Importantly, since multivariate analyses suggest that either expression level of MACC1 or lymph node status is an independent prognostic parameter for RFS, quantification of MACC1 expression may represent a useful approach, in addition to lymph node status, to evaluating the risk of recurrence, aside from its identified value for predicting overall survival of breast cancer patients by this study. The gene discussed is MACC1; the disease is breast cancer.