Predictive Factors of Response to Intensive Decongestive Physiotherapy in Upper Limb Lymphedema After Breast Cancer Treatment: a Cohort Study

Summary The sentinel lymph node (SLN) is the only focus of axillary metastasis in a significant proportion of patients. In this single institutional study, clinicopathologic characteristics were investigated to determine the factors predicting the status of a SLN biopsy and the metastatic involvement of non-SLNs. Data were retrospectively reveiwed for 400 consecutive patients with clinical T1/T2 N0 breast cancer who underwent a SLN biopsy including axillary and/or internal mammary lymph nodes. The SLNs were evaluated by using the new AJCC staging criteria following multiple sectioning and immunohistochemical (IHC) analyses of nodes. The SLN contained metastases in 148 patients (38.5%) including 18 patients (12.2%) with micrometastases (≤0.2 mm) and 130 patients (87.8%) with macrometastases (>0.2 cm). Five patients had isolated tumor cells detected by IHC (≤0.2 mm, N_0i). Patients with tumor size more than 2 cm (T1, 29.8% versus T2, 51.6%; OR=2.31, 95% CI, 1.50–3.56) and lymphovascular invasion (LVI-, 30.3% versus LVI+, 51.3%; OR=2.07, 95% CI, 1.34–3.19) were more likely to have positive SLNs in both univariate and multivariate analyses. Among patients with a positive SLN biopsy, those with T2 tumors (versus T1; 63.1% versus 36.9; OR=2.93, 95% CI, 1.43–6.04), macrometastases in SLNs (versus micrometastases; 88.9% versus 11.1%; OR=8.83; 95% CI, 1.82–42.87) and extracapsular node extension (versus without extracapsular node extension; 65.4% versus 34.6%; OR, 2.23; 95% CI, 1.05–4.72) were more likely to have non-SLN metastases in both univariate and multivarite analyses. These results indicate that clinicopathologic factors might be helpful to select patients who were less likely to have negative SLN or non-SLNs. However, additional factors are still needed to be identified to omit surgical axillary staging.     

美蓝染色法鉴别哨兵淋巴结及其临床意义

目的：探讨美蓝染色法鉴别哨兵淋巴结（SLN）的可行性及其活检的临床意义。方法：采用美蓝染色法，对50例乳腺癌患者行腋窝淋巴作图，所得SLN和非哨兵淋巴结（NSLN）均行常规HE染色。阴性SLN再行连续切片及免疫组化检查，结果：50例患者中SLN阳性45例，SLN鉴别成功率为90．0％，45例中常规病检16例SLN阳性，对29例SLN阴性者采用连续切片和免疫组化检查发现7例（24．1％）有微转移，硝兵淋巴结活检的准确率，灵敏度和假阴性率分别为91．1％，85．7％和8．9％，结论：采用美蓝染色法能准确鉴别SLN，反映乳腺癌患者腋窝淋巴结状况，采用连续切片和免疫组化检查可检测出NSLN中的微转移灶，降低假阴性率。     

乳腺癌前哨淋巴结临床病理的研究

目的：探讨乳腺癌前哨淋巴结能否准确反映腋窝淋巴结转移情况,方法对36例例早期乳腺癌,常规HE染色检测腋窝淋巴结,对HE染色阴性的前哨淋巴结及所属非前啉巴结,连续切片、免疫组化染色,检测其肿瘤的转移情况,结果常规病理检测36例中,10例腋窝有转移,其中2例仅哨淋巴结有肿瘤转移,连续切片,组化检测26例阴性的前哨淋巴结共61例,非前哨淋巴结406枚,2例（2枚）仅前哨淋巴结发现有肿瘤转移,余245例前哨淋巴结及非前哨淋巴结无肿瘤转移,HE染色的检测阴性的前哨淋巴结患者假阴性率为7．7％（2／26）。结论早期腺癌前哨淋巴结可以准确反映腋窝巴结转移情况。     

Impact of CD44+CD24- cells on non-sentinel axillary lymph node metastases in sentinel node-positive breast cancer

