Lymph node metastases in breast cancer: Investigating associations with tumor characteristics, molecular subtypes and polygenic risk score using a continuous growth model

We investigate the association between rate of breast cancer lymph node spread and grade, estrogen receptor (ER) status, progesteron decision tree derived PAM50 molecular subtype a polygenic risk score (PRS), using data on 10 950 women included from two different sources. Lymph was analyzed novel continuous tumor progression model that adjusts for volume in biologically motivated way incorporates covariates interest. Grades 2 3 tumors, respectively, were associated with 1.63 2.17 times faster rates than Grade 1 tumors (P < 10?16). ER/PR negative 1.25/1.19 positive cancer, respectively = .0011 .0012). Among subtypes luminal A, B, Her2-enriched basal-like, 1.53 A .00072). PRS not spread. Continuous growth models are useful quantifying associations characteristics. These may be building realistic microsimulation studies used to design individualized screening programs.