11例乳腺癌术后肝转移接受肝切除术患者的长期生存分析

【摘要】〓目的〓评估乳腺癌患者术后肝转移再次接受肝转移癌切除术的价值。方法〓回顾性分析2001年3月至2009年7月于台山市人民医院接受乳腺癌根治术患者1357人,其中术后出现肝脏转移者59人,分为两组:接受肝切除患者为11人(A组);出现肝转移但仅行保守治疗患者48例(B组);对两组患者的资料进行生存分析。结果〓11名乳腺癌复发患者接受再次肝切除的中位生存时间为23.4月,平均生存时间长于未接受肝切除组(14.5月),两组间有明显差异(P<0.05。结论〓本研究提示肝切除术能够延长肝脏复发性乳腺癌患者的生存期,特别是对单纯肝脏复发的患者,肝切除术是值得推荐的治疗方式。     

Stereotactic radiotherapy in metastatic breast cancer

The treatment of metastatic breast cancer is largely focused on systemic therapy. However, over the past decades, there has been growing interest in the use of metastasis-directed therapy in selected cases presenting with an oligometastatic phenotype, i.e. low disease burden with a more indolent biology. Identification of the oligometastatic breast cancer population has, so far, proven elusive. Stereotactic radiotherapy offers an effective, non-invasive approach to ablate metastatic disease both in the brain and in extra-cranial settings. The advent of advanced imaging techniques for target definition, along with the ability to achieve highly conformal dose deposition with steep dose fall-off, enable safe implementation of extreme hypofractionated and single fraction regimens with ablative intent. There is growing evidence that radiation-based treatments are more cost-effective when compared to other ablative modalities. This article provides preliminary evidence that metastasis-direct ablation, with advanced radiotherapy techniques, may play an important role in the management of metastatic breast cancer patients, potentially improving clinical outcomes with minimal toxicity. However, prospective randomized controlled trials are needed to further the understanding of the interaction between systemic therapy and ablative irradiation. Additionally, research in genomic and molecular profiling is needed to characterize metastatic breast cancer patients who will most likely benefit from such combined treatment approaches.     

The impact of lobular and ductal breast cancer histology on the metastatic behavior and long term survival of breast cancer patients

The aim of the study was to evaluate the long-term survival of patients with invasive lobular carcinomas (ILC) and invasive ductal carcinomas (IDC) and the metastatic behavior of these two disease entities. Originally, all consecutive patients with pure lobular invasive breast cancers diagnosed between 1990 and 1999 in the area served by the Tampere University Hospital and their matched IDC controls were identified and re-evaluated histopathologically in this follow-up study, resulting in a total of 243 ILCs and 243 IDCs. Data on recurrences and survival were collected until the end of year 2009. Statistical analyses including Kaplan–Meier method, log-rank test, Fisher's exact test and Cox regression analysis were performed with the PASW Statistics 18.0 computer program. P-values of <0.05 were considered statistically significant.Within the mean follow-up time of 10.04 years, locoregional recurrences were significantly more common among the ILCs than IDCs (35 vs. 20, p = 0.04), but no differences in the total number of distant recurrences or bilaterality were observed. However, when the first distant recurrence sites were studied, ILC patients had significantly less lung metastases (p = 0.04), but more skin metastases (p = 0.04). During the whole follow-up period IDCs metastasized significantly more frequently to the lungs (p = 0.002), whereas gastrointestinal metastases were more common among ILCs (p = 0.02). Although the known favorable prognostic factors (hormone receptor positivity, low grade, low s-phase) were more common for the ILCs, the disease-free survival, the overall survival and the survival after recurrence did not differ between the groups. However, the Cox-regression model showed significantly worse survival for ILCs after adjusting for age, TNM-status, grade and ER-positivity (p = 0.004).In conclusion, ILC and IDC differ in respect for visceral metastases. Despite the known favorable prognostic factors and originally favorable survival, patients with lobular histology appear to have a worse survival in the multivariate analysis after a prolonged follow-up.     

