Axilladissektion oder Axillabestrahlung bei postmenopausalen Patientinnen mit Mammakarzinom? Langzeitergebnisse und Langzeitfolgen bei 655 Patientinnen

BACKGROUND: Until 1993 postmenopausal women with breast cancer did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy in our institution even if axillary nodes were involved. So in these patients axillary dissection had no diagnostic value for further treatment. Therefore we started a prospective study in which dissection of axillary nodes was replaced by irradiation in postmenopausal cN0 patients. PATIENTS UND METHODS: From 1986 to 1993 we irradiated 655 patients with breast cancer after breast conserving surgery (BET). In all 144 cN1- and all 209 premenopausal cN0-patients axillary dissection was recommended. Of 302 postmenopausal cN0 patients 129 had breast surgery in our institution. In a total of 129 patients axillary dissection was replaced by irradiation (AxRT-group). They were compared with all 173 patients referred from other hospitals for irradiation after both breast conserving surgery and axillary dissection (AxOP-group). Dissected patients with gross tumor involvement of the axilla or less than eight nodes removed had additional axillary irradiation. Patients age, tumor size, vessel-, muscle- or skin invasion and grading were similar in both groups (Table 1). However, in the AxRT-group there were more patients with negative hormone receptors, multifocal and medial sited tumors. Late complications after dissection and/or irradiation of the axilla were evaluated in 502 patients free of locoregional relapse and with a minimal follow up of 3 years (median 9.5 years). RESULTS: After 5, 10 and 15 years tumor free survival rates were 90%, 82% and 79% in the AxOP-group vs 91%, 82% and 80% in the AxRT-group, respectively (p = 0.95) (Figure 1). Overall survival (p = 0.98) (Figure 2), local (p = 0.47) and axillary control (p = 0.12) were equal in both groups (Figures 3 and 4). However, serious problems like lymphedema of the arm, pain, mobility impairment occurred in 26% patients following axillary dissection but only in 1% after axillary irradiation. No difference in late sequelae after axillary dissection with or without irradiation could be detected (26 vs 27%) (Table 2). CONCLUSION: In postmenopausal cN0-patients axillary dissection should be replaced by axillary irradiation, since it offers the same chance for cure with much lower morbidity.     

乳腺癌术中保留肋间臂神经的可行性研究

目的探讨乳腺癌根治术中保留肋间臂神经(ICBN)的可行性。方法行乳腺癌根治术患者134例,其中70例行保留ICBN的乳腺癌根治术(保留组),64例行切除ICBN的乳腺癌根治术(切除组),分析两组患者术后的局部复发及感觉障碍情况。结果保留组术后1~24个月局部感觉障碍发生率为12.85%(9/70)~2.85%(2/70)明显低于对照组的70.31%(45/64)~50.00%(32/64),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);两组术后局部复发率分别为0%~2.85%(2/70)和0%~3.13%(2/64),差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论保留ICBN的乳腺癌根治术是安全可行的。     

Prediction of Axillary Lymph Node Status of Breast Cancer Patients by Tumorbiological Factors of the Primary Tumor

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The increasing use of systemic adjuvant therapy even in lymph node-negative breast cancer patients and breast cancer screening programs detecting smaller tumors with less probability of metastatic lymph nodes questions the need for routine axillary lymph node dissection. Since morbidity of breast cancer surgery is predominantly related to axillary lymph node dissection, predictive models for lymph node involvement may provide a way to avoid lymph node surgery and its side effects in subgroups of patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Using a multivariate logistic regression model, tumorbiological parameters such as expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors, Ki-67, p53, cathepsin D, HER2, S-phase fraction, and ploidy were analyzed regarding their ability to predict axillary lymph node involvement in 655 breast cancer patients. RESULTS: The model correctly predicted axillary lymph node metastases in 58% of the patients by including expression of progesterone receptor, HER2, and Ki-67. In a subgroup of 200 patients predicted to be at extremely high or extremely low risk for axillary lymph node metastases, the accuracy of the prediction was 70%. CONCLUSION: With a model just based on tumorbiological parameters obtained in the primary tumor it is possible to predict axillary lymph node status. By including additional parameters it appears to be feasible to further improve the model in order to avoid axillary lymph node surgery in low-risk women.     

Axilladissektion oder Axillabestrahlung bei postmenopausalen Patientinnen mit Mammakarzinom? Langzeitergebnisse und Langzeitfolgen bei 655 Patientinnen

Hintergrund: Vor 1993 erhielten postmenopausale Patientinnen mit Mammakarzinom auch bei axillärem Lymphknotenbefall (pN+) in unserer Klinik keine adjuvante Chemotherapie. Für diese Patientinnen hatt die diagnostische Funktion der Axilladissektion keinen therapieentscheidenden Wert. Deshalb wurde untersucht, ob bei ihnen die therapeutische Funktion der Dissektion durch eine Radiatio ersetzt werden kann oder im Hinblick auf die Langzeitfolgen ersetzt werden sollte. Patientinnen und Methoden: Von 1986 bis 1993 wurden 655 Patientinnen mit Mammakarzinom nach brusterhaltender Operation (BET) bestrahlt. Davon waren präoperativ 144 cN1m und 511 cN0-Patientinnen. Bei allen 144 cN1m und allen 29 prämenopausalen cN0-Patientinnen war eine Axilladissektion vorgesehen. Von 302 postmenopausalen cN0-Patientinnen erhielten alle 129 Patientinnen in unserer Klinik operierten Fälle keine Dissektion, sondern eine alleinige Axillabestrahlung (AxRT-Gruppe). Vergleichskollektiv waren alle 173 postmenopausalen cN0-Patientinnen, die in auswärtigen Kliniken eine Axilladissektion erhalten hatten (AxOP-Gruppe) und in unserer Klinik postoperativ nach BET bestrahlt wurden. Die Prognoseparameter waren in beiden Gruppen gleich bzw. sogar etwas ungünstiger in der AxRT-Gruppe. Bei massivem Befall oder weniger als acht entfernten Lymphknoten wurde die Axilla zusätzlich bestrahlt. Spätfolgen nach Dissektion und/oder Radiatio der Axilla wurden bei 502 lokoregionär rezidivfreien Patientinnen des Gesamtkollektivs ausgewertet, die mindestens 3 Jahre nachkontrolliert werden konnten (median 9,5 Jahre). Ergebnisse: Nach 5, 10 und 15 Jahren beträgt das tumorfreie Überleben bei 173 Patientinnen mit Dissektion 90%, 82% und 79% bzw. bei 129 Patientinnen mit Radiatio der Axilla 91%, 82% und 80% (p = 0,95), Gesamtüberleben (p = 0,98), lokale (p = 0,47) und axilläre Rezidivfreiheit (p = 0,12) waren ebenfalls gleich. Gravierende Spätfolgen traten bei 26% der axilladissezierten Patientinnen auf und bei nur 1% der axillabestrahlten. Die zusätzliche Radiatio hatten keinen Einfluss auf die Morbidität durch die Dissektion (26 vs. 27%). Schlussfolgerung: Die Axillaradiatio bietet bei geringerer Morbidität gleich gute Heilungschance wie die Dissektion und sollte zumindest bei postmenopausalen cN0-Patientinnen eingesetzt werden. Background: Until 1993 postmenopausal women with breast cancer did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy in our institution even if axillary nodes were involved. So in these patients axillary dissection had no diagnostic value for further treatment. Therefore we started a prospective study in which dissection of axillary nodes was replaced by irradiation in postmenopausal cN0 patients. Patients and Methods: From 1986 to 1993 we irradiated 655 patients with breast cancer after breast conserving surgery (BET). In all 144 cN1m and all 209 premenopausal cN0-patients axillary dissection was recommended. Of 302 postmenopausal cN0 patients 129 had breast surgery in our institution. In a total of 129 patients axillary dissection was replaced by irradiation (AxRT-group). They were compared with all 173 patients referred from other hospitals for irradiation after both breast conserving surgery and axillary dissection (AxOP-group). Dissected patients with gross tumor involvement of the axilla or less than eight nodes removed had additional axillary irradiation. Patients age, tumor size, vessel-, muscle- or skin invasion and grading were similar in both groups (Table 1). However, in the AxRT-group there were more patients with negative hormon receptors, multifocal and medial sited tumors. Late complications after dissection and/or irradiation of the axilla were evaluated in 502 patients free of locoregional relapse and with a minimal follow up of 3 years (median 9.5 years). Results: After 5, 10 and 15 years tumor free survival rates were 90%, 82% and 79% in the AxOP-group vs 91%, 82% and 80% in the AxRT-group, respectively (p = 0,95) (Figure 1). Overall survival (p = 0.98) (Figure 2), local (p = 0.47) and axillary control (p = 0.12) were equal in both groups (Figures 3 and 4). However, serious problems like lymphedema of the arm, pain mobility impairment occurred in 26% patients following axillary dissection but only in 1% after axillary irradiation. No difference in late squelae after axillary dissection with or without irradiation could be detected (26 vs 27%) (Table 2). Conclusion: In postmenopausal cN0-patients axillary dissection should be replaced by axillary irradiation, since it offers the same chance for cure with much lower morbidity.     

