Determining of metastatic lymph node ratio in patients who underwent D2 dissection for gastric cancer

The purpose of this study was to determine outcome of the ratio of metastatic lymph nodes to the total number of dissected lymph nodes (MLR) in patients with gastric cancer. We retrospectively analyzed 111 patients who underwent D₂ lymph node dissection. The prognostic factors including UICC/AJCC TNM classification and MLR were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analysis. The MLR was significantly higher in patients with a larger tumor, lymphatic vessel invasion, blood vessel invasion and perineural invasion, and advanced stage. Moreover, the MLR was significantly associated with the depth of invasion and the number of lymph node metastasis. The univariate analysis revealed for overall survival (OS) that stage of disease, lymphatic vessel invasion, blood vessel invasion, perineural invasion, lymph node metastasis (UICC/AJCC pN stage) and MLR were relevant prognostic indicators. Furthermore, both UICC/AJCC pN stage and MLR were detected as prognostic factor by multivariate analysis, as was perineural invasion. Our results indicated that MLR and UICC/AJCC pN staging system were important prognostic factors for OS of patients with D₂ lymph node dissection in gastric cancer in a multivariate analysis. MLR may be useful for evaluating the status of lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer.     

Validation of the American Joint Committee on Cancer 8th edition staging system for the pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Background & aimsThe American Joint Commission on Cancer (AJCC) 8th edition staging system for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) contains several significant changes. This study aimed to validate the AJCC 8th edition staging system of PDA.MethodsWe analyzed patients with resected PDA between 2001 and 2017 using the Korean Pancreatic Cancer (K-PaC) registry. Overall survival (OS) was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier survival curves and compared via the log-rank test.ResultsIn total, 701 resected PDA patients were identified. During a median follow-up of 24.5 months, the median OS was 21.7 months. Meanwhile, the median OS of each stage according to the AJCC 8th edition was 73.5 months (stage IA), 41.9 months (stage IB), 24.2 months (stage IIA), 18.3 months (stage IIB), and 16.8 months (stage III). However, the new N-category (pN1 vs. pN2) did not subdivide prognosis, although the lymph node ratio (i.e., the ratio of the number of LN involved to the number of examined LN) did. Although pT3 and pN2 belong under stage III, pN2 has a significantly longer median OS than pT3 (16.9 months vs 11.2 months; p < 0.01).ConclusionThe AJCC 8th edition staging system appropriately stratifies the prognosis of PDA patients. However, the cutoff of the N-category is not statistically valid, and the new stage III includes a heterogeneous category (pN2 and pT4). Therefore, we propose that stage III be divided into stage IIIA (Tany N2 M0) and stage IIIB (T4 Nany M0).     

国际抗癌联盟和日本胃癌协会胃癌淋巴结分期法与国人胃癌患者预后相关性的比较

目的 比较国际抗癌联盟(UICC)和日本胃癌协会(JGCA)两种胃癌淋巴结分期法与胃癌预后的相关性,评价其在胃癌预后评估中的指导意义和应用价值.方法 1996年1月至2005年12月间,经D2及以上胃癌根治手术,清扫淋巴结数目≥15枚,并有完整随访资料的395例胃癌患者为研究对象,分别以两种淋巴结分期法进行分期并绘制生存曲线.以Kaplan-Meier法进行生存率分析,Log rank检验评估组间的差异.结果 按UICC法分期后,各组间患者的生存率差异更明显.对T3期患者分别以两种方法分组并进行生存率比较显示,按照UICC法分期各组间的差异更明显.对两种分期后的N亚期以另一种标准相互再分期后,生存曲线显示,以UICC法对JGCA法分期后的各组再分期所产生的差异比以JGCA法对UICC法分期后的各组再分期后所产生的差异明显.在JGCA分期标准中,Ⅰa、Ⅰb、Ⅱ、Ⅲa、Ⅲb和Ⅳ期患者的5年生存率分别为100.0%、96.9%、79.3%、54.2%、16.8%和11.2%;在UICC TNM分期标准中,其5年生存率分别为100.0%、96.9%、75.4%、51.8%、18.4%和10.5%.各期患者的5年生存率差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05).结论 UICC TNM胃癌分期标准与预后的相关性更好,对胃癌患者的预后评估和治疗方案的制定有更为客观的指导意义;而施行标准的D2胃癌根治手术和清扫至少15枚淋巴结是实行UICC分期法所必需的.     