Primary tumor location impacts breast cancer survival

BACKGROUND: The prognostic significance of tumor location in breast cancer remains unclear. To better understand this relationship, we evaluated the Department of Defense tumor registry. METHODS: Patients with infiltrating ductal adenocarcinoma or lobular carcinoma over a 10-year period were identified and analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 13,984 tumors, 7,871 (58%) originated from the upper-outer quadrant or axillary tail, whereas the remainder were found at the nipple complex (9%), upper-inner quadrant (14%), lower-inner quadrant (9%), and lower-outer quadrant (10%). Univariate analysis of cancer-specific survival revealed a significant difference based on location of the primary breast cancer. Upper-outer quadrant lesions were associated with an independent contribution toward a survival benefit. CONCLUSIONS: Upper-outer quadrant breast cancers have a more favorable survival advantage when compared with tumors in other locations. Factors that negatively impacted survival included high-grade tumors, advanced stage, and race.     

Smoking and survival of breast cancer patients: A meta-analysis of cohort studies

ObjectivesPublished articles reported controversial results about the association of breast cancer survival with smoking. Hence, a meta-analysis was performed to investigate this association.MethodsA comprehensive search was performed to identify relevant cohort studies (up to May 31st, 2016). In the current smoking and former smoking v. never smoking analyses, the fixed- or random-effect model was selected based on the heterogeneity test among studies. And the heterogeneity was measured using Q test and I² statistic. Publication bias was estimated using Egger's regression asymmetry test.ResultsThirteen articles with 44 studies were included. Compared with never smokers, current smokers have a higher breast cancer-specific mortality and all-cause mortality, with pooled hazard ratio (HR) (HR = 1.30 95%CI: 1.16–1.45; I² = 52.4%) and (HR = 1.59, 95%CI: 1.41–1.78; I² = 87.1%), respectively. While former smokers tend to have a moderately increased all-cause mortality (HR = 1.10, 95%CI: 1.07–1.12; I² = 0.0%), but there was no significant association between former smoking and breast cancer-specific mortality (HR = 0.95, 95%CI: 0.90–1.02; I² = 0.0%).ConclusionThe present evidence indicates that current smoking leads to higher breast cancer-specific mortality and all-cause mortality than never smoking in breast cancer patients. However former smoking just causes a mild increase in all-cause morality, but not breast cancer-specific mortality.     

Importance of race on breast cancer survival

Background: Breast cancer survival has been shown to be significantly less among black women than white women. The reason for this difference in survival is unclear. Methods: Data were obtained retrospectively on 439 women seen between 1985 and 1993 based on a detailed chart audit. The impact of race and several known prognostic factors on overall survival, time to relapse, and survival after relapse were studied. Results: Black women with breast cancer were found to have a greater risk of recurrence, shorter overall survival, and shorter survival after relapse than did white women. Black patients were found to be younger and have higher stage of disease and lower hormone receptor levels than were white patients. After adjustment for menopausal status and disease stage, a significant independent effect of race was observed on overall survival but not risk of recurrence. In multivariate analysis, a significant interaction was observed between race and age in some models. Survival after recurrence of disease was lower among black than white women after adjustment for menopausal status and estrogen receptor level. Conclusion: Black women experience shorter survival times than do white women, including a shorter survival time after disease recurrence. Breast cancer in black women is associated with younger age, higher stage at presentation, and low hormone receptor levels. After adjustment for known prognostic factors, race remains a significant independent predictor of breast cancer survival. Presented at the 32nd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, Philadelphia, 1996.     

Radiotherapy omission after breast-conserving surgery is associated with reduced breast cancer-specific survival in elderly women with breast cancer

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of radiotherapy (RT) omission on survival in older breast cancer patients treated with breast-conserving surgery. METHODS: Data were analyzed for 4836 women aged 50 to 89 with T1-T2, N0-N1, M0 breast cancer. Tumor and treatment factors, relapse rates, and overall survival (OS) and breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) were compared between women treated with and without RT in 3 age categories: 50 to 64 (n = 2398), 65 to 74 (n = 1665), and > or = 75 years (n = 773). RESULTS: Median follow-up was 7.5 years. Rates of RT omission significantly increased with advancing age (7%, 9%, and 26% in age 50-64, 65-74, and > or = 75 years respectively, P < .0001). RT omission was associated with significantly reduced local control, BCSS, and OS. Despite similar tumor characteristics and higher rates of systemic therapy use, women aged > or = 75 years were observed to have lower 5-year OS and BCSS when RT was omitted. CONCLUSION: These findings support the hypothesis that inadequate local therapy is associated with reduced survival in elderly women treated with breast-conserving therapy.     

