Mitotic activity index in interval breast cancers

• Published in: European journal of surgical oncology Vol. 29; no. 1; pp. 29 - 31
• Main Authors: Groenendijk, R.P.R, Bult, P, Noppen, C.M, Boetes, C, Ruers, T.J.M, Wobbes, T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2003
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biomarkers, Tumor - metabolism; Breast Neoplasms - diagnosis; Breast Neoplasms - metabolism; Breast Neoplasms - pathology; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast - diagnosis; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast - metabolism; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast - pathology; Female; Humans; Mass Screening; Middle Aged; mitotic activity index, interval, breast cancer; Mitotic Index; Neoplasm Invasiveness; Neoplasm Staging; Netherlands; Prognosis; Receptors, Estrogen - metabolism; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; Women's Health; Netherlands; mitotic activity index, interval, breast cancer
• ISSN: 0748-7983; 1532-2157
• DOI: 10.1053/ejso.2002.1390

Aims: The Mitotic Activity Index (MAI) is a strong prognostic factor for disease free survival in breast cancer. The MAI is lower in screen detected tumours, correlating with less aggressive biological behaviour in this group. In this study the MAI is compared between screen detected, interval and symptomatic breast cancers. Methods: Between 1991 and 1999, the MAI was determined in 581 breast cancers, 160 were detected by screening, 66 were interval carcinomas, and 355 were symptomatic breast cancers. Other prognostic factors were also registered. Results: The interval group had a significantly higher median MAI (17–18, range 1–134) than the screen detected group (7–8, range 0–94,P <0.0001). There was no difference with the symptomatic group (MAI 15, range 0–149,P =0.92). Conclusions: Interval cancers had an intermediate outcome when correlated with other prognostic factors, compared to screen detected and symptomatic cancers.