Although complete axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) is the standard for evaluating axillary status after the identification of a positive sentinel lymph node (SLN) in breast cancer; approximately 40-60% of SLN-positive patients have negative non-SLN. In this study, to explore putative breast cancer stem cells with CD44+CD24- in the SLN, we retrospectively analyzed the expression of CD44+CD24- on metastatic tumor cells within SLNs as a predictive factor for positive non-SLNs (NSLNs). We tested 271 patients for SLNs using serial sectioning with cytokeratin immunohistochemistry (IHC) and hematoxylin-eosin staining and identified 67 patients who had a positive SLN biopsy and complete ALND. CD44 and CD24 expression was detected using double-staining IHC. Twenty-eight (41.8%) out of 67 patients had positive NSLN metastases. Seven positive SLNs with micrometastases were not available for the evaluation of CD24 and CD44 expression. Out of the remaining 60?patients, 19?(31.7%), 44?(73.83%) and 37?(61.7%) patients had CD24+, CD44+ and CD44+CD24- metastatic tumor cells in SLNs, respectively. Positive NSLN metastasis was significantly associated with the primary tumor size (P=0.004), CD24- expression (P=0.04), CD44+ expression (P=0.01) and CD44+CD24- expression (P=0.02). This report provides the first evidence of the existence of a putative stem-like phenotype within the SLN, which is significantly associated with positive NSLN in early breast cancer patients.     

早期乳腺癌前哨淋巴结示踪和定位的临床研究

背景与目的:目前乳腺癌手术都常规行腋窝淋巴结清扫(axillarylymphnodedissection,ALND)。对早期乳腺癌行ALND能否提高患者的生存率尚有争论,但其带来的并发症却明确。对早期乳腺癌能否用前哨淋巴结活检(sentinellymphnodebiopsy,SLNB)来代替ALND是目前国际研究的热点。本研究旨在探讨用不同的方法示踪和定位行乳腺癌SLNB的可行性及其临床意义,并探索多层切片加免疫组化技术对判断前哨淋巴结(sentinellymphnode,SLN)微转移灶的意义。方法:对121例早期乳腺癌患者行SLN示踪活检,其中美蓝法38例,单纯用美蓝标记;联合法83例,用美蓝和99mTc-SC同时标记。术后将SLN和所有常规ALND的淋巴结作常规病理检查,对阴性的SLN作3层切片加免疫组化检查,以检测淋巴结的微转移灶。结果:美蓝组和联合组活检的成功率分别为81.6%和95.2%;对腋窝淋巴结状况预测的准确率分别为93.5%和97.5%。淋巴结闪烁成像(lymphoscintigraphy,LS)和手持式γ-探头术前定位SLN的成功率分别为23%和92%(P<0.05)。本组194枚常规病理检查阴性的SLN,后经3层切片加免疫组化检查,发现13例21枚(11%)SLN含微转移灶。再用联合法检查对腋窝淋巴结预测的准确率上升为98.7%;假阴性率下降为3.2%。结论:美蓝法和联合法行SLNB均能准确地反映腋窝淋巴结状况,但联合法相对较好。LS对SLNB的意义尚待进一步探讨。多层切片加免疫组化检查能提高SLN微转移灶的发现率。     

The impact of preoperative breast biopsy on the risk of sentinel lymph node metastases: analysis of 2502 cases from the Austrian Sentinel Node Biopsy Study Group

Preoperative breast biopsy might cause disaggregation of tumour cells and tumour cell spread. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of preoperative biopsy on the rate of metastases to the sentinel lymph node (SLN) of patients with primary breast cancer. We report the results of 2502 patients with primary breast cancer, who were operated, and a sentinel node biopsy was performed. The association of preoperative biopsy with the risk of SLN metastases was examined by regression analyses and tested for possible confounding well-known factors for axillary node metastases. In all, 1890 patients were available for final analyses; 1048 (55.4%) patients had a preoperative diagnosis performed by fine-needle aspiration or core biopsy; 641 (33.9%) patients had a positive SLN when conventional H&E and IHC staining was performed. Patients with preoperative breast biopsy showed a 1.37 times (95% CI, 1.13-1.66) increased risk of SLN metastases on univariate analysis, but this result was not persistent when analysis was adjusted for other relevant factors for axillary node metastases, OR 1.09 (95% CI, 0.85-1.40). In addition, subgroup analyses of the risk for occult micro metastases to the SLN (detected by IHC only) on H&E-negative cases also showed no increased risk associated with preoperative biopsy, OR 1.07 (95% CI, 0.69-1.65). The conclusion, based on the present data, is that preoperative breast biopsy does not cause artificial tumour cell spread to the SLN, with possible negative impact on the prognosis of breast cancer.     

