ObjectiveTo evaluate the prognostic significance of metastatic lymph nodes ratio (MLNR) in patients with node-positive breast cancer. MethodsThe clinical data of 94 patients with nodepositive breast cancer underwent modified radical mastectomy were retrospectively analyzed. The survival rate and prognosis factors of patients with complete follow-up data were assessed by log-rank test and multivariate regression analysis. Results The survival time of 94 patients ranged from 12-75 months, with median 64 months. The 5-year overall survival rate was 72.34% (68/94). The total MLNR was 0.31 (486/1 553). Univariate analysis demonstrated that the survival was influenced significantly by tumor size, number of lymph node metastasis, MLNR, ER status, and radiotherapy or not (Plt;0.05), but not by patient’s age, menopause or not, PR status, endocrine therapy or not, and histological type (Pgt;0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that MLNR (OR=2.565, 95%CI=1.043-6.309， P=0.040) and tumor size (OR=2.220, 95%CI=1.045-4.716， P=0.038) were independent prognostic factors for the patients with node-positive breast cancer. Conclusion MLNR is a major independent prognostic factor for the patients with node-positive breast cancer, which is more accurate than the number of metastatic lymph nodes in predicting the survival of patients with node-positive breast cancer.