Association between extent of axillary lymph node dissection and survival in patients with stage I breast cancer

Background: The role of axillary lymph node dissection for stage I (T1N0) breast cancer remains controversial because patients can receive adjuvant chemotherapy regardless of their nodal status and because its therapeutic benefit is in question. The purpose of this study was to determine whether extent of axillary dissection in patients with T1N0 disease is associated with survival. Methods: Data from 464 patients with T1N0 breast cancer who underwent axillary dissection from 1973 to 1994 were examined retrospectively. Kaplan-Meier estimates of overall survival, disease-free survival, and recurrence were calculated for patients according to the number of lymph nodes removed (<10 or ⩾10; <15 or ⩾15), and survival curves compared using the Wilcoxon-Gehan statistic. Cox proportional hazards regression modelling was used to adjust for confounding prognostic variables. Results: Median follow-up time was 6.4 years. Patient groups were similar in age, menopausal status, tumor size, hormonal receptor status, type of surgery, and adjuvant therapy. There was a statistically significant improvement in disease-free survival in the ⩾10 versus <10 nodal groups (P<.01). Five-year estimates of survival were 75.7% and 86.2% for <10 nodes and ⩾10 nodes, respectively; 10-year estimates were 66.1% and 74.3%. There also was a notable improvement in the survival comparison of patients with <15 versus ⩾15 nodes (P⩽.05). These findings were confirmed in the multivariate analysis. Conclusions: These results may reflect a potential for misclassification of tumor stage among patients who had fewer nodes removed. The data, however, suggest that in patients with Stage I breast cancer, improved survival is associated with a more complete axillary lymph node dissection. Presented at the 50th Annual Cancer Symposium of The Society of Surgical Oncology, Chicago, Illinois, March 20–23, 1997.     

The effects of hormone replacement therapy on postmenopausal breast cancer biology and survival

Background

The goal of this study was to compare the characteristics of breast cancers and survival rates in HRT users versus nonusers.

Methods

Data were analyzed for 1055 patients ≥50 years of age who had definitive therapy for breast cancer from 1994 through 2002.

Results

There were 471 (45%) HRT users. The median age at diagnosis was 61.0 years for HRT users and 68.0 years for HRT nonusers (P < .001). HRT users more often had tumors that were <1 cm (P = .007), node negative (P = .033), and grade I (P = .016). HRT users had a decreased risk of death versus nonusers (hazard ratio = .438, 95% confidence limit = .263 to .729, P = .002).

Conclusions

HRT users developed breast cancer at a younger age than nonusers; HRT use was associated with the development of biologically more favorable cancers than those that developed in nonusers; and overall and disease-free survival rates were higher in HRT users than nonusers.     

Locoregional therapy in de novo metastatic breast cancer: Systemic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundLocoregional therapy (LRT) in de novo metastatic disease is controversial with inconsistent results from randomized control trials (RCTs).MethodsRCTs comparing LRT and systemic therapy to standard therapy alone in de novo metastatic breast cancer were identified. Hazard ratios (HRs) and their associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed and pooled in a meta-analysis using generic inverse variance. Overall survival (OS) and time to locoregional progression data were extracted for the intention to treat (ITT) population. Data on OS for pre-specified subgroups defined by tumor subtype and by site of metastases were also extracted.ResultsAnalyses included 4 trials comprising 970 patients. LRT included standard surgery to the primary breast tumor in all studies, and adjuvant radiation per standard of care was required in 3 studies. Compared to standard treatment, LRT was not associated with improved OS in the ITT population (HR 0.97, 95% CI 0.72–1.29, p = 0.81). However, LRT was associated with improved time to locoregional progression (HR 0.36, 95% CI 0.14–0.95, p = 0.04). LRT was not associated with improved OS in any tumor subtypes, including hormone receptor positive (HR 0.96, 95% CI 0.65–1.43), triple negative (HR 1.4, 95% CI 0.50–3.91) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive disease (HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.68–1.28). Additionally, LRT did not improve OS in bone only disease (HR 0.97, 95% CI 0.58–1.62) and in visceral disease (HR = 1.02, 95% CI 0.77–1.35). Our critical appraisal has identified some methodological problems in the design and conduct of the studies included that could affect the meta-analysis result.ConclusionsLRT in de novo metastatic breast cancer is not associated with improved OS. Results are consistent among different breast cancer subgroups. However, this conclusion should be interpreted with caution in view of the limitations identified in meta-analysis.     