Evaluation of the New American Joint Committee on Cancer/International Union against cancer classification of lymph node metastasis from gastric carcinoma in comparison with the Japanese classification.

BACKGROUND: A new system for the classification of gastric carcinoma, based on the number of metastatic lymph nodes, has been adopted by the current American Joint Committee on Cancer/International Union Against Cancer (AJCC/UICC) TNM system (1997). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the rationality of this classification in comparison with the Japanese classification, which is based on the location of positive lymph nodes. METHODS: The authors analyzed 587 patients who underwent clinically curative gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy for gastric carcinoma and each had 15 or more lymph nodes histologically examined from 1982 to 1992. Multivariate analysis with the Cox proportional hazards model was carried out to determine which classification was more effective. RESULTS: Within the pN1 or pN2 category of the new AJCC/UICC system, no significant difference in the survival rates existed between n1 patients and n2 patients of the Japanese classification. On the other hand, the survival rates significantly decreased, in the order of pN1, pN2, and pN3 (from greatest to smallest decrease), within the n1 and n2 categories. In multivariate analysis, lymph node involvement by the AJCC/UICC classification was selected as the most significant prognostic determinant, whereas the Japanese lymph node classification was not significantly prognostic. When survival rates were calculated within the pT1, pT2, and pT3-4 categories, no differences existed between pN0 and pN1. There was some discrepancy between the survival rate for each pT and pN category and the corresponding stage. CONCLUSIONS: The new AJCC/UICC classification for lymph node involvement of gastric carcinoma is basically acceptable and considered superior to the Japanese classification. Further analysis involving a greater number of cases may be necessary to confirm the applicability of this staging system.     

基于IMRT时代的第八版AJCC/UICC鼻咽癌临床分期建议

本文首次发表在Cancer,2016,122(4):546-558.

目的 准确的分期系统对癌症的治疗至关重要。随着癌症分期和治疗方法的演变,需要不断评价分期的适用性和改进性。方法 基于第7版AJCC/UICC分期回顾性分析香港和中国大陆2个肿瘤中心收治的 1609例接受调强放射治疗的首诊无转移鼻咽癌患者临床资料,所有患者治疗前均行核磁共振分期评估。结果 无其他T₃、T₄期解剖结构受侵患者中,伴有咀嚼肌间隙(翼内肌和/或翼外肌)侵犯、椎前肌侵犯及咽旁间隙侵犯的三组患者之间OS相近。伴广泛软组织(上述侵犯结构以外的软组织)受侵患者OS与伴有颅内侵犯或颅神经侵犯相似。仅2%患者锁骨上窝以上淋巴结转移者直径>6 cm,其OS率与下颈淋巴结转移者类似。用下颈(环状软骨尾侧缘水平以下)代替锁骨上窝并不影响N分期之间的风险差异性。采用推荐的T、N分期,T₄N_0-2、T_1-4N₃期OS相近。结论 经AJCC/UICC分期筹备委员会审阅后,建议第8版分期应将翼内肌/翼外肌从T₄降到T₂期,增加椎前肌为T₂期,用下颈取代锁骨上窝,将淋巴结最大直径>6 cm合并归为N₃期,将T₄、N₃期统一归为Ⅳ_A期。这些改变不仅使得相邻分期间风险差异性更好,而且使得临床实践性与全球适用性之间达到最佳平衡。     

Confirmation of the eighth edition of the AJCC/UICC TNM staging system for HPV-mediated oropharyngeal cancer in Japan

Background

Several studies have demonstrated that the seventh edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer/American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC/UICC) TNM staging system does not consistently distinguish between prognostic subgroups for human papillomavirus (HPV)-mediated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). The eighth edition of the AJCC/UICC TNM staging system came into effect for use with HPV-mediated OPSCC on or after 1 January 2017. This study confirms that the eighth edition of the AJCC/UICC TNM staging system for HPV-mediated OPSCC accurately reflects disease outcomes.

Patients and methods

We retrospectively analyzed 195 patients with OPSCC treated at Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan between 1998 and 2015. HPV status was evaluated by immunohistochemical analysis of p16.

