Prognostic scoring using cytomorphometry and lymph node status of patients with breast carcinoma

Applying morphometry on FNA smears may lead to meaningful prognostic subgrouping of breast carcinomas. A statistical analysis of the cytomorphometric and clinical data of 73 patients with breast carcinoma was performed. By multivariate analysis, taking into account various prognostic factors, it was shown that variations in nuclear area and the presence of axillary metastases were the most important prognosticators. By weighing these factors a prognostic score was obtained. According to that score the patients were classified into 4 score groups: the decreasing survival with increasing score was evident. The prognostic score was also related to the metastasis-free period. This prognostic scoring is relatively easy to perform, and can be done in routine pathology laboratories.