The impact of organized breast assessment on survival by stage for screened women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer

PurposeSince 1998, the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) has offered organized assessment through Breast Assessment Centres (BAC). This study compares survival between screened women diagnosed with breast cancer who have undergone assessment through a BAC and usual care (UC).MethodsA retrospective design identified two concurrent cohorts of women aged 50 to 69 within the OBSP diagnosed with screen-detected invasive breast cancer at a BAC (n = 2010) and UC (n = 1844) between 2002 and 2010 and followed until 2016. Demographic and assessment characteristics were obtained from the OBSP. Abstraction of medical charts provided prognostic and treatment data. Death data were assessed from the Registered Person's Database and the Ontario Registrar General All-Cause Mortality File. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models compared overall survival by assessment type (BAC/UC), stratified by stage.ResultsThere were 505 deaths during the study (BAC = 239; UC = 266). Among women with stage I screen-detected breast cancer, those diagnosed through a BAC had 31% reduced risk of all-cause mortality (HR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.53–0.90) compared to UC. Diagnosis within 7 weeks of an abnormal mammogram reduced the hazard of death from all causes by 34% among all women with stage I breast cancers (HR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.47–0.91), and was more likely in BAC (79.7%) than UC (66.9%).ConclusionThe significant improvement in overall survival for women with stage I screen-detected invasive breast cancer assessed through BACs further supports the recommendation that women with abnormal mammograms should be managed through organized assessment.     

Bariatric surgery in patients with breast and endometrial cancer in California: population-based prevalence and survival

BackgroundThe number of bariatric surgeries performed in the United States has increased substantially since the 1990’s. However, the prevalence and prognostic impact of bariatric surgery, or weight loss surgery (WLS), among patients with cancer are not known.ObjectivesWe investigated the population-based prevalence of WLS in women with breast or endometrial cancer and conducted exploratory analysis to examine whether postdiagnosis WLS is associated with survival.SettingAdministrative statewide database.MethodsWLS records for women with nonmetastasized breast (n = 395,146) or endometrial (n = 69,859) cancer were identified from the 1991–2014 California Cancer Registry data linked with the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development database. Characteristics of the patients were examined according to history of WLS. Using body mass index data available since 2011, a retrospective cohort of patients with breast or endometrial cancer and obesity (n = 12,540) was established and followed until 2017 (5% lost to follow-up). Multivariable cause-specific Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the associations between postdiagnostic WLS and time to death.ResultsWLS records were identified for 2844 (.7%) patients with breast cancer and 1140 (1.6%) patients with endometrial cancer; about half of the surgeries were performed after cancer diagnosis. Postdiagnosis WLS was performed in ～1% of patients with obesity and was associated with a decreased hazard for death (cause-specific hazard ratio = .37; 95% confidence interval = .014–.99; P = .049), adjusting for age, stage, co-morbidity, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.ConclusionAbout 2000 patients with breast or endometrial cancer in California underwent post-diagnosis WLS between 1991 and 2014. Our data support survival benefits of WLS after breast and endometrial cancer diagnosis.     

