Effecst of Patho- Biological Factors on the Survival of Recurrent Breast Cancer Cases

Abstract

Background: Recurrence of breast cancer after treatment is generally due to loco-regional invasion or distant<br />metastasis. Although patients with metastasis are considered incurable, existing treatments might prolong a patient's life<br />while also improving its quality. Choice of approach for individual patients requires identification of relevant survival<br />factors. This study concerns factors influencing survival after recurrence in Iranian breast cancer patients. Methods: This<br />study was performed on 442 recurrent breast cancer patients referred to the Cancer Research Center of Shahid Beheshti<br />University between 1985 and 2015. After confirming recurrence as a distant metastasis or loco-regional invasion, the<br />effects of demographic, clinic-pathologic, biological, type of surgery and type of adjuvant treatment on survival were<br />evaluated using univariate and multivariate stratified Cox models. Results: The mean survival after recurrence was<br />18 months (5 days to 13 years), 219 patients (70.42%) survived two years, 75 patients (24.12%) survived from 2 to 5<br />years, and 17 patients (5.47%) survived more than 5 years. In this study, it was found through univariate analysis that the<br />factors of age, lymph node status, DFI, place of recurrence and nodal ratio demonstrated greatest influence on survival<br />after recurrence. On multivariate analysis, the most important factors influencing survival were the place of recurrence<br />and the lymph node status. Conclusion: The results of this study enhance our knowledge of effects of different factors<br />on survival of patients after breast cancer recurrence. Thus, they may be used to inform treatment choice.