Determination of sentinel lymph node (SLN) status in primary breast cancer by prospective use of immunohistochemistry increases the rate of micrometastases and isolated tumour cells: analysis of 174 patients after SLN biopsy.

AIM: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the prospective use of immunohistochemistry (IHC) for histopathological diagnosis of sentinel lymph node(s) (SLN) in primary breast cancer using stage migration and non-SLN metastases as endpoints in relation to metastatic involvement. METHOD: Serial sectioning and prospective use of IHC were applied to SLN examination in addition to routine haematoxylin-eosin staining in 174 consecutive patients with unifocal T1-T2 breast cancer included in a National Sentinel Node Study. Axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) was performed in all cases with macrometastases, micrometastases and isolated tumour cells (ITC). RESULTS: The SLN was found in 173/174 patients and a metastatic foci was found in 50 patients including 28/50 with macrometastases, 16/50 with micrometastases and 6/50 with ITC. IHC detected 3/16 of the micrometastases and 4/6 of ITC. Stage migration from N0 to N1mi was encountered in 3/132 patients by use of IHC. Non-SLN metastases were noted in 15/28 of patients with macrometastases and in 3/16 of patients with micrometastases, whereas no patient with ITC had additional metastases (p=0.007). CONCLUSION: The prospective use of IHC and serial sectioning for histopathological diagnosis of SLNs increased the detection rate of N1mi and ITC, but only 3/132 patients were stage-migrated by use of IHC. Patients with ITC did not have any risk of non-SLN metastases, supporting that ALND can safely be omitted in this group of patients.     

Ductal carcinoma in situ: value of sentinel lymph node biopsy

BACKGROUND: Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) represents about 20% of newly diagnosed breast carcinomas. Axillary metastasis is often related to undiagnosed DCIS with microinvasion (DCISM). The aim of this study was to confirm the interest of sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy in extensive DCIS. METHODS: Patients with a diagnosis of DCIS or DCISM and axillary lymph node evaluation were selected. Surgical treatment included SLN biopsy and/or axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). Serial sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and with an immunohistochemical (IHC) method. When a micrometastasis was found, the breast specimen was revised searching for occult microinvasion. RESULTS: Hundred and forty patients with initial DCIS were enrolled in the study. Node metastasis was identified in 9 patients (7%) of the 128 patients with DCIS and DCISM. At final histology, 4 (10%) of the 39 patients with pure DCIS and SLN biopsy and 1 (7%) of the 14 patients with DCISM and SLN biopsy had axillary micrometastasis. Four of the 12 patients upstaged to invasive carcinoma had metastatic SLNs. CONCLUSIONS: Sentinel lymph node biopsy is valuable in patients with diffuse DCIS or DCISM who are scheduled for mastectomy in order to search for axillary micrometastases and occult breast microinvasion.     

