Preoperative plasma fibrinogen level is a risk factor for the long-term survival of postmenopausal women after surgery for breast cancer

Background

Studies have indicated an association between fibrinogen levels and the prognosis of breast cancer patients. However, fibrinogen levels are notably susceptible to fluctuations due to the menstrual cycle. This study explored the relationship between preoperative plasma fibrinogen levels and the prognosis of postmenopausal breast cancer women after surgery.

Method

855 patients with postmenopausal breast cancer were monitored for 10 years. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to perform univariate and multivariate analyses to identify factors that are of substantial prognostic value.

Results

The median follow-up was 77 months (51–105 months), and the maximum 142 months. Over the follow-up period, 65 deaths (7.6 %) were recorded. Multivariate Cox regression results show that preoperative plasma fibrinogen level (hazard ratio [HR] =1.615, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.233–2.115) and age (HR = 1.626, 95%CI: 1.250–2.116) were independent risk factors for 10-year overall survival after surgery in postmenopausal breast cancer patients, while endocrine therapy (HR = 0.414, 95%CI: 0.202–0.846) was an independent protective factor. Multivariate Cox regression results also show preoperative plasma fibrinogen level was an independent risk factor for 10-year disease-free survival (HR = 1.398, 95 % CI: 1.137–1.719) and 10-year distant metastasis-free survival (HR = 1.436, 95%CI: 1.153–1.787).

Conclusion

Elevated pretreatment plasma fibrinogen levels are associated with a poorer long-term prognosis in postmenopausal breast cancer patients following surgical treatment.