[S-phase fraction and proportion of cells with high DNA content as prognostic factors of lymph node negative breast cancer].

Breast cancer is the most frequent female cancer in Western Europe. Roughly half of the patients have no axillary lymph node involvement at time of operation. In this group of patients adjuvant treatment should only be undertaken in the subgroup with a high risk of recurrence. Suitable significant prognostic parameters are needed to identify patients at risk. S-phase fraction and the percentage of cells with a high DNA content are two prognostic factors that are determined by measuring total nuclear DNA and cell cycle analysis. Both were analyzed in large studies and have shown their impact on prognosis. However, divergent results underline the necessity for larger studies with a longer follow-up.