Histologic detection and clinical implications of micrometastases in axillary sentinel lymph nodes for patients with breast carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is used increasingly in patients with clinically lymph node negative, early-stage breast carcinoma, because it can spare axillary dissection when the sentinel lymph nodes are negative. The question arises, however, whether complete axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) also is necessary in patients with only micrometastases (< or = 2 mm in greatest dimension) in axillary SLNs. The authors carried out the current study to ascertain the risk of non-SLN axillary metastases in such patients and to assess the detection rate of SLN micrometastases in relation to the sectioning interval and the number of sections examined. METHODS: The authors examined 109 patients with micrometastatic SLNs from a series of 634 patients with carcinoma of the breast who underwent SLN biopsy and complete ALND as part of the surgical treatment for their disease. The SLNs were sectioned completely at 50-microm intervals, and the sections were examined intraoperatively. RESULTS: The overall frequency of metastases in axillary non-SLNs was 21.8%. The frequency was correlated significantly with the size of the SLN micrometastatic focus (P = 0.02): 36.4% of patients with foci > 1 mm had metastases in axillary lymph nodes--a percentage approaching 44.7% of patients with macrometastatic SLNs--whereas only 15.6% of patients with micrometastases < or = 1 mm had other involved axillary lymph nodes. CONCLUSIONS: Outside of clinical trials, patients with T1 and small T2 breast carcinoma and micrometastatic SLNs should undergo complete ALND for adequate staging. However, patients with SLN micrometastases up to 1 mm in greatest dimension have a significantly lower risk of additional axillary metastases, raising the question of whether ALND may be avoided in this subgroup of patients.     

Intraoperative examination of sentinel lymph nodes by ultrarapid immunohistochemistry in breast cancer

BACKGROUND: The ultrarapid immunohistochemistry (IHC) technique was applied to the intraoperative examination of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) because routine SLN frozen section examinations sometimes produce false-negative results. The present study was undertaken to develop a reliable protocol for the ultrarapid IHC of SLNs. METHODS: SLNs from 79 breast cancer patients with clinically negative axillary node were examined intraoperatively by frozen hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) stain and by ultrarapid cytokeratin IHC assay. On the basis of the result of serially sectioned permanent study, the sensitivity and accuracy of each intraoperative technique were compared. RESULTS: The total number of dissected SLNs was 178 with a mean of 2.3 (1-5) per patient. The mean turnaround time for ultrarapid IHC was 20 min. The sensitivity rates of frozen H&E staining and ultrarapid IHC were 70.0 and 85.0%, respectively (P = 0.083). Each method had a specificity of 100%. The accuracy rates for frozen H&E staining and rapid IHC were 92.4 and 96.2%, respectively (P = 0.083). Ultrarapid IHC detected one additional patient with sentinel node micrometastasis and two additional patients with isolated tumor cells (ITCs). In those patients, two underwent completion axillary dissection simultaneously and could avoid a second operation. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrarapid cytokeratin IHC enhanced the intraoperative detection of sentinel node micrometastasis and ITCs in breast cancer without consuming much time. In patients who need completion axillary dissection after sentinel node biopsy, this technique could be helpful in avoiding a second operation.     

Sentinel Node Biopsy Examination for Breast Cancer in a Routine Laboratory Practice: Results of a Pilot Study

Background: Examination of sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsies provides accurate nodal staging for breast cancer and plays a key role in patient management. Procurement of SLNs and the methods used to process specimens are equally important. Increasing the level of detail in histopathological examination of SLNs increases detection of metastatic tumours but will also increase the burden of busy laboratories and thus may not be carried out routinely. Recommendation of a reasonable standard in SLN examination is required to ensure high sensitivity of results while maintaining a manageable practice workload. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four patients with clinically node-negative breast cancer were recruited. Combined radiotracer and blue dye methods were used for identification of SLNs. The nodes were thinly sliced and embedded. Serial sectioning and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining against AE1/AE3 were performed if initial HandE sections of the blocks were negative. Results: SLNs were successfully identified in all patients. Ten cases had nodal metastases with 7 detected in SLNs and 3 detected only in axillary nodes (false negative rate, FNR=30%). Some 5 out of 7 metastatic lesions in the SLNs (71.4%) were detected in initial sections of the thinly sliced tissue. Serial sectioning detected the remaining two cases with either micrometastases or isolated tumour cells (ITC). Conclusions: Thin slicing of tissue to 3-5mm thickness and serial sectioning improved the detection of micro and macro-metastases but the additional burden of serial sectioning gave low yield of micrometastases or ITC and may not be cost effective. IHC validation did not further increase sensitivity of detection. Therefore its use should only be limited to confirmation of suspicious lesions. False negative cases where SLNs were not involved could be due to skipped metastases to non-sentinel nodes or poor technique during procurement, resulting in missed detection of actual SLNs.     

