[Quantitative pathologic technique in prognostic identification of breast carcinoma with negative lymph node].

Objective: To study the prognostic identification of lymph node negative breast carcinoma by quantitative pathologic technique.

Methods: Several morphometrical parameters, DNA content of cell nuclei were detected by means of a quantitative pathologic technique on 102 patients with lymph node negative invasive breast duct carcinoma. The effects of potential prognostic factors of lymph node negative breast cancer patients were assessed by Cox's proportional hazards regression model.

Results: DNA index, minimal diameter of nuclei, area of nuclei, maximal diameter of nuclei, and the perimeter of nuclei are important factors to influence the prognosis.

Conclusion: Quantitative pathologic technique combined with valid statistical methods, as an objective means of assessing prognosis, may reliably improve the outcome in lymph node negative breast cancer.