Researchers have identified genetic markers on several chromosomes in the tissue surrounding tumor cells that are associated with breast cancer tumor grade and the presence of lymph node metastases, according to a study in the May 16 issue of JAMA.A high degree of variability is observed in both biological behavior and clinical outcome in sporadic breast cancer, and this diversity may increase the difficulty in determining the appropriate treatment for a patient, according to background information in the article. “It has been recognized for decades that identical chemotherapeutic regimens for similar stage and grade in patients with, for example, breast cancer (or virtually any malignancy) respond differently. The complexities of genetic alterations in breast cancer may provide a primary basis for these consequent (secondary) clinicopathological features, an idea supported by prior positive correlations between certain breast cancer genotype and phenotype [visible characteristics of an organism].”>>> Discuss This Story
