Document Type : Research Articles
Authors
1
Cancer Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
2
School of Public Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
3
Department of surgery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
4
Department of Surgery, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Mazandaran, Iran.
Abstract
Background: Recurrence of breast cancer after treatment is generally due to loco-regional invasion or distant
metastasis. Although patients with metastasis are considered incurable, existing treatments might prolong a patient’s life
while also improving its quality. Choice of approach for individual patients requires identification of relevant survival
factors. This study concerns factors influencing survival after recurrence in Iranian breast cancer patients. Methods: This
study was performed on 442 recurrent breast cancer patients referred to the Cancer Research Center of Shahid Beheshti
University between 1985 and 2015. After confirming recurrence as a distant metastasis or loco-regional invasion, the
effects of demographic, clinic-pathologic, biological, type of surgery and type of adjuvant treatment on survival were
evaluated using univariate and multivariate stratified Cox models. Results: The mean survival after recurrence was
18 months (5 days to 13 years), 219 patients (70.42%) survived two years, 75 patients (24.12%) survived from 2 to 5
years, and 17 patients (5.47%) survived more than 5 years. In this study, it was found through univariate analysis that the
factors of age, lymph node status, DFI, place of recurrence and nodal ratio demonstrated greatest influence on survival
after recurrence. On multivariate analysis, the most important factors influencing survival were the place of recurrence
and the lymph node status. Conclusion: The results of this study enhance our knowledge of effects of different factors
on survival of patients after breast cancer recurrence. Thus, they may be used to inform treatment choice.
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