<prompt> A patient is diagnosed with carcinoma of the breast. The most important prognostic factor in the treatment of this disease isAge at diagnosisSize of tumorAxillary metastasesEstrogen receptors on the tumor  <response>: Recognition of the high risk associated with axillary metastases for early death and poor 5-year survival has led to the use of postsurgical adjuvant chemotherapy in these patients. Patients who have estrogen- or progesterone-receptive tumors i.e., receptor present or receptor-positive are particular candidates for this adjuvant therapy, as 60 of estrogen-positive tumors will respond to hormonal therapy. Age and size of the tumor are certainly factors of importance, but they are secondary to the presence or absence of axillary metastases. 