A prognostic index based on the mean nuclear area of breast cancer cells and efferent vascular invasion in the axillary nodes.

Statistical evaluation of the prognostic impact of different variants of the mean nuclear area (MNA) of tumour cells in breast carcinoma was used to find an optimal combination for use in conjunction with the absence/presence of tumour cells in the efferent vessels of the axillary nodes (EVI). This model gives an estimate of the relative prognostic impact of the different variables and their reliability. Combination of EVI with MNA of the primary tumour gave the optimal prediction of disease outcome; 81 per cent correct prediction before 60 months, falling to 73 per cent by 98 months after the operation.