Impact of age at diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer on overall survival in the real-life ESME metastatic breast cancer cohort

BackgroundYoung age is a poor prognostic factor in early stage breast cancer (BC) but its value is less established in metastatic BC (MBC). We evaluated the impact of age at MBC diagnosis on overall survival (OS) across three age groups (<40, 40 to 60 and > 60 years(y)).MethodsESME MBC database is a national cohort, collecting retrospective data from 18 participating French cancer centers between January 01, 2008 and December 31, 2014.ResultsAmong 14 403 women included, 1077 (7.5%), 6436 (44.7%) and 6890 (47.8%) pts were <40, 40–60 and > 60 y respectively. Pts <40 had significantly more aggressive presentations than other age groups: more frequent HER2+ (25.7 vs 15.3% in >60y) and triple negative subtypes (27.4 vs 14.6% in >60y), and more frequent visceral involvement (36.3 vs 29.8% in >60y). At a median follow-up of 48 months, median OS differed across age groups: 38.8, 38.4 and 35.6 months for pts <40, 40–60 and > 60y, respectively (p < 0.0001). Compared to pts <40y, older pts had a statistically significant higher risk of death (all causes of death included), although of limited clinical value (HR = 1.1, IC 95%:1.01–1.20). There was a significant trend for better OS in pts <40y with HER2+ and luminal diseases. A possible explanation is a greater use of anti-Her2 therapies as first-line treatments: 86.6, 81.9 and 74.9% for pts <40, 40–60 and > 60y, respectively (p < 0.0001).ConclusionAlthough young age seems associated with more aggressive presentations at diagnosis of MBC, it has no deleterious effect on OS in this large series.     

Effects of race and socioeconomic status on survival of 1,332 black, hispanic, and white women with breast cancer

Background: A survival disadvantage for black women with brest cancer, which persists after controlling for stage of the disease, has been reported. This study investigates the effects of race and socioeconomic status (SES) on breast cancer survival after controlling for age, stage, histology, and type of treatment. Methods: Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyze the interaction between race and SES in predicting survival in a sample of 163 black, 205 Hispanic, and 964 white women with breast cancer treated at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center (1987–1991). Results: The results of univariate and multivariate analyses indicate that race was not a significant predictor of survival after adjusting for SES and other confounding factors such as demographic and disease characteristics. SES remained a significant predictor of survival after all adjustments were made. There was no evidence of differences in type of treatment by race or SES if adjustments were made for stage. Conclusions: These results suggest that institutional factors, such as access to treatment, do not explain survival differences by race or SES. Other factors associated with low SES, such as life-style and behavior, may affect survival.     

Nomogram for predicting overall survival in patients with triple-negative apocrine breast cancer: Surveillance,epidemiology, and end results-based analysis

PurposeTriple-negative apocrine carcinoma (TNAC) is a sort of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) that is rare and prognosis of these patients is unclear. The present study constructed an effective nomogram to assist in predicting TNAC patients overall survival (OS).MethodsA total of 373 TNAC patients from the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results (SEER) got extracted from 2010 to 2016 and were divided into training (n = 261) and external validation (n = 112) groups (split ratio, 7:3) randomly. A Cox regression model was utilized to creating a nomogram according to the risk factors affecting prognosis. The predictive capability of the nomogram was estimated with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA).ResultsMultivariate Cox regression analysis revealed age, surgery, chemotherapy, stage, and first malignant primary as independent predictors of OS. A prediction model was constructed and virtualized using the nomogram. The time-dependent area under the curve (AUC) showed satisfactory discrimination of the nomogram. Good consistency was shown on the calibration curves in OS between actual observations and the nomogram prediction. What's more, DCA showed that the nomogram had incredible clinical utility. Through separating the patients into groups of low and high risk group that connects with the risk system that shows a huge difference between the low-risk and high risk OS (P < 0.001).ConclusionTo predict the OS in TNAC patients, the nomogram utilizing the risk stratification system that is corresponding. These tools may help to evaluate patient prognosis and guide treatment decisions.     

Treatment and survival outcomes in older women with primary breast cancer: A retrospective propensity score-matched analysis

