Association of Ki-67 Proliferation Index with Axillary Lymph Node Metastasis in Early Breast Cancer: A Retrospective Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51253/pafmj.v76iSUPPL-7.13830Keywords:
Axillary Lymph Node Metastasis, Breast Carcinoma, Early Stage Disease, Tumor Proliferation Marker, Ki-67Abstract
Objective: To determine frequency of axillary lymph node involvement and its association with Ki67 in early-stage breast cancer patients.
Study design: Retrospective Chart Review.
Place and Duration of Study: Breast Surgery Department at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, Lahore, Pakistan, from Mar to Aug 2025.
Methodology: Data were retrospectively reviewed for 165 patients diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer between January 2020 and June 2022. Records were reviewed for cases with histologically confirmed early breast cancer, patients undergoing axillary staging, and documented Ki-67 index. The retrieved data included patients’ age at diagnosis, clinical and pathological staging, Ki-67 expression, Estrogen (ER), Progesterone (PR) and HER2 status.
Results: A total of 165 cases were reviewed. Mean age was 43.2±7.4 years. Axillary lymph node involvement was seen in 38.8% of patients. Median value of Ki67 was 25 (IQR=15-50). The Ki67 range was 2-90. Nearly three-quarters of patients had Ki67 ≥14% (75.8%). Frequency of high Ki67 expression was higher among patients with axillary metastasis as compared to those not having axillary metastasis, but it failed to achieve statistical significance (79.7% versus 73.3%, p=0.348).
Conclusion: The high expression of Ki67 (≥14%) was common in early-stage breast cancer patients. Frequency of axillary lymph node involvement was lower than higher Ki67% expression. Moreover, Ki67% was not found to be associated with axillary lymph node involvement in early-stage breast cancer patients.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Sana Ejaz, Muhammad Saulat Naeem, Zain Tayyab, Nida Saleem, Amina Khan
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