Results

Of the 195 OPSCC patients evaluated, 111 (56.9%) were p16 positive and 84 (43.1%) were p16 negative. The 3-year overall survival rate (OS) was significantly lower in the p16-negative patients with stage III–IV in comparison with those with stage I–II (55.0 vs. 93.1%, respectively; p < 0.01). The 3-year OS did not differ significantly between stage I–II and stage III–IV in the p16-positive patients (86.7 vs 87.7%). According to the eighth edition of the AJCC/UICC TNM staging system, stage I–II and stage III can be differentiated on the basis of the 3-year OS in the p16-positive patients (90.9 vs 70.2%, respectively; p < 0.01).

Conclusions

The seventh edition of the AJCC/UICC TNM staging system is suitable for use with p16-negative patients; however, it does not effectively discriminate between p16-positive patients. Therefore, the eighth edition of the AJCC/UICC TNM staging system is more suitable for HPV-mediated OPSCC in Japan.

     

Cancer of the esophagus and esophagogastric junction

BACKGROUND:

Previous American Joint Committee on Cancer/International Union Against Cancer (AJCC/UICC) stage groupings for esophageal cancer have not been data driven or harmonized with stomach cancer. At the request of the AJCC, worldwide data from 3 continents were assembled to develop data‐driven, harmonized esophageal staging for the seventh edition of the AJCC/UICC cancer staging manuals.

METHODS:

All‐cause mortality among 4627 patients with esophageal and esophagogastric junction cancer who underwent surgery alone (no preoperative or postoperative adjuvant therapy) was analyzed by using novel random forest methodology to produce stage groups for which survival was monotonically decreasing, distinctive, and homogeneous.

RESULTS:

For lymph node‐negative pN0M0 cancers, risk‐adjusted 5‐year survival was dominated by pathologic tumor classification (pT) but was modulated by histopathologic cell type, histologic grade, and location. For lymph node‐positive, pN+M0 cancers, the number of cancer‐positive lymph nodes (a new pN classification) dominated survival. Resulting stage groupings departed from a simple, logical arrangement of TNM. Stage groupings for stage I and II adenocarcinoma were based on pT, pN, and histologic grade; and groupings for squamous cell carcinoma were based on pT, pN, histologic grade, and location. Stage III was similar for histopathologic cell types and was based only on pT and pN. Stage 0 and stage IV, by definition, were categorized as tumor in situ (Tis) (high‐grade dysplasia) and pM1, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

The prognosis for patients with esophageal and esophagogastric junction cancer depends on the complex interplay of TNM classifications as well as nonanatomic factors, including histopathologic cell type, histologic grade, and cancer location. These features were incorporated into a data‐driven staging of these cancers for the seventh edition of the AJCC/UICC cancer staging manuals. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.     

Comparison of the clinical efficacy of a new prognostic stratification for duodenal adenocarcinoma with that of TNM staging: The importance of T status with regard to the prognosis

BackgroundAlthough the current staging system and therapeutic strategy for duodenal adenocarcinoma (DA) focus on the N status, their validity has not been clarified. In this study, we evaluated the prognostic factors of DA and reviewed the current staging system.MethodsWe included 105 patients who underwent surgical resection of DA in our department between September 2006 and October 2020. Patients with localised disease other than an early tumour (pT1a) were classified into the advanced group, and prognostic factors were compared with those for the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) classification, 8th edition.ResultsThe 5-year overall survival (OS) rate in the advanced group (n = 55) was 73%. Multivariate analysis revealed that pT4 and pN2 statuses were independent prognostic factors for OS. The prognosis was stratified based on the pT4 and pN2 statuses, whereas the survival curves for patients with pStage II (pN0) and pStage IIIA (pN1) DA overlapped on staging according to the UICC classification. The new classification indicated a favourable prognosis for patients classified as pT1-3N1 stage IIIA (5-year OS, 86%), whereas the prognosis of patients with pT4N0-1 DA was similar to those classified as pT1-3N2 stage IIIB. Patients with pT4N2 DA had a similar prognosis (5-year OS, 24%) as those with metastases, and 75% of these patients showed distant metastasis within one year after surgery.ConclusionBoth T and N statuses affect the prognosis of DA. Patients with pT4N2 DA may require intensive adjuvant chemotherapy. (238 words)     

Proposal of a novel subclassification of pN3b for improvement the prognostic discrimination ability of gastric cancer patients