新型前哨淋巴结显像剂在乳腺癌中的初步应用

目的 研究新型特异性前哨淋巴结（SLN）显像剂99m^Tc-Rituximab的定位效应,探讨有效、易行的SLN定位方法。方法 采用直接法将99m^Tc引入Rituximab分子中,作为示踪剂。对10只Balb／c小鼠和10例乳腺癌患者行SLN动态显像,应用计算机软件行图像融合,评价99m^Tc-Rituximab的定位性能。利用感兴趣区（ROI）技术计算SLN与组织本底的比值、SLN摄取率,绘制SLN摄取99m^Tc-Rituximab的动态曲线。另外61例乳腺癌患者行常规乳腺癌SLN显像。71例患者均行腋窝前哨淋巴结活检（SLNB）及腋窝淋巴结清扫（ALND）,SLN及腋窝淋巴结行常规HE染色。结果 99m^Tc-Pdtuximab标记率〉95．0％,可清晰定位小鼠和乳腺癌患者的SLN。融合图像能清晰显示SLN大体位置。动态显像结果显示,注射显像剂后10min到16 h SLN均可显影,以6h最佳,未见次级淋巴结显影。小鼠SLN与组织本底的比值为2．1,SLN摄取率约为3．0％～3．5％,摄取曲线方程为y=0．036x＋2．7875,r^2=0．9787。乳腺癌患者SLN摄取率存在个体差异,但均符合对数函数分布。SLNB的成功率、敏感度及准确性均为100．0％。每例患者检出SLN平均为2．6枚。SLN转移阳性19例（26．8％）,其中11例患者仅有SIN转移。结论 99m^Tc-Rituximab的SLN定位性能良好,无次级淋巴结显影及手术时间受限等问题。图像融合技术简单易行,利于指导SLNB进行。     

Lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymphadenectomy in early stage breast carcinoma

The rate of axillary lymph node metastases is low in early stage breast carcinoma and axillary lymph node dissection is controversial in the treatment of these patients. Intraoperative lymphatic mapping technique is suggested for the identification of metastatic lymph nodes. Intraoperative lymphatic mapping was performed on 60 clinical stage I and II patients who were treated at Ankara Oncology Hospital between 1996-1998. Patent blue dye was injected in all cases, as the tumor was totally excised before mastectomy, into the surrounding breast tissue at four different quadrants. Presence of metastases were examined on stained lymph nodes (sentinel lymph node: SLN) by frozen-section. Modified radical mastectomy was performed including level I, II, III lymph node dissection. Metastases were evaluated on the remnants of frozen-section tissues and unstained lymph nodes (nonsentinel lymph node: nSLN) in axilla on hematoxyline-eosin stained slides and by immunohistochemistry. Forty-nine (81.6%) SLNs were identified among 60 cases. In 18 (36.7%) of these 49 patients, metastases were detected in SLNs by frozen section. In one case micrometastasis was detected in the remnants of frozen-section by immunohistochemistry though it was negative with hematoxyline-eosin. There were no metastases in nSLNs of 27 cases whose SLNs's frozen-sections were tumor free. In 3 cases SLNs were negative but metastases were detected in nSLNs (false negative: 6.1%). There were no local or systemic complications due to injections of dye. Selective lymph node dissections can be performed on early stage breast cancer patients by means of lymphatic mapping. This minimally invasive technique identifies metastatic axillary lymph nodes with a high degree of accuracy, so we can suggest that, non-metastatic patients can be treated without axillary dissection.     

乳腺癌前哨淋巴结活检40例报告

目的 :通过对乳腺癌前哨淋巴结 (SLN)活检 ,探讨其对腋淋巴结转移情况预测的准确性。方法 :采用亚甲蓝染料法对 4 0例乳腺癌行腋窝蓝染淋巴结活检 ,后行常规腋窝淋巴结清除 (ALND) ,两标本均送病理检查。结果 :全组 4 0例患者检出SLN 38例 ,2例未找到SLN ,检出率为 95 % ( 38/ 4 0 ) ,有 8例SLN为阳性 ,1例SLN为假阴性 ,腋窝淋巴结 (ALN)有 9例转移 ,SLN与ALN病理检查完全符合者 37例 ,准确率为 92 5 % ( 37/ 38) ;灵敏度为 88 9% ( 8/ 9) ;假阴性率为 11 1% ( 1/ 9)。结论 :亚甲蓝染色法能准确地鉴别SLN及预测乳腺癌腋窝淋巴结状态     

免疫组织化学和RT-PCR法检测乳腺癌骨髓和前哨淋巴结微小转移的临床研究

目的探讨免疫组织化学(IHC)和RT-PCR法检测乳腺癌骨髓和前哨淋巴结(SLN)微小转移的灵敏度及临床意义。方法留取乳腺癌改良根治术腋窝淋巴结HE染色证实阴性的病人的胸骨骨髓血和SLN,分别采用IHC和RT-PCR方法检测其微小转移情况。结果62例中,骨髓样本RT-PCR检测15例阳性表达,其中9例IHC检测也为阳性,二者结果有较好一致性(kappa=0.6945),检出率有统计学差异(P=0.0412);SLN样本RT-PCR法有13例KT19mRNA表达,其中7例IHC检出KT19阳性细胞,二者结果一致性较好(kappa=0.6483),检出率有统计学差异(P=0.0412);骨髓和SLN同时表达KT19mRNA仅3例,无显著相关(P=0.796);原发肿瘤大小和骨髓KT19mRNA表达率有关联(P=0.003)。结论常规检查未发现远处和腋窝淋巴结转移,骨髓和SLN可检出微小转移,RT-PCR较IHC更灵敏,肿瘤大小与骨髓微小转移有关联。由于骨髓和腋窝淋巴结微小转移不一定同步出现,选用灵敏方法对不同组织同时进行检测可能更具临床价值。     

Sentinel node detection in breast carcinoma

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: The standard procedure for the evaluation of axillary nodal involvement in patients with breast cancer is still complete lymph node dissection. However, about 70% of patients are found to be free of metastatic disease while axillary node dissection may cause significant morbidity. Lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy are changing this situation. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: In a period of 18 months we studied 201 patients with breast cancer, excluding patients with palpable axillary nodes, tumors > 2.5 cm in diameter, multifocal or multicentric cancer, pregnant patients and patients over 80 years of age. Before surgery 99mTc-labeled colloid and vital blue dye were injected into the breast to identify the SLN. In lymph nodes dissected during surgery the metastatic status was examined by sections at reduced intervals. Only patients with SLNs that were histologically positive for metastases underwent axillary dissection. RESULTS: We localized one or more SLNs in 194 of 201 (96.5%) patients; when both techniques were utilized the success rate was 100%. Histologically, 21% of patient showed SLN metastases (7.8% micrometastases) and 68% of these had metastases also in other axillary nodes. None of the patients with negative SLNs developed metastases during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: At present there is no definite evidence that negative SLN biopsy is invariably correlated with negative axillary status; however, our study and those of others demonstrate that SLN biopsy is an accurate method of axillary staging.     

Immunohistochemistry with pancytokeratins improves the sensitivity of sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with breast carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is being investigated as a staging procedure for breast carcinoma. The authors evaluated whether immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis improves the sensitivity of this procedure. METHODS: Forty-four women with breast carcinoma were recruited for SLN biopsy. Preoperative lymphoscintigraphy was followed by intraoperative localization using a handheld gamma probe and blue dye. After SLN identification, an immediate complete axillary lymph node dissection was performed in all patients. All lymph nodes were subjected to routine histology (hematoxylin and eosin [H&E]) and IHC using antibody to cytokeratins. RESULTS: The SLN was identified in 41 of 43 patients (95%). Successful SLN identification was independent of biopsy technique (open surgical [95%] vs. fine-needle aspiration/core needle biopsy [96%]). Twelve of 41 patients (29%) had evidence of lymph node metastasis in the SLN by routine histology. Of the twenty-nine patients with H&E negative SLN, 3 were found to have metastasis by IHC for a conversion rate of 10%. Fifteen of 41 patients (37%) had evidence of metastasis in SLN. All 26 patients with H&E and IHC negative SLN had negative nonsentinel lymph nodes by routine histology and IHC (100% negative predictive value). All patients with tumors < 2 cm and micrometastasis to the SLN had no additional lymph node disease, in contrast to patients with lesions > 2 cm or patients with macrometastasis to the SLN (P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm that SLN biopsy is extremely accurate for patients with breast carcinoma, even after open surgical biopsy. IHC analysis or serial sectioning of SLN improves the sensitivity of this staging technique.     

Treatment implications of a positive sentinel lymph node biopsy for patients with early-stage breast carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping and biopsy is emerging as an alternative to axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) in determining the lymph node status of patients with early-stage breast carcinoma. The hypothesis of the technique is that the SLN is the first lymph node in the regional lymphatic basin that drains the primary tumor. Non-SLN (NSLN) metastasis in the axilla is unlikely if the axillary SLN shows no tumor involvement, and, thus, further axillary interference may be avoided. However, the optimal treatment of the axilla in which an SLN metastasis is found requires ongoing evaluation. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the predictors for NSLN metastasis in the presence of a tumor-involved axillary SLN and to examine the treatment implications for patients with early-stage breast carcinoma. METHODS: Between June 1998 and May 2000, 167 patients participated in the pilot study of SLN mapping and biopsy at Westmead Hospital. SLNs were identified successfully and biopsied in 140 axillae. All study patients also underwent ALND. The incidence of NSLN metastasis in the 51 patients with a SLN metastasis was correlated with clinical and pathologic characteristics. RESULTS: Of 51 patients with a positive SLN, 24 patients (47%) had NSLN metastases. The primary tumor size was the only significant predictor for NSLN involvement. NSLN metastasis occurred in 25% of patients (95% confidence interval [95%CI], 10-47%) with a primary tumor size 20 mm (P = 0.005). The size of the SLN metastasis was not associated significantly with NSLN involvement. Three of 7 patients (43%) with an SLN micrometastasis (< 1 mm) had NSLN involvement compared with 38 of 44 patients (48%) with an SLN macrometastasis (> or = 1 mm). CONCLUSIONS: The current study did not identify a subgroup of SLN positive patients in whom the incidence of NSLN involvement was low enough to warrant no further axillary interference. At present, a full axillary dissection should be performed in patients with a positive SLN.     

Sentinel lymphadenectomy without systematic axillary dissection in breast cancer patients: predictors of non-sentinel lymph node metastasis.

AIMS: To identify factors predicting metastatic involvement of non sentinel axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer patients who underwent sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy followed by complete axillary dissection only in case of metastatic sentinel lymph node. METHODS: A prospective database including 165 breast cancer patients who underwent SLN biopsy without further complete axillary dissection in case of non-metastatic SLN was reviewed. Primary tumor size, pathologic grade, lymphatic invasion in the primary tumor, estrogen receptor status, tumor size in the SLN and number of metastatic SLNs were tested as possible predictors of metastatic involvement of non-SLN. RESULTS: The sentinel lymph node detection rate was 97% (160/165 patients). The mean number of SLNs per patient was 1.8 (range: 1-5). Fifty patients (31.3%) had a metastatic axillary SLN: 10 of the 42 patients with T1a or T1b breast tumors and 40 of the 118 patients with T1c< or = 15mm tumors. Fifteen of the 50 patients with metastatic SLN had metastatic non-SLN. Primary tumor size, tumor size in the SLN, pathologic grade, estrogen receptor status and age were not significantly associated with metastatic involvement of non-SLN. Number of metastatic SLNs fell short of reaching statistical significance (P: NS). Lymphatic invasion in the primary tumor was the only factor significantly associated with the presence of tumor in the non SLN (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: In our series, only lymphatic invasion in the primary tumor was correlated with metastases detection in the non-SLN. We could not identify a subset of patients without metastatic non-SLN in patients with metastatic SLN.