Mitotic activity index in interval breast cancers.
OBJECTIVE
The Mitotic Activity Index (MAI) is a strong prognostic factor for disease free survival in breast cancer. The MAI is lower in screen detected tumours, correlating with less aggressive biological behaviour in this group. In this study the MAI is compared between screen detected, interval and symptomatic breast cancers.


METHODS
Between 1991 and 1999, the MAI was determined in 581 breast cancers, 160 were detected by screening, 66 were interval carcinomas, and 355 were symptomatic breast cancers. Other prognostic factors were also registered.


RESULTS
The interval group had a significantly higher median MAI (17-18, range 1-134) than the screen detected group (7-8, range 0-94,P <0.0001). There was no difference with the symptomatic group (MAI 15, range 0-149,P =0.92).


CONCLUSIONS
Interval cancers had an intermediate outcome when correlated with other prognostic factors, compared to screen detected and symptomatic cancers.
Groenendijk
R P R
RP
Department of Surgery, IJsselland Hospital, P.O. Box 690, Prins Constantijnweg 2, 2906 ZC Capelle a/d IJssel, The Netherlands. RGroenendijk@ysl.nl
Bult
P
P
Noppen
C M
CM
Boetes
C
C
Ruers
T J M
TJ
Wobbes
T
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D008940:Mitotic Index; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009426:Netherlands; D011379:Prognosis; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; D016387:Women's Health
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen