Fig. 5
All causes (a and c) and BCa-specific mortality (b and d) of study patients according to PN stromal expression as a function of epithelial PN expression. Epithelial PN expression was analysed using the 60th percentile of immune stained cells, corresponding to 1 % as an arbitrary cut-off. Stromal PN expression was analysed using the median percentage of immune stained cells, corresponding to 90 % as an arbitrary cut-off. All causes and BCa-specific mortality comparisons were adjusted by age, menopausal status, tumour size, nodal status, and adjuvant systemic therapy: see text for further explanations. Negative: 0 % of stained cells; positive: at least 1 % of stained cells; low: less than 90 % of stained cells; high: more or equal 90 % of stained cells. HR: hazard ratio, 95 % CI: 95 % confidence interval