Breast cancer natural history
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1], Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Mirdula Sharma, MBBS [2]
Overview
The natural progression of breast cancer hinges largely on several prognostic factors such as: stage at diagnosis, presence of estrogen and progesterone receptors, and HER2/neu status.
History
- There is a theory that up to 22% of small (radiographically detected) breast tumours regress, based on an analysis in a large population.[1] The study is supported by NCI's SEER data.[2]
- The natural history of breast cancer is extremely variable ranging from indolent cancers to aggressive cancers that can metastasize with fatal consequences.[3]
Prognosis
The prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options depend on the following:
- The stage of the cancer (the size of the tumor and whether it is in the breast only or has spread to lymph nodes or other places in the body)
- The type of breast cancer
- Estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor levels in the tumor tissue
- Human epidermal growth factor type 2 receptor (HER2/neu) levels in the tumor tissue
- Whether the tumor tissue is triple negative (cells that do not have estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, or high levels of HER2/neu)
- How fast the tumor is growing
- How likely the tumor is to recur (come back)
- A woman’s age, general health, and menopausal status (whether a woman is still having menstrual periods)
- Whether the cancer has just been diagnosed or has recurred (come back)
Nottingham Prognostic Index
The Nottingham prognostic index (NPI) is used to determine prognosis following surgery for breast cancer. Its value is calculated using three pathological criteria: the size of the lesion; the number of involved lymph nodes; and the grade of the tumor.[4]
Calculation
The index is calculated using the formula:
- NPI = [0.2 x S] + N + G
Where:
- S is the size of the index lesion in centimetres
- N is the node status: 0 nodes = 1, 1-4 nodes = 2, >4 nodes = 3
- G is the grade of tumour: Grade I =1, Grade II =2, Grade III =3
Interpretation
| Score | 5-year survival |
|---|---|
| >/=2.0 to </=2.4 | 93% |
| >2.4 to </=3.4 | 85% |
| >3.4 to </=5.4 | 70% |
| >5.4 | 50% |
Estimated five year survival rates:[5]
stage I: ~87% stage II: ~75% stage III: ~46% stage IV: ~13%
References
- ↑ Zahl PH, Maehlen J, Welch HG (2008). "The natural history of invasive breast cancers detected by screening mammography". Arch Intern Med. 168 (21): 2311–6. doi:10.1001/archinte.168.21.2311. PMID 19029493.
- ↑ Jatoi I, Anderson WF (2009). "Breast cancer overdiagnosis with screening mammography". Arch Intern Med. 169 (10): 999–1000, author reply 1000-1. doi:10.1001/archinternmed.2009.95. PMC 2768420. PMID 19468099.
- ↑ Breast Cancer. Cleveland Clinic (2015) http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/medicalpubs/diseasemanagement/hematology-oncology/breast-cancer/ Accessed on January 18 2016
- ↑ Nottingham Prognostic Index. Wikipedia(2016) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nottingham_Prognostic_Index Accessed on january 16, 2016
- ↑ Breast Cancer. RadioPedia (2015) http://radiopaedia.org/articles/breast-cancer-staging Accessed on January 16, 2016