IntroductionIn the recent edition of TNM staging system, pN3b gastric cancer were separated into the staging system for better prognosis accuracy. The definition of pN3b contains a large range of metastasis lymph nodes (mLNs). However, few studies have evaluated the prognosis of pN3b patients and it remains unknown whether these patients were reasonably assigned into the same substage.Materials and methodsA total of 642 pN3b patients from a multi-institutional cohort in China were included. Disease-specific survival (DSS) was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and the Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to identify the independent prognostic factors. Restricted cubic spine model was used to specify the association between the continuous variables and the logarithm Hazard ratios (HRs). The optimal cut-off value of mLNs for DSS was identified using the X-tile software.ResultsThe 5-year DSS rate of total pN3b cohort was 15.4%. The smooth curves showed a non-linear association between the mLNs and the logarithm HRs. All pN3b gastric cancer patients were divided into two subclassifications (pN3b1: 16-24 mLNs, pN3b2: ≥25 mLNs). Significant survival difference was observed between two subclassifications (P = 0.048). Additionally, more LNs examined could decrease the death risk of pN3b patients and bring survival benefit only in pN3b1 patients, but not in pN3b2 patients.ConclusionsWe proposed a novel subclassification of pN3b patients, which assigned patients into two subclassifications with significant survival difference. Future study should explore the prognosis value based on this novel subclassification in TNM staging system.     

The impact of N-ratio in minimizing stage migration phenomenon in gastric cancer patients with insufficient number or level of lymph node retrieved: results from a Chinese mono-institutional study in 2159 patients

BackgroundPrevious studies indicate that N-ratio has significant superiority in minimizing ‘stage migration’ for patients with >15 lymph nodes retrieved. Whether the result is applicable to patients with ≤15 lymph nodes retrieved is still in question.Patients and methodsOverall survival rates of 2159 gastric cancer patients who underwent radical resection were compared between patients with different number and level of lymph nodes retrieved according to pN [International Union Against Cancer (Union Internationale Contre le Cancer)/AJCC N stage], n (JGCA N stage) and rN (N-ratio) staging system.ResultsPatient number was significantly different between insufficient and sufficient number or level retrieved group in pN and n system, respectively, but not in rN system, while overall survival rates were not significantly different between those groups. The 5-year survival rates of patients with insufficient nodes retrieved were significantly lower than those with sufficient nodes retrieved in pN and n system, but not in rN system. The hazard risk for patients with insufficient nodes retrieved was significantly higher than that for patients with sufficient nodes retrieved in pN and n system, but not in rN system.ConclusionThe rN stage has more potential advantages in minimizing stage migration phenomenon for patients with insufficient number or level of lymph nodes retrieved.     

In-depth evaluation of the AJCC/UICC 1997 staging system of nasopharyngeal carcinoma: prognostic homogeneity and proposed refinements

PURPOSE: To critically evaluate the American Joint Commission on Cancer (AJCC)/International Union Against Cancer (UICC) 1997 staging system and look back on its achievements by comparing it with the AJCC/UICC 1992 and Ho 1978 staging systems. To identify areas for additional refinement, we analyzed the prognostic heterogeneity within each stage in depth, which provided important clues for the addition or better categorization of the different defining criteria. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We performed a retrospective review of the data from 1294 consecutive biopsy-proven nonmetastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients and staged the extent of disease according to the defining criteria of the three staging systems. All patients had undergone detailed pretreatment assessment by fiberoptic endoscopy and CT. Radical-intent radiotherapy was given using the Ho technique according to our standard protocol. RESULTS: The AJCC/UICC 1997 staging system was superior to the other two staging systems, because it assigned patients to more uniform-size stage groupings and correlated better with prognosis. Parapharyngeal space involvement was not an independent predictor for survival, local control, or metastasis. On the other hand, carotid space involvement correlated with a greater likelihood of metastasis. Prognostic heterogeneity was found. Those with orbit, cranial nerve, or intracranial involvement fared worse within Stage T4; those with a maximal lymph node size >3 cm fared worse within Stage N2; and those with bilateral lymph node metastasis fared worse within Stage N3. CONCLUSION: The prognostic accuracy of the AJCC/UICC 1997 staging system can be improved further by recategorization of the T, N, and group stage criteria.     

基于鼻咽癌临床Ⅲ期探讨第8版AJCC/UICC分期系统

目的 基于调强放疗临床Ⅲ期鼻咽癌的生存分析中探讨第8版AJCC/UICC鼻咽癌分期系统。方法 2008-2014年在汕头大学医学院附属肿瘤医院首次治疗的 1351例鼻咽癌患者中按第7、8版标准重新分期,确定Ⅲ期患者分别为742、784例,将其各自分为3个亚组:T3N0-1期为 G1(226、245例),T1-2N2期为 G2(180、187例),T3N2期为G3(336、352例)。Kaplan-Meier法分别计算3个组 5年总生存(OS)、无进展生存(PFS)、无远处转移生存(DMFS)、无局部区域复发生存(LRRFS),并log-rank检验组间差异。结果 第8版病例中93.6%与第7版的相同。第8版与第7版总体的OS、PFS、DMFS、LRRFS分别为84.8%与85.4%、76.2%与77.0%、80.4%与81.3%、89.8%与90.6%(P均>0.05)。第8版分期3个亚组的OS、PFS和DMFS均不同(P均<0.001);G1与 G2、G1与G3也不同(P均<0.05),G2与G3间相近(P=0.183、0.310、0.248)。结论 第8版AJCC/UICC分期系统对临床Ⅲ期病例的分布特点及临床终点相对于第7版变化不大,亚组间仍有明显的组内生存风险分布差异,其中N2对Ⅲ期患者的生存风险评估起到主要作用。可能在IMRT联合化疗时代局部肿瘤对预后的影响已经减弱,第8版分期系统仍然有改进的空间。     

Discussion of the 8th edition of AJCC/UICC staging system from the clinical stage Ⅲ nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Objective To evaluate the 8^th edition of AJCC/UICC staging system for stage Ⅲ nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) by the survival analysis. All patients were treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). Methods Among 1351 treatment-naïve NPC patients who received radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy in our hospital from December 2008 to October 2014, 742 and 784 cases were classified as clinical stage Ⅲ based on the criteria of the 7^th and 8^th edition of AJCC/UICC staging systems, respectively. These patients were classified into three subgroups according to the 7^th and 8^th edition of AJCC/UICC staging systems:T3N0-1 as G1(n=226, n=245), T1-2N2 as G2(n=180, n=187) and T3N2 as G3(n=336, n=352). The 5-year overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) and local-regional recurrence-free survival (LRRFS) were analyzed with Kaplan-Meier method. The differences among different groups were evaluated by log-rank test. Results There were 93.6% patients evaluated by the 8^th AJCC/UICC staging system remained the same cohort with those by the 7^th AJCC/UICC staging system. The 5-year OS, PFS, DMFS and LRRFS of the 8^th and 7^th staging systems were 84.8% and 85.4%, 76.2% and 77.0%, 80.4% and 81.3%, 89.8% and 90.6%, respectively (all P>0.05). The OS, PFS or DMFS significantly differed among three subgroups classified by the 8^th staging system (all P<0.001). In addition, statistical significance was observed between G1 and G2, and between G1 and G3(both P<0.05), whereas no statistical significance was noted between G2 and G3(P=0.183, 0.310, 0.248). Conclusions The distribution features and clinical endpoints of clinical stage Ⅲ defined by the 8^th AJCC/UICC staging system are similar to those defined by the 7^th AJCC/UICC staging system. The distribution of survival risk significantly differs among different subgroups. N2 plays a major role in assessing the survival risk of patients with stage Ⅲ NPC. In the era of IMRT plus chemotherapy, the effect of local tumors on clinical prognosis has been diminished. The 8^th AJCC/UICC staging system remains to be further improved.     

915例单纯根治放疗鼻咽癌分期系统比较及建议(二)--AJCC/UICC('97)分期的校验

背景与目的：本研究承起参考文献[1],旨在对鼻咽癌AJCC／UICC（1997）分期进行进一步验证和提出适当的建议。方法：同参考文献[1]。结果：Cox模型分析表明年龄、AJCC／UICC（1997）TNM分期或T和N分期与915例患者生存状况显著相关,统计学差异显著。选择年龄≤60岁患者803例再行Cox模型分析,生存状况仅与AJCC／UICC（1997）大体分期或T和N显著相关。而与年龄的相关不具统计学显著性。803例鼻咽癌的寿命表法分析表明,AJCC／UICC（1997）分期基本可反映预后,但Ⅰ和Ⅱa期。Ⅳa和Ⅳb期两两比较生存率差异不显著。Kaplan-Meier法分析表明在考虑N分期因素影响下,T1和T2a期,T3和T4期差异不显著。考虑T分期因素后,N2和N3a,N3a和N3b两两比较差异不显著。将无咽旁间隙受侵之他a期下调为T1期;将下颈淋巴结受侵之N1上调为N2期;将N3a期和N3b期合并为N3期;将Ⅰ和Ⅱa期合并为Ⅰ期;Ⅳa和Ⅳb期合并为Ⅳa期;Ⅱb期改为Ⅱ期。重新进行分析,调整后大体分期、T和N各自组间比较差异具统计学显著性,分组更具合理性。结论：在充分考虑年龄对预后的影响及T分期和N分期相互影响的前提下,本组病例对AJCC／UICC（1997）鼻咽癌分期系统的验证提示可对其进行以上调整。     

乳腺癌伴同侧锁骨上淋巴结转移的治疗

乳腺癌伴同侧锁骨上淋巴结转移(breast cancer with ipsilateral supraclavicular lymph node metastasis,ISLM)的分期曾一度改变.在1988年第5版的AJCC分期中,同侧锁骨上淋巴结的转移被定义为真正的远处转移,然而在2003年AJCC和UICC乳腺癌分期指南中规定,如果不伴有其他远处转移,同侧锁骨上淋巴结的转移划分为pN3c,被认为是局部晚期病变.虽然乳腺癌伴同侧锁骨上淋巴结转移患者预后明显好于真正M1患者,但其最佳治疗手段一直是探讨的热点,本文查阅相关文献,对乳腺癌伴同侧锁骨上淋巴结转移的治疗进展进行了简要综述.     

Prognostic impact of positive lymph node ratio in gastric carcinoma

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prognostic value of metastatic lymph node ratio in gastric carcinoma. METHODS: One hundred and sixty four patients who underwent D(2) dissection for gastric carcinoma at Ankara Oncology Hospital were reviewed retrospectively. The prognostic factors including Japanese classification, AJCC/UICC TNM classification and metastatic lymph node ratio (1-10% and >10%) were evaluated in univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: The multivariate analysis showed that Borrmann classification, pN-category of AJCC/UICC classification and metastatic lymph node ratio were the most significant prognostic factors and a higher hazard ratio was obtained for metastatic lymph node ratio than pN category of AJCC/UICC classification (4.5 vs. 11.4). When the metastatic ratio groups of 1-10% and >10% were subdivided into pN(1), pN(2) and pN(3) categories of the AJCC/UICC classification, there was no statistical difference between survival curves. When pN(1), pN(2) and pN(3) categories of the AJCC/UICC classification were subdivided into the ratio groups of 1-10% and >10%, the survival rate of ratio group 1-10% was better than ratio group >10%. CONCLUSION: With its simplicity and reproducibility, metastatic lymph node ratio can be used as a reliable prognostic indicator.     

Nomogram for Predicting the Overall Survival of Patients With Breast Cancer With Pathologic Nodal Status N3

BackgroundPatients with breast cancer with pathologic N3 (pN3) lymph node status have been proven to have a poor prognosis. This study aimed to establish a nomogram to predict overall survival (OS) in patients with pN3 breast cancer.Materials and MethodsThe eligible patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database were randomly divided into training and validation cohorts. χ² tests and survival curves were performed to define the consistency between these 2 cohorts. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were carried out to identify the independent clinicopathologic factors of patients with pN3 breast cancer. A nomogram was developed and validated internally and externally by a calibration curve and compared with the seventh edition American Joint Committee on Cancer TNM staging classification in discrimination ability.ResultsRace, age at diagnosis, marital status, grade, T stage, N stage, breast cancer subtype, surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy were independent predictive factors of OS in pN3 breast cancer. We developed a nomogram to predict 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS and further validated it in both cohorts, demonstrating better prediction capacity in OS than that of the seventh edition American Joint Committee on Cancer TNM staging classification (area under the curve in the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.745 and 0.611 in the training cohort and 0.768 and 0.624 in the validation cohort, respectively).ConclusionWe have developed and validated the first nomogram for predicting the survival of pN3 breast cancer. This nomogram accurately and reliably predicted the OS of patients with pN3 breast cancer. However, more prognostic factors need to be further explored to improve the nomogram.     

