Effect of large tumor size on cancer-specific mortality in node-negative breast cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To examine the relationship between large tumor size and breast cancer-specific mortality (BCSM), especially in a subset of patients with negative lymph nodes (LNs).

Patients and methods

We used the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results registry to identify 107,705 female patients diagnosed from January 1, 1990, through December 31, 2003, as having invasive breast cancer and treated with surgery and LN dissection. Relevant issues unclear in the database were studied in an additional 335 patients with locally advanced disease treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Results

In the multivariable analysis, a significant interaction was found between tumor size and LN involvement (P<.001). In LN-negative diseases, the relationship between tumor size and BCSM

SUBMITTER: Yu KD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3541936 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature