Prognostic significance of internal mammary lymph node metastases in breast cancer patients]

Examination was made of clinical, histological and biological prognostic factors in 207 patients with invasive breast cancer, and determination was made as to whether variable prognostic factors, especially internal mammary lymph node metastases, would serve as a basis for the prognosis of breast cancer. In a univariate study, overall survival was significantly corrected with tumor size, axillary lymph node status, axillary and internal mammary lymph node metastases and DNA ploidy status. In a multivariate study, however, only axillary and internal mammary lymph node metastases were recognized as important, and independent prognostic factors on survival. Neither axillary lymph node status nor DNA ploidy status appeared an important prognostic factor. Axillary and internal mammary lymph node metastases could not be predicted from their clinical assessment. Only axillary lymph node dissection and biopsy of first and second intercostal spaces were concluded to be useful for accurately indicating the status of these lymph nodes.     

Prognosis of breast cancer patients after mastectomy and dissection of internal mammary nodes.

The results of the analysis carried out on data on 1119 patients with operable breast cancer treated at the National Cancer Institute of Milan from 1965 to 1979 with enlarged mastectomy are reported. Metastases to internal mammary chain were found to be significantly associated with the maximum diameter of primary (16.1% for tumors less than 2 cm and 24.5% for larger tumors, p = 0.007), the age of the patients (27.6% in patients younger than 40 years, 19.7% in patients between 41-50 years, and 15.6% in patients older than 50 years, p = 0.01). The site of origin of the cancer had no impact on internal mammary node metastases. Patients with positive axillary nodes showed metastases to internal mammary nodes in 29.1% of the cases, while 9.1% of patients with axillary negative nodes had positive retrosternal nodes. Survival was significantly affected by the presence of positive internal mammary nodes: the percentage of 10-year survival varied from 80.4% in patients with axillary and internal mammary negative nodes to 30.0% in patients with both nodal basins involved. Intermediate survival rates (54.6% and 53.0%) were found when one or the other of the nodal stations (axillary and internal mammary) was separately affected. Maximum diameter of the primary significantly affected the survival of each group identified by the status of both axillary and internal mammary nodes. In conclusion, the information on the presence or absence of internal mammary node metastases would be of great importance in formulating the prognosis of breast cancer patients. To obtain this information, a biopsy at the first intercostal space may be reasonable in selected patients (age, maximum diameter, and axillary node involvement being the basis for selection) as long as noninvasive methods of diagnosis are available.     

Five year results of radical mastectomy for breast cancer,by a sternal splitting,intrapleuralen bloc resection of the internal mammary lymph nodes

A new operative method of extended radical mastectomy enables complete resection of the axillary and internal mammary lymph nodes. In this paper, we present the histological analysis of the internal mammary involvement, and the estimated 5 year survival rate, of 100 patients with breast cancer of Stage I, II or III, who underwent this operation. The incidences of axillary and internal mammary involvements were 41 per cent and 17 per cent, respectively. The metastases in the internal mammary lymph node chain were located from just below the supraclavicular vein to the third intercostal space along the internal mammary vessels. The types of lymphatic invasion observed in the internal mammary chain were lymph node metastases in 88 per cent, metastatic lesion in the lymphoid tissue in 29 per cent and cancer cell emboli in the lymphatic channel in 71 per cent. The overall estimated 5 year survival rate was 90.5 per cent. Where there was internal mammary involvement, the estimated 5 year survival rates for those with no axillary lymph node metastasis, those with fewer than 3 metastatic axillary lymph nodes, and those with more than 4 metastatic axillary lymph nodes were 100 per cent, 80 per cent and 31.2 per cent, respectively. Although the assumption that more aggressive surgical removal of the primary lesion and the regional lymphatic spread gives a higher cure rate has not been proved, this extended radical mastectomy with adjuvant chemoendocrine therapy seems to give a higher 5 year survival rate for patients with internal mammary involvement.     

乳腺癌内乳区前哨淋巴结活检术研究进展

内乳区淋巴结的转移状况是乳腺癌的独立预后指标,也：是乳腺癌淋巴分期的重要依据之一。内乳区淋巴结转移的患者预后较差。随着前哨淋巴结活检技术的不断发展和新型注射技术的出现,内乳区前哨淋巴结活检的显像率显著提高,经肋间行内乳区前哨淋巴结活检术可以最小的风险评估内乳区淋巴结状况,并进一步完善乳腺癌的淋巴结分期．有助于为患者制定更为准确的个体化治疗方案。     

The relationship between lymph node metastases and DNA-ploidy status as prognostic factors in invasive breast cancer

We evaluated the relationship between the regional lymph node metastases and the DNA ploidy status in 207 patients with invasive breast cancer, as well as their prognostic values in estimating the prognosis of breast cancer. A significantly higher incidence of aneuploidy was found in patients with a large T3 or T4 tumor, a positive axillary lymph node status, more than 4 positive axillary lymph nodes or positive internal mammary lymph nodes. In a univariate study, the overall survival was significantly correlated with tumor size, axillary lymph node status, axillary and internal mammary lymph node metastases, and DNA ploidy status. In the multivariate analysis, however, only axillary and internal mammary lymph node metastases were recognized as important independent prognostic factors on survival. In this series, the DNA ploidy status did not appear to be an independent prognostic factor either in the entire series or in negative axillary node patients, since it was closely correlated with the axillary or internal mammary lymph node metastases, and the axillary node negative patients had an extremely favorable prognosis.     

Predicting nodal metastases in breast cancer by lymphoscintigraphy

In a prospective trial, 89 women with breast lumps underwent bilateral axillary and internal mammary lymphoscintigraphy preoperatively, using technetium-99m antimony sulfide colloid. All scans were interpreted blindly by three separate observers. Breast biopsy was then performed; if the biopsy specimen showed malignant tumour, definitive therapy was performed with axillary dissection. The interpretation of the axillary and internal mammary lymphoscintigrams was subsequently compared with the histologic assessment of the axillary nodes. Of the 89 women, 54 had benign disease and 35 had cancer. The internal mammary lymphoscintigram was considered to show abnormality in only 1 of the 54 patients with benign disease. One patient with cancer was eliminated from the review. Sixteen of the remaining 34 patients had axillary node metastases. Of these, 8 had an abnormal internal mammary lymphoscintigram. Only 2 of the 18 patients with cancer but no axillary metastases had an abnormal internal mammary lymphoscintigram. One bilateral axillary lymphoscintigram in the 54 patients with benign disease was discarded for technical reasons. The axillary lymphoscintigram was accurate in 52 of the remaining 53 patients. Two such scintigrams in the 35 patients with breast cancer were discarded for technical reasons. The axillary lymphoscintigram indicated abnormalities in 12 of 16 patients with axillary nodal metastases but appeared normal in 13 of 17 patients without axillary metastases. Lymphoscintigraphy may play a valuable role in the staging of breast cancer in the future.     

内乳淋巴结活检在乳腺癌分期与辅助治疗中的价值

目的分析乳腺癌经肋间隙内乳淋巴结切除活检在乳腺癌分期与辅助治疗中的价值。方法回顾性分析济南军区总医院甲状腺乳腺外科2003年5月至2014年1月期间305例（根据是否行新辅助化疗分为新辅助化疗组和无新辅助化疗组）行乳腺癌各式改良根治术与经肋间隙内乳淋巴结切除活检患者的相关临床与病理资料,包括患者年龄、腋窝淋巴结、内乳淋巴结转移状况等信息,分析内乳淋巴结对乳腺癌分期与治疗的影响。结果新辅助化疗组共收集乳腺癌患者67例,发生腋窝淋巴结转移者45例（67．2％）,内乳淋巴结转移者23例（34．3％）;乳腺癌淋巴结病理（pN）分期改变者23例（34．3％）,乳腺癌肿瘤病理（pTNM）分期改变者8例（11．9％）。无新辅助化疗组共收集乳腺癌患者238例,发生腋窝淋巴结转移者155例（65．1％）,内乳淋巴结转移者30例（12．6％）;乳腺癌pN分期改变者30例（12．6％）,pTNM分期改变者23例（9。66％）。新辅助化疗组的内乳淋巴结转移率明显高于无新辅助化疗组（χ2=15．7,P〈0．05）,pTNM分期改变率也明显高于无新辅助化疗组贸（χ2=5．3,P〈0．05）。结论经肋间隙内乳淋巴结活检对乳腺癌pN分期、pTNM分期有一定的影响。新辅助化疗不能使所有内乳淋巴结转移癌达到病理完全缓解。经肋间隙内乳淋巴结活检不仅可完善乳腺癌pN和pTNM分期,而且能够指导乳腺癌术后辅助治疗,减少内乳区局部过度治疗,有助于乳腺癌患者个体化治疗。     

Five year results of radical mastectomy for breast cancer, by a sternal splitting, intrapleural en bloc resection of the internal mammary lymph nodes

A new operative method of extended radical mastectomy enables complete resection of the axillary and internal mammary lymph nodes. In this paper, we present the histological analysis of the internal mammary involvement, and the estimated 5 year survival rate, of 100 patients with breast cancer of Stage I, II or III, who underwent this operation. The incidences of axillary and internal mammary involvements were 41 per cent and 17 per cent, respectively. The metastases in the internal mammary lymph node chain were located from just below the supraclavicular vein to the third intercostal space along the internal mammary vessels. The types of lymphatic invasion observed in the internal mammary chain were lymph node metastases in 88 per cent, metastatic lesion in the lymphoid tissue in 29 per cent and cancer cell emboli in the lymphatic channel in 71 per cent. The overall estimated 5 year survival rate was 90.5 per cent. Where there was internal mammary involvement, the estimated 5 year survival rates for those with no axillary lymph node metastasis, those with fewer than 3 metastatic axillary lymph nodes, and those with more than 4 metastatic axillary lymph nodes were 100 per cent, 80 per cent and 31.2 per cent, respectively. Although the assumption that more aggressive surgical removal of the primary lesion and the regional lymphatic spread gives a higher cure rate has not been proved, this extended radical mastectomy with adjuvant chemoendocrine therapy seems to give a higher 5 year survival rate for patients with internal mammary involvement.     

Predictive value of parathyroid scintigraphy in the preoperative evaluation of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The surgical gold standard in primary hyperparathyroidism was until recently exploration of all four parathyroid glands. Today more patients undergo minimal invasive procedures demanding more accurate preoperative localization studies. The aim of the study was to determine the positive predictive value (PPV) of parathyroid scintigraphy (PS) and to some extent ultrasonography (US), defined as the probability of finding one single adenoma on the affected side at surgery when the scans had shown one single focus. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighty-eight surgically treated patients (76 women and 12 men, 8 with multiglandular disease) were included. The PS consisted of 99mTc-sestamibi scan with dual-phase technique, both planar and SPECT imaging, followed by 99mTc-pertechnetate scan. A positive scan was defined as a single focus accumulating sestamibi. Focal lesions on US were defined as hypoechoic nodules. RESULTS: PS was positive in 80 patients. Seventy-nine had only one focus, of which 64 were correctly localized adenomas (PPV 81%). Forty-seven of 77 US examinations were positive. In 44 there was only one focus of which 38 were correctly localized (PPV 86%). PPV was 97% when both examinations were positive. CONCLUSIONS: Both PS and US have acceptably high PPVs defined as the ability to predict whether or not one single focus represents a parathyroid adenoma. Concordant positive results were accompanied by a PPV close to 100%.     

An evaluation of radionuclide bone scanning and liver ultrasonography for staging breast cancer.

The use of nuclear bone scanning and liver ultrasonography to stage breast cancer is an established practice in many hospitals. A 3 year prospective study was undertaken to assess the usefulness of these two investigations. Three hundred and fifty-eight patients were analysed: 133 had stage I disease, 188 were stage II and 37 were stage III. Bone scans were performed on 339 (94.7%) patients; 302 had stage I or stage II disease; and 37 were stage III. Bone scans were positive for metastases in only 0.9% of stage I and II patients but were positive in 16.2% of patients with stage III disease. None of the 309 (96.2%) stage I or stage II patients who had an ultrasound scan had any liver metastases detected whereas positive scans were obtained in 5.4% of stage III patients. It can be concluded that the incidence of demonstrable bone or liver metastases in stage I and stage II breast cancer patients is so low that the use of routine scanning can be abandoned.     

AN EVALUATION OF RADIONUCLIDE BONE SCANNING AND LIVER ULTRASONOGRAPHY FOR STAGING BREAST CANCER

The use of nuclear bone scanning and liver ultrasonography to stage breast cancer is an established practice in many hospitals. A 3 year prospective study was undertaken to assess the usefulness of these two investigations. Three hundred and fifty-eight patients were analysed: 133 had stage 1 disease, 188 were stage 11 and 37 were stage III. Bone scans were performed on 339 (94.7%) patients; 302 had stage I or stage II disease: and 37 were stage III. Bone scans were positive for metastases in only 0.9% of stage I and II patients but were positive in 16.2% of patients with stage III disease. None of the 309 (96.2%) stage I or stage II patients who had an ultrasound scan had any liver metastases detected whereas positive scans were obtained in 5.4% of stage III patients. It can be concluded that the incidence of demonstrable bone or liver metastases in stage I and stage II breast cancer patients is so low that the use of routine scanning can be abandoned.     

Halsted Revisited: Internal Mammary Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Breast Cancer

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of internal mammary sentinel lymph node biopsy as a method to refine and thereby improve nodal staging in breast cancer. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The internal mammary lymph node status is a major prognostic factor in breast cancer. If positive, prognosis is less favorable. However, staging this regional nodal basin is not performed routinely, thus discarding additional staging information. METHODS: In a consecutive series of 256 patients with primary breast cancer, sentinel node biopsy was performed based on lymphoscintigraphy, intraoperative gamma probe detection, and blue dye mapping using 10 mCi (370 MBq) (99m)Tc-nanocolloid injected peritumorally and 0.5 to 1.0 mL Patent Blue V injected intradermally. During surgery, whenever possible, both axillary and internal mammary sentinel nodes were sampled. RESULTS: Lymphoscintigraphy showed axillary sentinel nodes in 95% (243/256) and additional internal mammary sentinel nodes in 25.3% (65/256). The overall success rate of axillary sentinel node biopsy was 97% (249/256). Sampling the internal mammary basin, based on the results of lymphoscintigraphy, was successful in 63% (41/65). In three patients a small pleural lesion resulted from staging this basin. This technique revealed internal mammary metastases in 26.8% (11/41). In 7.3% (3/41), internal mammary nodes showed metastatic involvement without accompanying axillary metastases. CONCLUSIONS: Internal mammary sentinel node biopsy is feasible without serious additional complications. It improves nodal staging in breast cancer by identifying higher-risk subgroups with internal mammary nodal metastases, which might benefit from altered adjuvant treatment regimens.     

Radical mastectomy with intrapleural en bloc resection of internal mammary lymphnode by sternal splitting

An operative method of extended radical mastectomy involving intrapleuralen bloc resection of the internal mammary lymphnodes by sternal split was proposed. The operation enables complete resection of axillary and internal mammary lymphnodes. Seventy patients with primary breast cancer underwent the extended operation and two patients with recurence in the internal mammary lymphnode chain following standard radical mastectomy underwent resection of internal mammary lymphnodes by sternal split, with no fatalities and no increase in postoperative disabilities. Metastases to the internal mammary lymphnode chain were histopathologically found in 14 of 70 patients with primary breast cancer and in two with recurrence in the internal mammary lymphnode chain, following standard radical mastectomy; The location of the metastatic internal mammary lymphnodes was from just below the subclavicular vein to the third intercostal space along the internal mammary vessels. Cancer cells were seen not only in the lymphnodes, but also in lymphatics of areolar tissue near the node or in lymphatics between the parietal pleura and endothoracic fascia in patients with primary breast cancer. And cancer invasion to parietal pleura was seen in patients with recurrence in the internal mammary lymphnode chain following standard radical mastectomy. All these findings indicate the rationality of our extended procedures.     

经肋间隙探查定位于内乳区的前哨淋巴结对乳腺癌淋巴分期的影响

目的 探讨乳腺癌前哨淋巴结在内乳区时对其探查与否对淋巴结分期的影响。方法 2006-01—2016-01间,对501例c T1-4N0-1M0期乳腺癌患者进行前哨淋巴结探查术,发现有蓝染淋巴管通向内乳区的患者,经肋间隙入路行内乳区前哨淋巴结活检术(IM-SLNB)+腋窝前哨淋巴结探查+改良根治术100例为A组;行腋窝前哨淋巴结探查+改良根治术401例为B组。观察A组经肋间隙入路IM-SLNB的病理结果与假设该组病例不探查相对比,了解探查对其淋巴分期的影响。观察经肋间隙入路的IMSLNB对手术时间、出血、并发症及恢复等的影响。结果 A组探查发现内乳区淋巴结癌转移19例相对于假设不探查为0例,其淋巴结分期修正率19.0%,(P0.05)有统计学意义;经肋间隙入路IM-SLNB阶段所用时间(23.93±5.89)min;仅1例术中胸廓内动脉出血,切断肋软骨显露血管后结扎止血,出血量约10~20 m L,其余99例均5 m L;胸膜破损0例、气胸0例;术后并发症和愈合时间与B组无统计学差异(P0.05)。结论 选择乳腺癌前哨淋巴结在内乳区时对其进行探查其阳性率高,有助于淋巴结准确分期;经肋间隙入路的内乳区淋巴结探查,创伤小、风险小、不增加并发症。     

Lymphoscintigraphic visualization of internal mammary nodes with subtumoral injection of radiocolloid in patients with breast cancer

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether subtumoral injection of radiocolloid is useful for lymphoscintigraphic visualization of the internal mammary node and in sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy of the axilla in breast cancer patients. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The presence of retromammary lymphatics connecting to the axillary and internal mammary basins has been demonstrated by early anatomic studies. Thus, it is hypothesized that some lymph, especially that from the parenchyma under the tumor, may drain into both the axillary and internal mammary basins. METHODS: Patients (n = 196) with T1-2, N0 breast cancer underwent preoperative lymphoscintigraphy with radiocolloid (technetium 99m tin colloid) injection into various sites of the breast, followed by SLN biopsy using the combined method with blue dye. Patients were divided into four groups: group A (n = 41), peritumoral injection of both radiocolloid and blue dye; group B (n = 70), periareolar radiocolloid and peritumoral blue dye; group C (n = 45), intradermal radiocolloid and periareolar blue dye; and group D (n = 40), subtumoral radiocolloid and intradermal blue dye. A retrospective analysis of 1,297 breast cancer patients who underwent extended radical mastectomy with internal mammary node dissection was also conducted to determine the relationship between vertical tumor location (superficial or deep) and frequency of axillary and internal mammary node metastases. RESULTS: One patient (2%) in group A, 3 (4%) in group B, 0 (0%) in group C, and 15 (38%) in group D exhibited hot spots in the internal mammary region on lymphoscintigraphy (P <.001, group D vs. the other groups). The concordance rate of radiocolloid and blue dye methods in detection of SLNs in the axillary basin was significantly lower in group D than in the other groups. In contrast, the mismatch rate (some SLNs were identified by radiocolloid and other SLNs were identified by blue dye, but no SLN was identified by both in the same patient) was significantly higher in group D than in the other groups. In patients treated with extended radical mastectomy, positivity of axillary and internal mammary metastases was significantly higher in patients (n = 215) with deep tumors than those (n = 368) with superficial tumors. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest the presence of a retromammary lymphatic pathway from the deep portion of the breast to both axillary and internal mammary basins, which is distinct from the superficial pathway. Therefore, SLN biopsy with a combination of subtumoral and other (peritumoral, dermal, or areolar) injections of radiocolloid will improve both axillary and internal mammary nodal staging.     

Preoperative Identification of the Sentinel Lymph Node in Breast Cancer

Background Preoperative diagnosis of sentinel lymph node (SLN) metastasis would justify a single axillary operation. We hypothesized that ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy (USGCNB) of a morphologically normal or abnormal lymph node in the anatomic position of the SLN would accomplish this goal. Methods A total of 179 clinically N0 breast cancer patients underwent high-resolution lower axillary ultrasound (US) evaluation with core needle biopsy and microclip placement of a node when feasible. SLN biopsy was performed in 131 patients and the node X-rayed when appropriate. The node was removed surgically, and the one identified and analyzed preoperatively was compared with it clinically, radiologically and/or pathologically. Results A node was seen on US in 145 (81%) of 179 patients, and a core needle biopsy was performed in 121 patients. A total of 3.5 ± 1.38 (mean ± SD) core samples were obtained per node. Of those node biopsy samples, 55 (45.5%) had metastases. Metastasis size was 14.9 ± 10.1 mm. Metastases were found in 9 (13.6%) of 66 patients in whom the needle core was negative; in these falsely negative biopsy samples, the node metastases were 8.73 ± 6.24 mm (P = .120). Eight (33.3%) of 24 nodes that did not undergo biopsy had metastases. Seven (20.6%) of 34 of those not seen on US had SLN metastases. In 47 (78.3%) of 60 patients, the node that underwent core needle biopsy was the SLN found by the surgeon during surgery (P < .001). Conclusions Preoperative identification, core needle biopsy, and documentation of metastasis in the first SLN in breast cancer was achieved by focused lower ipsilateral axillary US. Knowledge of the lymph node status might change the patient’s planned surgery.     

A multivariate study of the relationship between regional lymph node metastases and prognosis in patients with operable breast cancer.

