Prognostic factors were identified (Cox multivariate analysis). A prognostic index was compiled and 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 tissue, lung and bone metastases, performance status > 2, advancing age, abnormal elevation of serum lactate dehydrogenase and negative/unknown oestrogen receptor status. Four risk groups were established: good, intermediate I, intermediate II and poor. The median and five-year survivals in percentage were: good: 34 months (26%); intermediate I: 19 months (6%), intermediate II: 12 months (0%); poor: 7 months (1%). The corresponding values in the applicability 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 could be helpful in assessing the outlook for patients, especially the quite dramatic difference in long-term survival between the good and poor risk patients.
Ryberg
M
M
Department of Oncology, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. marianneryberg@dadlnet.dk
Nielsen
D
D
Osterlind
K
K
Skovsgaard
T
T
Dombernowsky
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000032:analysis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D011379:Prognosis; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016019:Survival Analysis
D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase