Vol 4, No 5 (2008)
Research paper
Published online: 2008-10-10
Use of Markov's model for prognosis evaluation after radical surgical treatment of breast cancer
Onkol. Prak. Klin 2008;4(5):192-197.
Abstract
Radical treatment of breast cancer does not protect patients from local recurrence and/or metastasis. For
this reason regular follow-up after completed radical treatment seems to be an effective form of recurrence
detection at the early, curable phase. This analysis shows use of Markov model for probability calculation
with respect to incidence of local recurrence and metastasis and survival during 5-year follow-up. Based
on Markov`s model it was shown that regularity of follow-up after operation due to breast cancer does not
decrease the risk of failure occurence neither does it contribute to patient`s life prolongation. Furthermore,
detection of failure - during follow-up after operation due to breast cancer - does not increase the
chance of its cure. Therefore standard follow-up of asymptomatic patients after radical treatment of breast
cancer can be reduced to history and physical examination.
Keywords: breast cancerMarkov's modelfollow-up examination