Breast cancer diagnosis and prognosis in women augmented with silicone gel-filled implants

From 1981 through 1988, 35 patients with prior augmentation mammoplasty were treated for breast carcinoma. Thirty-two patients had unilateral infiltrating carcinomas; three had noninvasive (in situ) lesions. Thirty-four of 35 (97%) lesions were palpable. One noninvasive cancer was occult, discovered mammographically in the absence of physical findings. Prebiopsy mammography was performed in 29 patients with palpable masses and failed to reveal an abnormality in 12 patients, a false-negative rate of 41%. Fifteen patients were treated with mastectomy; the remaining 20 with breast preservation. Thirty-two patients underwent axillary node dissection; 15 (47%) patients had lymph node metastases. There have been seven (20%) recurrences: one local and six metastatic. Four (11%) patients have died. The median follow-up time is 48 months. Women, previously augmented with silicone gel-filled implants, who develop breast cancer are similar in terms of nodal positivity and prognosis, to nonaugmented breast cancer patients who present with palpable masses. When compared with nonaugmented women whose cancers were found with screening mammography, augmented patients with breast cancer present with a higher percentage of invasive lesion and involved axillary lymph nodes, resulting in a poorer prognosis.     

隐匿性乳腺癌的诊断和治疗

目的 探讨隐匿性乳腺癌的诊断、治疗及预后.方法 收集23例隐匿性乳腺癌患者的临床和随访资料,并进行分析.结果 23例患者均为女性,平均57.7岁.术前行影像学检查22例,其中行乳腺超声检查17例,8例发现可疑结节;行乳腺钼靶摄片9例,阳性3例;行乳腺MRI检查2例,1例发现异常钙化.20例行同侧乳腺癌改良根治术,16例进行化疗,4例放疗.随访期间,2例患者发生肺转移,其中1例多处转移.结论 术前排除其他部位原发癌的可能后,表现为腋窝淋巴结转移癌的患者即可诊断隐匿性乳腺癌.对隐匿性乳腺癌,乳腺必须进行治疗,可行乳腺癌改良根治术或腋窝淋巴结清扫+全乳放疗.     

Breast magnetic resonance imaging: An essential role in malignant axillary lymphadenopathy of unknown origin

The aim of this retrospective case series was to assess the role of breast MRI in the investigation of ‘occult’ malignancy, and the associated potential to influence patient management. Between January 2000 and March 2004, 18 patients, who presented with axillary lymphadenopathy, most likely due to ‘occult’ breast cancer, were examined with MRI of the breast. The results showed 12 true positives, four true negatives, and two false positives. This gave an overall sensitivity of 85.7% and an overall accuracy of 86.7%. In those in whom malignancy was identified on MRI and subsequently proven histologically, 78% of these cancers were identified, and localized by preoperative MRI‐guided sonography. In addition, 55% of these patients were eligible for conservative surgery. As such, MRI of the breast is highly sensitive for the detection of mammographically and clinically occult breast cancer. The use of MRI enables a preoperative diagnosis to be made in a high percentage of patients and may allow retrospective targeted ultrasound localization. Definitive surgical planning, including the option of breast conservation, is made possible with the result of the MRI examination.     

Metachronous secondary primary occult breast cancer initially presenting with metastases to the contralateral axillary lymph nodes: report of a case

We report a rare case of a 64-year-old female with metachronous secondary primary left occult breast cancer initially presenting right axillary lymph node metastases. The patient, who had received breast-conserving therapy for left breast cancer at another hospital about 4.5 years ago, came to our hospital complaining of right axillary node swelling. After both breast and systemic examination, she received complete right axillary lymph node dissection. Just after the operation, she was diagnosed with right occult breast cancer by a review of the right axillary lymph nodes and previous left breast cancer. She was followed by radiation and systemic chemoendocrine therapies. One year after axillary lymph node dissection, mammography and ultrasonography showed a new lesion in her left breast. Core needle biopsy revealed similar findings to right axillary lymph node metastasis. After salvage surgery, the diagnosis was revised. We recommend that patients without clinical findings except for axillary lymph node metastasis, especially post-breast-conserving surgery followed by radiation therapy, should be considered not only as having ipsilateral but also contralateral occult breast cancer. If there is no evidence of a primary lesion, axillary lymph node dissection needs to be carried out, and the patient should be offered the choice of radiation therapy or mastectomy followed by proper systemic therapy.     

Is It Contralateral Axillary Metastasis or Occult Breast Cancer?: A Confusing Case Report

We report the case of a 43-year-old woman with primary left breast cancer presenting metastatic lymphadenopathy in the contralateral axilla. This patient represents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge because primary breast cancer, occult contralateral breast cancer, and extra-mammary primary lesion can all be the source of the contralateral axillary metastasis. Left breast-conserving surgery, left sentinel lymph node biopsy, right breast mass excision, and right axillary lymph node dissection were performed. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the left breast cancer specimen was positive for estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR), but negative for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). In contrast, the right axillary lymphadenopathy specimen was negative for ER and PR, but positive for HER2. Further investigation revealed no evidence of occult primary cancers or extra-mammary tumors. After surgical intervention, the patient was treated with adjuvant chemotherapy, adjuvant radiation therapy, and targeted therapy with trastuzumab. Two years after diagnosis, she is free of disease and presently being treated with tamoxifen.Key Words: Breast carcinoma, Occult primary tumor, Contralateral axillary lymph node metastasis, Immunohistochemistry     

Breast MRI in clinically and mammographically occult breast cancer presenting with an axillary metastasis: A systematic review

Background

Axillary metastatic lymphadenopathy with no primary tumour identified in the breast on physical examination, mammography or ultrasound is referred to as occult breast cancer. The goal of this systematic review is to give an overview of the value and additional considerations of using breast MRI in occult breast cancer.

Methods

The databases of Pubmed, Embase, CINAHL and the Cochrane library were searched for studies addressing the use of breast MRI in occult breast cancer. Cross-referencing was used to find additional articles.

Results

8 retrospective studies were included. Breast MRI can detect an otherwise occult breast cancer in more than two thirds of patients with a high sensitivity but lower specificity. In 80% of patients MRI detected lesions could be localized again by using ultrasound. Furthermore the size and localization of the lesions found on MRI most often correlated closely with findings at pathology. Breast MRI also provided the possibility of breast conserving surgery in one thirds of patients.

Conclusion

Breast MRI can result in additional detection of otherwise occult lesions in occult breast cancer. Because of low specificity of malignant lesion detection by breast MRI, lesions should be histologically confirmed. This can be achieved either by MRI or ultrasound guided biopsy, as long as all MRI detected lesions are histologically checked. Routine application of breast MRI in occult breast cancer may also alter locoregional treatment by offering the possibility of breast conserving surgery in one thirds of patients.     

Breast conservation treatment for patients presenting with axillary lymphadenopathy from presumed primary breast cancer: the role of breast magnetic resonance imaging for staging

Three female patients presented with malignant axillary lymphadenopathy presumed to be from primary breast cancer. No evidence of primary cancer was found in the breast on either mammography or breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). All 3 patients underwent axillary lymph node dissection and systemic chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy to the breast and regional lymph nodes. Two patients remain relapse free with a follow-up of 3.7 years each. The third patient achieved locoregional control in the ipsilateral breast and regional lymph nodes but relapsed in the contralateral axilla. These 3 cases illustrate the potential for breast conservation treatment for patients presenting with axillary adenopathy from a presumed primary breast cancer but without either mammographic or breast MRI findings.     

The clinical value of preoperative wire localization of breast lesions by magnetic resonance imaging--a multicenter study

To evaluate the clinical value of MRI guided preoperative wire localization of clinically and mammographically occult lesions of the breast. In a multicenter study, we evaluated 132 preoperative MRI guided localizations. Median lesion size evaluated by MRI prior to wire localization was 9 2–30 mm. MRI guided localization was successfully performed in 96.2% of cases. Median wire deviation from the lesion was 0 (0–10) mm. Moderate bleeding with no further treatment required occurred in three patients. We conclude that MRI guided preoperative wire localization is a safe and accurate procedure in cases of clinically and mammographically occult lesions of the breast.     

MRI in the detection and management of breast cancer

Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is now at a stage where the evidence is suggesting widespread potential in the management of patients with known or suspected breast cancers. MRI is used as a supplementary tool to complement conventional methods of breast evaluation because it has excellent problem-solving capabilities. Many indications for clinical breast MRI are recognized, including resolving findings on mammography, staging of breast cancer when multiple or bilateral disease is suspected, and detecting the occult primary breast cancer presenting with malignant axillary lymphadenopathy but no detectable lesion on conventional breast examination. There is also encouraging ongoing research evaluating its role for the assessment of patients at high risk of breast cancer, for primary staging of cancers in radiographically dense breasts and for the assessment of response to chemotherapy. This article will review both the technical aspects of performing and interpreting breast MRI, as well as the current and possible future roles of breast MRI, comparing its strengths and weaknesses with conventional imaging.     

MRI in the detection and management of breast cancer

Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is now at a stage where the evidence is suggesting widespread potential in the management of patients with known or suspected breast cancers. MRI is used as a supplementary tool to complement conventional methods of breast evaluation because it has excellent problem-solving capabilities. Many indications for clinical breast MRI are recognized, including resolving findings on mammography, staging of breast cancer when multiple or bilateral disease is suspected, and detecting the occult primary breast cancer presenting with malignant axillary lymphadenopathy but no detectable lesion on conventional breast examination. There is also encouraging ongoing research evaluating its role for the assessment of patients at high risk of breast cancer, for primary staging of cancers in radiographically dense breasts and for the assessment of response to chemotherapy. This article will review both the technical aspects of performing and interpreting breast MRI, as well as the current and possible future roles of breast MRI, comparing its strengths and weaknesses with conventional imaging.     

56例隐匿性乳腺癌临床病理特征分析及诊疗策略探讨

背景与目的：隐匿性乳腺癌发病隐匿,诊断困难,治疗策略不确定,是乳腺癌领域的难点和热点。本研究探讨了隐匿性乳腺癌的临床病理特征及诊疗策略。方法：对56例隐匿性乳腺癌患者在术前采用乳腺彩超、钼靶、磁共振及PET/CT检查,对比不同检查方法对隐匿性乳腺癌可疑原发灶检出率及病理符合率的差异。治疗方案采用新辅助化疗、乳腺癌改良根治术、保乳+腋窝淋巴结清扫术、腋窝淋巴结清扫术,术后行化疗+放疗。结果：乳腺超声、X线、MRI、PET/CT对乳腺可疑原发灶的检出率分别为7.14%（4/56）、29.41%（15/51）、37.50%（18/48）和16.28%（7/43）;结合术后病理学检查发现其病理符合率分别为66.67%（2/3）、50.00%（7/14）、50.00%（9/18）和50.00%（3/6）;26例患者乳腺超声、X线及MRI均未发现可疑原发灶,其中21例接受病理学检查,阳性率为14.29%（3/21）;对39例乳腺癌改良根治术标本行乳腺病理切片检查,检出原发灶15例,检出率38.46%。根据St. Gallen指南分子分型标准,Luminal A型、Luminal B型、HER-2阳性型和三阴性型比例分别为7.14%、46.43%、12.50%和33.93%。术后随访52例,随访时间10~104个月,中位时间35个月,复发转移4例,死亡0例。检出原发灶的15例患者中,复发或转移2例;未检出原发灶的24例患者中,无复发或转移;行新辅助化疗17例,达病理学完全缓解（pathological complete response,PCR）2例,复发或转移2例;行乳腺癌改良根治术39例,复发或转移2例;行保乳+腋窝清扫8例,复发或转移2例;腋窝清扫9例,无复发或转移。结论：乳腺MRI检查在隐匿性乳腺癌的排除性诊断中有重要价值;乳腺超声、X线及MRI均未发现可疑原发灶的患者其乳腺病理原发灶检出率较低;隐匿性乳腺癌的治疗策略可选择新辅助化疗、乳腺癌改良根治术、保乳+腋窝清扫术、腋窝清扫术;乳腺病理学未检出原发灶的患者复发转移率低于检出原发灶者。     

Detection of primary breast cancer presenting as metastatic carcinoma of unknown primary origin by 111 In-pentetreotide scan

Women with isolated metastatic carcinoma or adenocarcinoma involving axillary lymph nodes are a well-recognized group of unknown primary carcinoma (UPC) patients with a favorable prognosis. This group of patients are generally treated based on the assumption that they have occult breast cancer. However, to facilitate patient access to the whole spectrum of therapies available for patients with breast cancer, including strategies involving the use of high-dose chemotherapy, a precise diagnosis is increasingly important. In this clinical case we report the detection of a primary breast cancer by ¹¹¹In-pentetreotide scanning in a woman who presented with metastatic carcinoma in axillary nodes, no palpable breast lesion, a nondiagnostic mammogram, and negative breast ultrasonography.Previous outcomes analysis of patients with UPC have emphasized the value of identifying women with breast cancer. This report suggests that the¹¹¹ In-pentetreotide scan can contribute specific, clinically useful information in the evaluation of women presenting with metastatic carcinoma in axillary nodes and an occult primary and deserves prospective study in women with UPC presenting with isolated axillary metastases.     

Local control of advanced breast cancer with mohs'paste

We report two cases of primary advanced breast cancer that was locally controlled by using Mohs'paste. CASE 1: A 70- year-old woman was suffering massive exudates and offensive smell from her right giant breast tumor. Histopathological examination showed an invasive ductal carcinoma. However, she didn't have distant metastases. The patient received chemotherapy and the breast tumor has been fixed using Mohs'paste, and dissected. The giant tumor became flat and dry, so we could perform a radical operation. Then, she had contra-lateral axillary lymph node metastases. We performed a resection of left axillary lymph node and radiation therapy. After two years, we have not found a new lesion. CASE 2: A 54-year- old woman with right local advanced breast cancer discharged massive exudates and oozed blood. Histopathologically, she had an invasive ductal carcinoma. Moreover, she had lung and contra-lateral axillary lymph node metastases. She received chemotherapy and the breast tumor has been fixed using Mohs'paste, and dissected. The bleeding and exudates stopped almost completely, and the breast tumor became flat and dry. Both patients had experienced a mild pain, but their QOL improved remarkably. It is suggested that the patient with local advanced breast cancer may be controlled by using Mohs' paste.     

Prognostic significance of occult axillary lymph node metastases after chemotherapy‐induced pathologic complete response of cytologically proven axillary lymph node metastases from breast cancer

BACKGROUND:

Primary systemic chemotherapy has been a standard of care for the management of locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) patients and has increasingly been used for patients with large operable breast cancer. Pathologic complete response (pCR) of axillary lymph node metastases predicted an excellent probability of long‐term disease‐free and overall survival. Although the clinical significance of occult lymph node metastases in patients with breast cancer was extensively studied, their prognostic value in patients with LABC after primary chemotherapy was not known. This study evaluated the detection rate and clinical significance of occult lymph node metastases in lymph nodes that contained metastatic carcinoma at the time of initial diagnosis and converted to negative based on routine pathologic examination after primary systemic chemotherapy.

METHODS:

Fifty‐one patients with LABC and cytologically involved axillary lymph nodes that converted to negative after preoperative chemotherapy were identified from 2 prospective clinical trials. All lymph node sections were reviewed, 1 deeper level hematoxylin and eosin‐stained section of each lymph node was obtained and immunohistochemical staining for cytokeratin (CK) was performed. A total of 762 lymph nodes were evaluated for occult metastases. Kaplan‐Meier survival curves were used for calculating disease‐free and overall survival times.

RESULTS:

Occult axillary lymph node metastases were identified in 8 of 51 (16%) patients. In 6 patients, occult metastases were found in only 1 lymph node. In 7 patients, only isolated CK‐positive cells were identified. In all cases, occult carcinoma cells were embedded within areas of fibrosis, foreign body giant cell reaction, and extensive histiocytosis. Patients with occult lymph node metastases tended to have a higher frequency of residual primary breast tumors than those without occult metastases (4 of 8 vs 7 of 43, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference in disease‐free or overall survival times between patients with and without occult metastases after a median follow‐up 63 months.

CONCLUSIONS:

Persistent occult axillary lymph node metastases were not uncommon in patients with axillary lymph node‐positive LABC who experienced a pCR in involved lymph nodes after preoperative chemotherapy. However, such occult metastases did not adversely affect the good prognosis associated with axillary lymph node pCR. Therefore, routine lymph node CK evaluation was not recommended after primary chemotherapy. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.     

Prognosis of occult breast carcinoma presenting as isolated axillary nodal metastasis

Axillary metastasis from an occult breast carcinoma is an uncommon presentation and presents a therapeutic dilemma. The objective of this study is to describe the presenting clinical features, management approach and treatment outcomes for occult breast carcinoma. We conducted a retrospective review of patients who presented with axillary nodal metastases from an occult breast carcinoma between 1997 and 2004 at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute; 2,150 patients were diagnosed and treated for breast cancer during this period. After excluding stage I and IV patients, we identified 642 who had disease metastatic to lymph nodes, 10 of these had no primary tumor in the breast despite a thorough evaluation including bilateral mammography and breast ultrasound. Of these, 7 had undergone breast magnetic resonance imaging as well. All patients underwent axillary nodal dissection. The breast was managed with radiotherapy alone in 8 patients, wide local excision with radiation therapy in 1 patient and 1 patient underwent mastectomy. No patient had a recurrence with a median 57 months of follow-up. Breast conservation with radiation therapy alone can be considered as a management option for women with occult breast cancer presenting with axillary nodal metastasis.     

Hooked-wire-directed breast biopsy and overpenetrated mammography

Six hundred fifty-three biopsies were performed for clinically occult, mammographically detected breast abnormalities. One hundred forty-seven cancers (22.5%) were found. Eighty-nine of those cancers (60.5%) were noninvasive. None of the in situ lesions had involved axillary lymph nodes. Of the 58 invasive cancers, only six (10.3%) had metastases to axillary nodes. Fifty-four patients (36.7%) were treated by mastectomy while 93 patients (63.3%) were treated conservatively, 20 by biopsy only, and 73 by lumpectomy, axillary node dissection, and radiation therapy. Only four patients (0.7%) had significant complications.     

隐匿性乳腺癌36例诊治分析

回顾分析临沂市肿瘤医院乳腺外科收治的36例隐匿性乳腺癌(OBC)患者的临床资料,并结合文献进行讨论。所有病例腋下肿物均经切检病理确诊。乳腺钼靶检查2例诊断为乳腺癌,3例患者为可疑乳腺癌;乳房彩超检查1例诊为乳腺癌,3例患者为可疑乳腺癌。行改良根治术28例,乳腺癌根治术4例,保留乳房手术2例,腋窝淋巴结清除加全乳放疗2例。30例患者获得随访,15例生存时间>5年。回顾分析结果提示,对腋下肿块应行切除活检以明确诊断;乳腺钼靶、彩超及腋下肿物激素受体检测有一定价值;乳腺核磁共振扫描能够提高OBC的检出率。手术方式宜采用改良根治术或保留乳房后全乳照射,并辅以化疗及内分泌治疗等以提高长期生存率。     

Clinical Significance of Occult Micrometastases in Axillary Lymph Nodes in "Node-negative" Breast Cancer Patients

The most important subgroup of breast cancer patients for whom reliable prognostic indicators are needed is women without axillary lymph node metastases. We evaluated the clinical significance of occult micrometastases in axillary lymph nodes in 148 consecutive "node-negative" breast cancer patients. The median age of the patients at surgery was 52 years and the median follow-up period after surgery was 98.5 months. Occult micrometastases were detected in 21 of 148 patients (14.2%) by means of immunohistochemical analysis using AE1/3 antibody and a single unstained section after routine histopathological examination. Log-rank tests indicated that the 7–year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates by Kaplan-Meier methods were significantly better in patients without occult micrometastases than in patients with occult micrometastases [DFS, 93% versus 71% ( P =0.0009); OS, 96% versus 76% ( P =0.0001)]. According to Cox's multivariate analysis, the presence of occult micrometastases had the most significant effect on DFS ( P =0.0053) and OS ( P =0.0035). These findings suggest that the presence of occult micrometastases is an independent and significant predictor of clinical outcome, and that their immunohistochemical detection after routine histopathological examination is useful for selecting the "node-negative" breast cancer patient subgroup at high risk for relapse and death.     

Radiological imaging features of invasive micropapillary carcinoma of the breast and axillary lymph nodes

Invasive micropapillary carcinoma of the breast is of growing clinical significance. The purpose of this study was to identify the radiological imaging features for this type of breast carcinoma and the axillary lymph nodes. The study population consisted of 30 breast cancer patients (8 invasive micropapillary carcinomas and 22 other types of invasive ductal carcinoma). The breast lesions were evaluated with mammography, ultrasonography, and contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) prior to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The pathological outcome of the axillary lymph nodes in 27 patients was correlated with the sonographic findings. Only contrast-enhanced MRI showed characteristic findings for invasive micropapillary carcinoma. Although invasive micropapillary carcinoma is commonly irregular in shape (7/8) compared with other types of invasive carcinoma (6/22) (p=0.012, chi(2) test), a careful interpretation of radiological imaging to identify lesion borders helped the complete clearance of cancer cells from 6/8 patients with invasive micropapillary carcinoma in one-time breast conservative surgery. The positive and negative predictive values of sonography in diagnosing axillary lymph node metastases in cases of invasive micropapillary carcinoma were 100 and 50%, respectively. In conclusion, contrast-enhanced MRI reveals the irregular shape of invasive micropapillary carcinoma and helps conservative breast surgery to be performed safely. The pathological analysis of axillary nodes in cases of invasive micropapillary carcinoma may prove to be indispensable due to the relatively low negative predictive value of sonography.