Validation of breast cancer prognostic models.

ABSTRACT

Besides classic prognostic factors in breast cancer, there are numerous variables without fully established prognostic value. The use of all these factors in daily clinical practice may prove difficult. In this study we investigated the validity of certain reported prognostic models in our own population of patients. In a retrospective series of 244 breast cancer patients, we determined certain clinical, morphological and immunohistochemistry variables. Validity analysis of the prognostic models reported by other authors was performed by the use of their corresponding Cox equations calculated from the data published. The validation made with the Paik model without prognostic value has obtained statistical significance in our series, and variables predicting the evolution of their patients was not confirmed. The application of the Lovekin prognostic model did appear to be valid in our group of patients. It has not been possible to verify as prognostic in our patients all the models proposed by other authors.