Prognostic factors in node positive primary breast cancer patients treated with adjuvant CMF

The influence of various patient and disease-related parameters on survival (S) and disease-free survival (DFS) in 217 node positive primary breast cancer patients treated with surgery followed by adjuvant i.v. cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and 5-fluorouracil (CMF) was evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses. Five year actuarial S and DFS were 73.3% and 54.8%, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that patient age, number of involved axillary nodes and ER status had a significant impact on both S and DFS. PgR positive tumors had improved DFS but no S difference was observed. Menopausal status predicted S but not DFS. Primary tumor size and CMF-induced amenorrhea did not predict disease outcome. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that only degree of nodal involvement and PgR status had independent significant impact on prognosis. Both S and DFS are significantly influenced by the number of involved nodes, whereas improved DFS but not S was evident in patients with PgR positive tumors.