PurposeChanges in biological features and functional status make management decisions in older women with primary breast cancer complicated. We aimed to provide an overview of the clinicopathological characteristics and survival outcomes of older breast cancer patients based on the current treatment strategies.MethodsFemale patients diagnosed with primary invasive breast cancer at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Centre from 2008 to 2016 were included. Patients were divided into a younger group (<65 years) and older group (≥65 years). Propensity score matching was utilised to generate balanced cohorts.ResultsA total of 13,707 patients met the study criteria. Compared with younger patients, older patients had a higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (p < 0.001), less lymph node metastasis (p = 0.009), more advanced tumour stage (p = 0.038), and a larger proportion of estrogen receptor-positive (p < 0.001) and epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (p < 0.001) tumours. Older patients were likely to receive mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection in addition to a lower proportion of adjuvant chemotherapy. Adjuvant chemotherapy (HR [hazard ratio] 0.69, p = 0.039) was independently correlated with better overall survival in the older patients. This survival benefit (HR 0.58, p = 0.041) was confirmed in matched cohorts. Among the older patients with larger tumours (HR 0.48, p = 0.038) and more lymph node involvement (HR 0.44, p = 0.040), adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with a significant survival benefit.ConclusionOlder breast cancer patients showed less aggressive biological characteristics, intensive surgical and moderate medical preferences. The addition of adjuvant chemotherapy should be considered for older patients, especially for patients with large tumours and more lymph node involvement.     

Prognostic role of caveolin in breast cancer: A meta-analysis

IntroductionRecent studies have shown that Caveolin play a potential role as a prognostic biomarker of cancers. The aim of the present study was to clarify whether caveolin could be a prognostic factor for patients with breast cancer.Materials and methodsAll eligible studies were identified using Medline and EMBASE system. The patients' clinical characteristics and survival outcome were extracted. The meta-analysis was performed to clarify the prognostic role of caveolin and the correlation between the caveolin expression and clinical characteristics.ResultsAfter full text review, 19 articles were identified as eligible articles. We found that negative stromal Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) expression could predict the poor prognosis of breast cancer. The combined HR (95% CI) for OS was 4.12[2.05, 8.28], while the combined HR (95% CI) for DFS/PFS was 3.69[2.57, 5.31]. The combined HR (95% CI) of tumor epithelial Cav-1 for OS was 0.78[0.54, 1.12], and the combined HR (95% CI) for DFS/PFS was 1.32[0.76, 2.29]. The combined HR (95% CI) of tumor epithelial Cav-2 for CSS was 2.04[0.91, 4.56]. Odds ratios (ORs) showed that the stromal Cav-1 expression was associated with the AJCC stage, T status, lymph metastasis, distant metastasis, and histological grade (G grade) and many biomarkers. We found ORs of Cav-1 and Cav-2 expression in tumor epithelial cells varied in clinical characteristics and biomarkers.ConclusionOur results indicated that negative expression of stromal Cav-1 was associated with poor prognosis of breast cancer, while the detection of Cav-1 and Cav-2 in tumor epithelial cells was not.     

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目的 进一步评价保留乳头改良根治术治疗Ⅰ、Ⅱ期乳腺癌的疗效。方法 1995年3月至2002年10月共施行该手术38例，其中I期22例，Ⅱ期16例，35例符合作者制订的手术适应证，3例略超出手术适应证。结果38例病人中，术后发生乳头表皮部分坏死1例，1个月后乳头皮肤痂下愈合；皮下积液3例，经穿刺抽液治愈；34例切口甲级愈合，顺利出院。全部病例乳头基底部切线病理检查均无癌浸润。术后38例全部随访，最长随访时间93个月，中位随访时间59个月。1例肿瘤直径为4cm者术后49个月发生乳头基底部复发，行乳头乳晕复合体切除后随访26个月无瘤生存。其余37例病人均无局部复发和远处转移。结论 保留乳头改良根治术可作为Ⅰ、Ⅱ期乳腺癌手术治疗的选择术式。     

The impact of nodal isolated tumor cells on survival of breast cancer patients

BACKGROUND: Isolated tumor cells (ITCs), often detectable only with immunohistochemical techniques, have an unknown significance in the prognosis of breast cancer. The American Joint Committee on Cancer guidelines classify such patients as N0 (immunohistochemistry +), staging them with node-negative patients. We sought to further elucidate the impact of ITCs on survival. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of all women at our institution with breast cancer from 1996 to 2005. Of 514 patients, 16 had isolated tumor cells detected only with immunohistochemical staining. Survival then was compared with historical survival rates for women with node-free disease. RESULTS: The 16 women with N0 (i+) disease had stage I or II disease. There was no documented recurrence among these women, with an average follow-up period of 2.5 years. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that ITCs detected in lymph nodes do not adversely impact survival or disease-free survival compared with women with node-negative disease. Larger studies will be required to confirm these findings.