Nodal status, C-ERBB-2 expression combined with lymphovascular invasion creates a more powerful tool for predicting outcome in breast cancer

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the prognostic role of peritumoral vascular invasion [PVI] and its association with axillary nodal status and c-erbB-2 expression. Seventy five patients with stage I and II breast carcinoma who underwent conservative breast surgery or modified radical mastectomy were assessed clinically and pathologically for tumor size, grade, axillary lymph node status and peritumoral vascular invasion [PVI]. The immunophenotype of the tumor was determined as the expression of oestrogen [ER] and progesterone [PgR] receptors, and c-erbB2. Thirty eight patients [50.7%] showed PVI. It was found that extensive PVI was significantly more likely to be associated with nodal positivity, higher tumor grade and c-erbB-2 over-expression. - 52/75 [69.3%] patients showed positive nodal status. The analysis showed that nodal positivity was significantly associated with tumor size, higher grade, presence of PVI and c-erbB-2 overexpression. - PVI and nodal positivity showed no significant association with receptor status. These data suggest that assessment of PVI together with axillary nodal status and c-erbB-2 expression creates a more powerful tool for predicting outcome in patients with breast cancer