The prognostic value of histological grade in the outcome of patients with invasive breast cancer

Abstract

Prognostic factors are useful for the prediction of survival in breast cancer patients. According to many studies, tumor size and lymph node stage are the most powerful predictors of tumor behavior. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prognostic value of tumor histological grade. Materials and methods: The study included 214 operable breast cancer patients treated at the same institution that were evaluated to determine the prognostic value of tumor histological grade. Clinico-histopathological features of the patients were also evaluated for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Results: Tumor histological grade was an independent factor in cancer-specific survival (CSS) and disease-free survival (DFS) (P < 0.001). The prognostic value of histological grade for CSS and DFS was superior to that of all T stages and to pN0, pN1, and pN2 stages (P < 0.001). Conclusion: A classification system including histological grade, as a nodal status-like factor, could be more reliable in predicting breast cancer outcome.