Three hundred and forty-six patients who underwent surgical treatment for primary breast cancer at the Prince of Wales Hospital were studied retrospectively. Their mean age was 52.3 years and 38.6% were younger than 45 years. With a median follow up interval of 42.3 months, the five-year survival rates were: stage I, 100%, stage II, 78.8%, and stage III, 67.6%. The overall five-year survival for all stages was 84.2%. Univariate analysis showed that T stage, N stage, and histologically-positive lymph node status were significant factors affecting survival and disease-free survival (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that a histologically-positive lymph node status was associated significantly with lower survival probability (P<<0.01) and lower disease-free survival probability (P<<0.01). The most important prognostic factor for Chinese patients is the histological status of their axillary lymph nodes.