Biopsy of sentinel lymph nodes guided by lymphoscintigraphic mapping in patients with breast cancer

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to determine the technical success rate of sentinel node biopsy with lymphoscintigraphy in women with breast cancer and the frequency with which sentinel node biopsy obviated axillary dissection. Factors affecting the success rate of sentinel node biopsy and lymphoscintigraphy were also evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Retrospective review revealed 119 women with breast cancer who underwent lymphoscintigraphy and sentinel node biopsy at our institution during the study period. A planned axillary dissection was performed in 13 of the first 16 patients; otherwise, axillary dissection was only performed if tumor was present in sentinel nodes or if the sentinel node biopsy was unsuccessful. RESULTS. Sentinel node biopsy was successful in 96% of patients, and sentinel node metastases were found in 20%. In 78% of patients, a negative sentinel node biopsy obviated axillary dissection. Prior excisional biopsy was not associated with a failed sentinel node biopsy (p = 0.750) but was associated with failed lymphoscintigraphy (p = 0.01). Successful lymphoscintigraphy was associated with successful sentinel node biopsy (p < 0.0001). No association was found between the histology or size of the tumor and a failed sentinel node biopsy (p = 0.46 and p = 0.1, respectively) or failed lymphoscintigraphy (p = 0.36 and p = 0.47, respectively). CONCLUSION. Sentinel node biopsy guided by lymphoscintigraphy, intraoperative gamma probe, and isosulfan blue dye is an effective alternative to axillary dissection in patients with breast cancer. Lymphoscintigraphy improved the success rate of sentinel node biopsy. Large tumor size or prior excisional biopsy should not prevent patients from having sentinel node biopsy.     

MRI 鉴别诊断慢性乳腺炎与乳腺癌的价值

目的：比较慢性乳腺炎与乳腺癌的 MRI 表现,探讨 MRI 鉴别诊断两者的价值。方法回顾性分析20例经穿刺活检或手术病理证实为慢性乳腺炎的 MRI 检查资料,同时期经病理证实的30例乳腺癌作为对照。评估两者的形态学征象与动态增强表现并作统计学分析。形态学征象包括：病灶形状、毛刺征、环形强化、病灶周围水肿、皮肤增厚、乳头受累、腋窝淋巴结肿大。动态增强表现(DCE)包括计算早期强化率,绘制时间-信号强度曲线(TIC)。结果乳腺炎与乳腺癌形状、环形强化、灶周水肿等征象存在统计学差异,毛刺征、皮肤增厚、乳头受累、腋窝淋巴结肿大等征象无统计学差异。乳腺炎早期强化率1.156±0.635,乳腺癌1.253±0.499,两者无统计学差异(t=0.604,P =0.548)。乳腺炎Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ型 TIC 病例分别为11、6、3例,乳腺癌分别为4、11、15例。两者 TIC 有统计学差异(χ2=8.713,P =0.013)。结论乳腺炎常呈非肿块样外观,环形强化、灶周水肿、偏良性的 TIC 等 MRI 征象可作为与乳腺癌鉴别诊断的依据。     

Role of ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy of axillary lymph nodes in the initial staging of breast carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of US-guided core biopsy in detection of metastatic axillary lymph nodes in preoperative staging of breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: US-guided core biopsy of suspicious axillary lymph nodes was performed in 39 patients with breast cancer. Biopsy results were compared to the axillary dissection results. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the core biopsy in the detection of malignancy were calculated. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients were assessed with biopsy; 30 patients were found to have metastatic carcinoma and nine had benign reactive hyperplasia. In 26 of 30 cases with biopsy-proven metastatic disease, there were malignant lymph nodes detected at axillary dissection. Four cases that had positive biopsy results and negative axillary dissection were accepted as complete response to chemotherapy. In three of nine cases with benign reactive hyperplasia, axillary dissection revealed metastatic disease. No significant complications were observed other than pain responding to analgesics. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of core biopsy in detection of malignancy were 90%, 100% and 92%, respectively. The results were statistically significant (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Ultrasonographically detected lymph nodes can be easily assessed by US-guided biopsy. Core biopsy is a reliable and easily performed method without significant complications.     

右美托咪定在乳腺癌术后慢性疼痛中应用

目的探讨右美托咪定在降低乳腺癌术后不良反应和慢性疼痛的发生率中的应用。方法采用随机、双盲、对照的研究方法,选择在全身麻醉下行乳房切除术及腋窝淋巴结清扫的患者60例,随机分为两组(n=30)。其中,实验组(D组)在诱导前10 min泵入右美托咪定1.0μg/kg,泵注10 min后改为维持量0.6μg/(kg·h);对照组(P组)泵注生理盐水。两组患者均采用舒芬太尼术后静脉自控镇痛。记录患者术后2、24、48 h疼痛的数字等级评分和不良反应发生情况。电话随访术后2~12个月期间疼痛的持续时间和强度。结果两组患者术后2、24、48 h疼痛评分比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);但D组不良反应发生率显著小于P组(P<0.05)。D组术后2、4、6、12个月疼痛发生率明显低于P组(P<0.05)。结论乳腺癌术中应用右美托咪定可以提高患者舒适度,显著降低术后慢性疼痛的发生率。     

Axillary lymph node metastases in breast cancer: preoperative detection with dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI

Metastatic involvement of axillary lymph nodes is one of the most important prognostic variables in breast cancer. The aim of our work was to study the value of dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging in revealing axillary lymph node metastases from breast cancer. A total of 65 patients with invasive breast cancer treated with axillary lymph node dissection were preoperatively evaluated by MRI. T1-weighted dynamic contrast-enhanced 3D images were acquired using a coil covering the breast and the axilla. The dynamic contrast enhancement, size, and morphology of the axillary lymph nodes were registered. Histopathological examination revealed axillary lymph node metastases in 24 patients. When using a signal intensity increase in the lymph nodes of > 100 % during the first postcontrast image as a threshold for malignancy, 57 of 65 patients were correctly classified (sensitivity 83 %, specificity 90 %, accuracy 88 %). These results were not improved when lymph node size and morphology were used as additional criteria. Axillary lymph nodes can be evaluated as a part of an MR-mammography study without substantial increase in examination time, and provide the surgeon with knowledge about the localization of possible metastatic lymph nodes. Received: 25 February 1999; Revised: 3 August 1999; Accepted: 27 January 1999     

Postoperative Irradiation in Breast Cancer Patients with One to Three Positive Axillary Lymph Nodes

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of extracapsular extension (ECE) on locoregional and distant control in breast cancer patients with one to three positive axillary lymph nodes treated with postoperative irradiation. As shown in literature, ECE is diagnosed in up to 30% of node-positive breast cancer patients. Consequences of ECE and prognosis of these patients are unclear. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The medical records of 1,142 node-positive females with a carcinoma of the breast, postoperatively irradiated between 1994 and 2003, were retrospectively reviewed. Of the 274 patients presenting with one to three positive axillary lymph nodes, 91 (33.2%) showed ECE. While all patients were irradiated using tangential fields, only eight out of 274 patients received additional nodal irradiation. RESULTS: Patients' mean age was 58.2 years (range, 28-96 years), and the mean observation period 42.9 months (range, 6.6-101 months). In 93.4% of patients, locoregional control was achieved. On multivariate analysis of metastases-free survival, the hazard ratios for ECE and histological grade 3 were 2.71 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.316-5.581; p = 0.007) and 2.435 (95% CI, 1.008-5.885; p = 0.048), respectively. The 3-year and 5-year metastases-free survival rates for patients with ECE were 78% and 66%, compared to 90% and 87% in patients without ECE (p = 0.0048). CONCLUSION: Locoregional recurrence remains low in breast cancer patients (one to three positive axillary lymph nodes +/- ECE) treated with surgery, adequate axillary dissection, and tangential field irradiation only. However, ECE is significantly linked to a considerable risk for subsequent distant failure.     

The importance of axillary diagnosis in breast cancer from the viewpoint of radiotherapists. The results of a retrospective study of 671 patients]

We reviewed the clinical evolution and survival of 671 post mastectomy breast cancer patients. 561 patients underwent a postoperative radiotherapy, whereas 110 did not. After grouping for N0 and N+, the median number of examined axillary lymph nodes in the not irradiated group was for N0 status three and for the N+ status eight axillary lymph nodes. In the latter group the median number of the involved axillary nodes was three. In the post mastectomy irradiated N0 group the median number of examined axillary nodes was five, whereas in the N+ group the corresponding number was seven. The median number of involved nodes was two. The majority of the N0 patients who were not postoperatively irradiated were referred to our clinic with a local recurrence. The study shows that axillary staging of the N0 group was not performed corresponding to the today's accepted oncological norms for the minimum number of axillary nodes to be examined to determine a "true" N0 axillary status. Thus, it was not a surprise to find out, for N0 patients, a dependency of the survival rate on the number of examined axillary nodes. Patients with more than nine examined nodes showed better survival rates than patients with less than five examined nodes (p less than 0.05). The irradiation of the axilla is obligatory in case of incomplete axillary dissection (less than ten negative examined nodes from level I and II and less than 18 nodes for a positive axillary dissection). The irradiation of the axilla is not indicated after a complete axillary clearance.     

Is imaging the future of axillary staging in breast cancer?

Axillary management in patients with breast cancer has become much less invasive with the introduction of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). However, over 70 % of SLNBs are negative, questioning the generic use of this invasive procedure. Emerging evidence indicates that breast cancer patients with a low axillary burden of disease do not benefit from axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). Non-invasive techniques such as paramagnetic iron oxide contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may provide genuine alternatives to axillary staging and should be evaluated within clinical trials. Selective axillary surgery could then be offered based on imaging findings and for therapeutic intent. This non-operative approach would reduce morbidity further and facilitate interpretation of follow-up imaging. Key Points ? Modern imaging and biopsy greatly help the axillary staging of breast cancer. ? Superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)-enhanced MRI offers a further advance. ? Sentinel lymph node biopsy may become redundant with SPIO-enhanced MRI. ? Selective therapeutic axillary surgery should be based upon preoperative imaging findings.     

