Prognostic value of lymph node ratio (LNR) and log odds of positive lymph nodes (LODDS) in patients with locally advanced triple-negative breast cancer: An oncological-high flow center experience

Background: This study aims to investigate the prognostic value of lymph node ratio (LNR) and log odds of positive lymph nodes (LODDS) in patients with locally advanced, nonmetastatic (Stage II–III) triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Methods: In this observational, monocenter, retrospective study, patients who underwent breast surgery for locally advanced TNBC were analyzed. Clinical-pathological features of interest were collected. The log-rank statistics method and the Cox proportional hazard analysis were used to identify prognostic factors. Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) curves were evaluated by the Kaplan–Meier method, using the log-rank test to compare survival between groups. Results: Between 2011 and 2016, 82 patients were included in the study. The median follow-up was 33 months. Cox’s univariate analysis showed that T stage, positive lymph nodes, LODDS, and LNR were statistically significant prognostic factors for DFS ( P < 0.05). In the Multivariate Cox analysis, LNR was the only independent prognostic factor for DFS ( P < 0.0001). Conclusions: LNR and LODDS can provide additional prognostic value for DFS and OS in locally advanced TNBC. Moreover, LNR had a better prognostic value compared with LODDS. These data should be considered in the overall care strategy of these patients, especially in the decisions on possible adjuvant therapy.