Distinction between isolated tumor cells and micrometastases in breast cancer

BACKGROUND: In routine practice, the distinction between isolated tumor cells (ITC) and micrometastases (MIC) in patients with breast cancer is sometimes difficult to discern. The authors assessed differences in classifying patients according to the American Joint Commission on Cancer (AJCC) and the International Union Against Cancer (UICC) definitions and method of sizing. METHODS: We assessed the characteristics of metastatic deposits in only 1 involved lymph node in 337 patients with operable breast cancer (median follow-up, 15.3 years). When sizing multiple clusters, either the diameter of the area with close clusters (Method 1) or the size of the largest cluster (Method 2) was taken into account. Patients were classified and their survival was assessed according to the 2 sizing methods and the criteria used for definitions (size in AJCC; size and topography in UICC). RESULTS: With the AJCC definitions, 32 patients would be differently classified according to the method of sizing. With the UICC definitions, some patients with parenchymal ITC would be classified as pN1mi, 38 by Method 1 and 53 by Method 2. Some pathologists would classify the 66 patients who had isolated capsular vascular invasion as pN0. Classification was uncertain in 136 (40%) to 151 (45 %) patients. Survival was not significantly different between pN0(i+) and pN1(mi) patients. CONCLUSIONS: The distinction between ITC and MIC was often difficult and without any prognostic significance. Precise guidelines are more useful for staging than for therapy. Thus, complete axillary dissection is usually performed in pN0(i+) and pN1(mi) patients, whereas chemotherapy is not indicated or debatable when MIC is the only 1 pejorative criterion.     

第7版UICC或AJCC鼻咽癌分期的IMRT验证研究

目的 验证第7版 UICC或AJCC 鼻咽癌分期系统在以MR为分期手段、IMRT为基础综合治疗策略下的合理性及适用性。方法 回顾分析2007—2011年间在本院经MRI分期和IMRT治疗的 720例初诊M₀期鼻咽癌患者的生存及失败情况,评价T、N分期对预测患者生存及失败的可靠性。Kaplan-Meier计算生存率,Logrank法检验差异,Cox模型多因素预后分析。结果 第7版 UICC或AJCC 鼻咽癌T分期是OS、CSS、DFS和DMFS的影响因素(P=0.013、0.025、0.001、0.002),但T₁、T₂、T₃期间相近(P=0.054~0.626)。从局部复发和远转风险来看,T₃与T₂期非常接近(P=0.796)。N分期是DFS、DMFS的影响因素(P=0.005,0.000)。但N₀和N₁期间相近(P=0.549、0.707)。在N₀—N₁期中也未发现单纯咽后淋巴结转移对OS、DFS和DMFS有影响(P=0.360、0.083、0.062)。结论 第7版UICC或AJCC鼻咽癌分期系统对经MRI分期和IMRT的鼻咽癌患者预后仍有较好预测价值,但有进一步优化的空间。     

Survival outcomes used to generate version 9 American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system for anal cancer

The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system for all cancer sites, including anal cancer, is the standard for cancer staging in the United States. The AJCC staging criteria are dynamic, and periodic updates are conducted to optimize AJCC staging definitions through a panel of experts charged with evaluating new evidence to implement changes. With greater availability of large data sets, the AJCC has since restructured and updated its processes, incorporating prospectively collected data to validate stage group revisions in the version 9 AJCC staging system, including anal cancer. Survival analysis using AJCC eighth edition staging guidelines revealed a lack of hierarchical order in which stage IIIA anal cancer was associated with a better prognosis than stage IIB disease, suggesting that, for anal cancer, tumor (T) category has a greater effect on survival than lymph node (N) category. Accordingly, version 9 stage groups have been appropriately adjusted to reflect contemporary long-term outcomes. This article highlights the changes to the now published AJCC staging system for anal cancer, which: (1) redefined stage IIB as T1–T2N1M0 disease, (2) redefined stage IIIA as T3N0–N1M0 disease, and (3) eliminated stage 0 disease from its guidelines altogether.