In order to evaluate the prognostic importance of clinical and histological node information, we made univariate and multivariate analyses of regional lymph node metastases in 223 patients with operable breast cancer who were surgically treated from 1973 to 1985. Clinical axillary node status, histological involvement of the axillary lymph nodes, their anatomical levels and numbers, and histological involvement of the internal mammary lymph nodes were selected as evaluating prognostic factors. The histological presence or absence of axillary node involvement, especially at the distal level, proved to be the most important prognostic factor. However, neither the anatomical level nor the number of histologically involved axillary lymph nodes appeared to be an important prognostic factor. On the other hand, histological involvement of the internal mammary nodes appeared to be an important and independent prognostic factor. Therefore, we concluded that axillary lymph node dissection with a biopsy of the internal mammary nodes would provide more accurate information about the prognosis of patients with operable breast cancer.     

18-Fluorodeoxyglucose-Positron Emission Tomography <Emphasis Type="Bold">in Inflammatory Breast Cancer</Emphasis>

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is the most aggressive form of locally advanced breast cancer. It can be diagnosed based on a clinical or pathologic basis. We evaluated the usefulness of ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) scans for diagnosing and staging IBC. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of seven consecutive patients with IBC who underwent FDG-PET scanning for the initial staging. Four patients had follow-up PET scans after chemotherapy. All seven patients presented with diffuse breast enlargement, redness, and peau dorange for 1 to 5 months duration. In addition, four patients had a palpable breast mass, and three had axillary lymph node enlargement. Mammography showed diffuse, increased parenchymal density and skin thickening in 85% and parenchymal distortion in 43%. There was no evidence of distant metastasis on computed tomography of the chest or abdomen. Pathologic examination of breast biopsy specimens showed infiltrating ductal carcinoma in six patients, and one had lobular carcinoma. All patients had prechemotherapy whole-body PET scans that showed diffuse FDG uptake in the breast with superimposed intense foci in the primary tumor. Furthermore, there was skin enhancement in 100%, axillary lymph node in 85%, and skeletal metastases in 14% of the patients, confirmed by bone scintigraphy. Postchemotherapy FDG-PET scans performed in four patients showed response in the primary tumor, axillary lymph nodes, and skeletal metastases. The FDG-PET scan is thus useful for displaying the pattern of FDG breast uptake that reflects the extent of the pathologic involvement in IBC (i.e., diffuse breast involvement and dermal lymphatic spread). It can also detect the presence of lymph node and skeletal metastases, demarcating the extent of the disease locally as well as distally.     

Breast cancer and regional lymph node dissections

Regional lymph node metastases were evaluated in 289 patients with operable breast cancer. The metastases of the axillary and internal mammary lymph node were shown to be closely related to the survival of patients, but the status of these nodes was shown to be impossible to estimate before the operation. Thus, axillary and internal mammary node dissections seem to be very important in order to attain an acceptable amount of information for staging of certain breast cancer patients. Due to the radicality of operations including internal mammary node dissection, the use of modified extended mastectomy is proposed as the staging operation. In this manner, the anterior chest deformity created by an extended radical mastectomy can be avoided and the pectoralis major muscle spared in patients without internal mammary lymph node involvement. Also found in this study, was some evidence of the beneficial use of en bloc extended radical mastectomy for the survival of a selected group of patients.     

Thoracoscopic internal mammary sentinel node biopsy: an animal model of a new technique

BACKGROUND: The nodal status remains the most important prognostic factor in breast cancer. While evaluation of the axillary lymph nodes remains a standard of practice, evaluation of the internal mammary lymph nodes is no longer routinely performed. In the era of extensive radical mastectomies, it was shown that up to 40% of breast cancer patients had nodal metastases in the internal mammary chain. This resulted in up to 10% of presumed "node-negative" patients actually being node-positive when the internal mammary nodes were examined. In the era of sentinel node biopsies, hot internal mammary nodes on lymphoscintigraphy are sometimes encountered and confusion exists regarding the appropriate approach to these nodes. New advances in endoscopic surgery have enabled a minimally invasive approach to the mediastinum. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of thoracoscopic internal mammary sentinel node biopsy in an animal model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five farm pigs were injected with isosulphan blue under the right upper nipple. After a sentinel node was identified, it was dissected thoracoscopically. RESULTS: In all the animals, an internal mammary blue node was easily identified 1-5 min after the injection and dissected with thoracoscopic instruments without significant damage to other thoracic structures. The procedure length averaged 30 to 60 min. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracoscopic internal mammary sentinel node biopsies are feasible, short, easy to perform, minimally invasive, and well focused toward a sentinel node. Well-planned phase I studies should be initiated to further evaluate this new technique.