The Nottingham prognostic index (NPI) is used to determine prognosis following surgery for

breast cancer Breast cancer is a cancer that develops from breast tissue. Signs of breast cancer may include a Breast lump, lump in the breast, a change in breast shape, dimpling of the skin, Milk-rejection sign, milk rejection, fluid coming from the nipp ...

. Its value is calculated using three

pathological Pathology is the study of disease. The word ''pathology'' also refers to the study of disease in general, incorporating a wide range of biology research fields and medical practices. However, when used in the context of modern medical treatme ...

criteria: the size of the

tumour A neoplasm () is a type of abnormal and excessive growth of tissue (biology), tissue. The process that occurs to form or produce a neoplasm is called neoplasia. The growth of a neoplasm is uncoordinated with that of the normal surrounding tiss ...

; the number of involved

lymph node A lymph node, or lymph gland, is a kidney-shaped organ of the lymphatic system and the adaptive immune system. A large number of lymph nodes are linked throughout the body by the lymphatic vessels. They are major sites of lymphocytes that includ ...

s; and the grade of the

. It is calculated to select patients for adjuvant treatment.

Calculation

The index is calculated using the formula: :NPI = .2 x S+ N + G Where: * S is the size of the index lesion in centimetres * N is the node status: 0 nodes = 1, 1-3 nodes = 2, >3 nodes = 3 * G is the grade of tumour: Grade I =1, Grade II =2, Grade III =3

Interpretation

References

External links

Online calculator based on Todd et al, 1987 study

The Nottingham Prognostic Index Biomedical Informatics Research Group
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Nottingham prognostic index Ganfyd
} Breast cancer Diagnostic obstetrics and gynaecology Health in Nottinghamshire Science and technology in Nottinghamshire University of Nottingham