Prospective evaluation of fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyclucose positron emission tomography in breast cancer for staging of the axilla related to surgery and immunocytochemistry

The noninvasive staging of axillary lymph nodes for metastases is investigated in patients with breast cancer prior to surgery by positron emission tomography (PET) with fluorine- l8-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (¹⁸F-FDG). In 124 patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer, whole-body PET was performed to determine the average differential uptake ratio (DUR) of¹⁸F-FDG in the axillary lymph nodes. Results were correlated with the number of the dissected lymph nodes, size of the primary tumor, tumor type, tumor grade, estrogen and progesterone receptors, DNA ploidy, and the proportion of cells in the synthetic phase of the cell cycle (S-phase). In this prospective study of 124 patients with breast carcinoma, PET correctly categorized all 44 tumor-positive axillary lymph nodes, a sensitivity of 100%. Sixty tumor-negative axillary lymph nodes were negative by PET and 20 tumor-negative axillary lymph nodes were positive by PET. No false-negative PET findings were encountered. A weak correlation was found between DUR and tumor size as well as between DUR and the S-phase of the tumor. In patients with breast carcinoma,¹⁸F-FDG PET can be of value in evaluating axillary lymph nodes for metastatic involvement prior to surgery. It is of particular importance that no false-negative PET findings were encountered, and axillary lymph node dissection might not be necessary in patients without axillary uptake by PET. The DUR of the positive axillary lymph nodes seems to bear a relationship with some of the purported prognostic parameters of the primary tumor.     

Sentinel lymph node mapping for breast cancer: analysis in a diverse patient group.

PURPOSE: To evaluate sentinel lymph node mapping in patients with breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-two patients with breast cancer scheduled to undergo axillary nodal dissection underwent scintigraphic localization of sentinel lymph nodes with filtered technetium 99m sulfur colloid. At surgery, isosulfan blue was injected. Sentinel nodes were identifiable by blue color and by radioactivity with hand-held gamma probe. Results were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: A sentinel lymph node was identified in 49 patients (79%). Lymph nodes were positive for metastatic disease in 26 patients (42%). The mapping success rate was 78% (n = 21) in the 27 patients with no prior surgery, 78% (n = 18) in the 23 patients with prior surgery, and 86% (n = 12) in the 14 patients with prior chemotherapy. Axillary nodes were positive in 11 (41%) of the 27 patients with no prior intervention, six (26%) of the 23 patients with prior surgery, and 10 (71%) of the 14 patients with prior chemotherapy. There were no false-negative findings in patients without prior intervention. Four patients with positive nodes had false-negative sentinel nodes. CONCLUSION: Sentinel lymph node mapping and biopsy without axillary dissection is appropriate in patients with breast cancer who have not undergone prior intervention. Further study is necessary to ascertain the accuracy of the procedure for patients who have undergone presurgical chemotherapy or previous excisional biopsy.     

Identification of sentinel lymph node in stage I-II breast cancer with lymphoscintigraphy and surgical gamma probe: comparison of Tc-99m MIBI and Tc-99m sulfur colloid

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of the surgical gamma probe (SGP) after peritumoral injection of Tc-99m MIBI and filtered Tc-99m sulfur colloid (SC) in sentinel lymph node (SLN) detection in stage I and II breast cancer for deciding on the need for axillary dissection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty patients with stage I-II breast cancer had peritumoral injection of Tc-99m MIBI (74 MBq/0.2 mL [2 mCi/0.2 mL] at 4 different locations) and 42 different patients had peritumoral injection of filtered Tc-99m sulfur colloid (50 MBq/0.2 mL [1.3 mCi/0.2 mL] at 4 different locations). Anterior, lateral, and anterolateral spot images were acquired at 10, 30, 45, 60, and 120 minutes and 24 hours are injection in 5 patients. During surgery, counts were obtained from the injection site, affected breast tissue, internal mammary, axillary, and supraclavicular regions and the contralateral side using the gamma probe. Peritumoral blue dye was also injected during surgery. The first lymph nodes with counts at least twice the background tissue and/or with blue dye uptake were surgically isolated. Modified radical mastectomy and axillary dissection were performed. RESULTS: Histopathologic evaluation was made on SLN and other excised tissues. In the Tc-99m sulfur colloid group, lymphatic drainage and lymph nodes were demonstrated with lymphoscintigraphy in 31 of 42 patients. SLN was detected by SGP in 35 of 42 patients. In the Tc-99m MIBI group, lymphatic drainage and lymph nodes were visualized with lymphoscintigraphy in 23 of 30 patients. SLN was detected in 25 of 30 patients with SGP in this group. CONCLUSION: In patients with stage I-II breast cancer, SLN could be successfully demonstrated with lymphoscintigraphy and SGP by the peritumoral injection of filtered Tc-99m sulfur colloid and Tc-99m MIBI.     

The usefulness of Tc-99m-tetrofosmin SPECT/CT in the detection of residual tumors and axillary lymph node metastases in breast cancer patients following neoadjuvant therapy

Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/CT is emerging as a useful diagnostic tool in several oncological fields. In this prospective study, we assessed the usefulness of Tc-99m-tetrofosmin SPECT/CT in the detection of both residual breast tumors and axillary lymph node metastases following neoadjuvant therapy. Thirty-seven consecutive breast cancer patients scheduled to surgery following neoadjuvant therapy preoperatively underwent a Tc-99m-tetrofosmin SPECT/CT study, using a dual head gamma camera integrated with a x-ray tube for low-dose CT, including both breasts and axillary regions in the field of view. Within 1 week of SPECT/CT, all 37 patients had breast surgery with associated axillary lymph node dissection in 33/37 cases. At surgery, 31/37 patients had breast residues (microscopic in 4/31 cases and macroscopic in 27/31 cases). Axillary lymph node metastases were ascertained in 19/33 cases (N1mi: 2 cases, N1a: 8 cases, N2a: 6 cases, N2b: 3 cases). SPECT/CT sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in detecting residual tumors were 87%, 100%, and 89.2%, respectively; the corresponding values in detecting axillary lymph node metastases were 36.8%, 92.8%, and 60.6%. SPECT/CT missed breast cancer residues in 4/31 patients, including 2 cases with microscopic residual disease. Moreover, lymph node metastases were missed in 12/19 patients (10/12 with pN1mi or pN1a metastases), all with lymph nodes with post-therapy fibrotic changes and small deposits of metastases. Tc-99m-tetrofosmin SPECT/CT proved a useful diagnostic tool in the detection and in the localization of residual breast tumors following neoadjuvant therapy. The procedure lacked in sensitivity in identifying axillary lymph node metastases, especially in patients with a limited lymph node involvement. According to our data, SPECT/CT may guide the surgeon to the most appropriate breast surgical treatment and to eventually select the most suitable axillary lymph node sampling (axillary lymph node dissection or sentinel node biopsy).     

Sentinel node detection in pre-operative axillary staging

The concept of sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer surgery is based on the fact that the tumour drains in a logical way via the lymphatic system, from the first to upper levels. Since axillary node dissection does not improve the prognosis of patients with breast cancer, sentinel lymph node biopsy might replace complete axillary dissection for staging of the axilla in clinically N0 patients. Sentinel lymph node biopsy would represent a significant advantage as a minimally invasive procedure, considering that about 70% of patients are found to be free from metastatic disease, yet axillary node dissection can lead to significant morbidity. Subdermal or peritumoural injection of small aliquots (and very low activity) of radiotracer is preferred to intratumoural administration, and (99m)Tc-labelled colloids with most of the particles in the 100-200 nm size range would be ideal for radioguided sentinel node biopsy in breast cancer. The success rate of radioguidance in localising the sentinel lymph node in breast cancer surgery is about 97% in institutions where a high number of procedures are performed, and the success rate of lymphoscintigraphy in sentinel node detection is about 100%. The sentinel lymph node should be processed for intraoperative frozen section examination in its entirety, based on conventional histopathology and, when necessary, immune staining with anti-cytokeratin antibody. Nowadays, lymphoscintigraphy is a useful procedure in patients with different clinical evidence of breast cancer.     

Sentinel node biopsy in male breast cancer

OBJECTIVE: Male breast cancer is a rare disease and axillary status is the most important prognostic indicator. Lymphoscintigraphy associated with gamma-probe guided surgery has been proved to reliably detect sentinel nodes in female patients with breast cancer. This study evaluates the feasibility of the surgical identification of sentinel node by using lymphoscintigraphy and a gamma-detecting probe in male patients, in order to select subjects who would be suitable for complete axillary lymphadenectomy. METHODS: Colloid human albumin labelled with 99Tc was administered to 18 male patients with breast cancer and clinically negative axillary lymph nodes. Lymphoscintigraphy was performed the day before surgery. An intraoperative gamma-detecting probe was used to identify sentinel nodes during surgery. RESULTS: Lymphoscintigraphy and biopsy of the sentinel node were successful in all cases. A total of 20 sentinel nodes were removed. Pathological examinations showed 11 infiltrating ductal carcinomas, two intraductal carcinomas and five intracystic papillary carcinomas. Six patients (33%) had positive sentinel node (micrometastases were found in three patients). These patients underwent axillary dissection; in five of them (83%) the sentinel node was the only positive node. Twelve patients (67%) showed negative sentinel nodes; in all of them no further surgical treatments were planned. CONCLUSIONS: As in women, lymphoscintigraphy and sentinel node biopsy under the guidance of a gamma-detecting probe proved to be an easy method for the detection of sentinel nodes in male breast carcinoma. In male patients with early stage cancer, sentinel node biopsy might represent the standard surgical procedure in order to avoid unnecessary morbidity after surgery, preserving accurate staging of the disease in the axilla.     

多效生长因子、基质金属蛋白酶2与浸润性乳腺癌临床病理特征的关系研究

目的研究多效生长因子(PTN)和基质金属蛋白酶2(MMP2)在乳腺癌中的表达与患者临床病理特征的相关性。方法收集103例浸润性乳腺癌初治病例的病理标本,其中三阴性乳腺癌(TNBC,即雌激素受体、孕激素受体和人类表皮生长因子受体2均为阴性表达)51例,非TNBC 52例,另取10例癌旁组织作为对照。利用免疫组织化学法检测PTN和MMP2的表达,分析其与乳腺癌患者临床病理特征(年龄、肿瘤大小、组织病理学分级和腋窝淋巴结转移)的相关性。结果 103例乳腺癌患者中,TNBC与非TNBC的发病年龄、肿瘤大小、腋窝淋巴结转移情况差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),组织病理学分级差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。103例乳腺癌中PTN的阳性表达率为83.5%(86/103),MMP2的阳性表达率为68%(70/103),且二者在TNBC及非TNBC患者中的表达差异无统计学意义。PTN和MMP2的表达均与乳腺癌患者的发病年龄、组织病理学分级、腋窝淋巴结转移相关,但二者在乳腺癌中表达的一致性较弱(Kappa系数=0.1817,95%CI=-0.0091~0.3726;Z=2.0212,P=0.0433)。结论在浸润性乳腺癌中,PTN、MMP2的表达与TNBC无关,与年龄、组织病理学分级、腋窝淋巴结转移相关;PTN与MMP2表达的一致性较弱。     

Preoperative radionuclide lymphangiography and sentinel node localization with radionuclide techniques. Advantages and ambiguous aspects

Axillary lymph node status is one of the most important prognostic factors for patients with melanoma and early breast cancer. Axillary lymph node dissection is an important part of the surgical treatment of breast cancer. As an alternative to axillary node dissection was proposed the sentinel lymph node detection (SLND). This technique was initially described for detecting occult lymph node metastasis in patients with melanoma and recently is used for breast cancer patients. Nowadays the radioisotopique techniques, including the lymphoscintigraphy and the intraoperative detection of SN, have received attention as a possible alternative to axillary lymph nodes dissection because of the clinical value of SN in malignancies and the development of technical equipment. We review the different techniques of preoperative lymphoscintigraphy and intraoperative detection of SN, including the radioisotopique tracers, timing and site of injection and the clinical value of both methods in patients with early breast cancer.