title: Correlation of various histopathologic prognostic factors with Nottingham prognostic index and microvessel density in invasive breast carcinoma: A study of 100 cases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nottingham prognostic index (NPI) is a widely used integrated prognostic variable in patients with breast cancer. NPI has been correlated with tumor size, grade, lymph node stage and patient survival. The present study aimed at evaluating and correlating the various clinical and pathologic features of breast carcinoma with NPI.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study included 100 consecutive cases of primary breast carcinoma over a period of 2 years. Demographic data was noted and histomorphological features like tumor size, grade, lymph node involvement, necrosis, vascular invasion etc., were assessed. NPI was calculated as reported in the literature. Immunohistochemical staining for hormone receptors and CD34 (to calculate microvessel density [MVD]) was performed. Statistical analysis was used for correlation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 100 cases, 54% of the tumors were in T2 tumor size category (2-5 cm) and lymph node metastasis in 48% of the cases. NPI ranged from 2.3 to 7.3 with 54% of the cases in the intermediate NPI group (3.41-5.4). The mean MVD was 160.93 (±69.4/mm2). On statistical analysis, tumor size and grade, lymph node stage, mitotic rate, nuclear pleomorphism, necrosis and MVD showed a correlation with NPI (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NPI is an important and useful prognostic indicator for breast cancer patients, which shows the correlation with other histomorphological prognostic features as well.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kwatra
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Aggarwal
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Chaturvedi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kudesia
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Hindu Rao Hospital, Malka Ganj, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Singh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D055806:Microvessels / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis