Impact of sentinel lymph node mapping on relative charges in patients with early-stage breast cancer

Background: The introduction of SLNB has allowed accurate staging in early-stage breast carcinomas and has minimized the number of unnecessary ALNDs. Intraoperative frozen-section analysis is a fundamental component of the sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) procedure. Some patients have positive nodes on frozen-section analysis and thus undergo a conventional axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) at the time of the SLNB. A few patients have negative nodes on frozen-section analysis but have subsequent evidence of metastases on final pathologic examination. The purpose of our study was 2-fold: to compare the hospital-related charges of patients undergoing staging by SLNB with those of patients undergoing conventional ALND and to assess whether the different outcomes associated with SLNB adversely affect the charges incurred with this procedure. Methods: Our study group consisted of 100 patients with T1 breast cancer and breast conservation therapy who underwent either SLNB or ALND from July 1, 1997, to June 30, 1998. We identified the first 50 consecutive patients to undergo SLNB during this period. We chose a similar cohort of 50 patients for ALND. Mean hospital-related charges for the SLNB patients were categorized and compared with those for the ALND patients. Results: Results for the two groups were analyzed using a two-sample Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Charges for the OR and hospital stay were less for the SLNB group (P<.05). Frozen-section analysis in the SLNB group contributed to the significant difference in charges for pathologic evaluation. Overall, the two groups showed no significant difference in total hospital-related charges. Conclusions: When SLNB is used for T1 tumors, a small percentage of patients (10% in our study) will return to the operating room for an ALND. This small percentage does not increase the charges related to SLNB, however, as the reduced stay for most patients offsets this subgroup’s contribution to the total hospital-related charges. Thus, in patients with clinical stage I breast cancer, SLNB does not cause significantly higher hospital-related charges compared with conventional ALND.     

Intraoperative evaluation of sentinel lymph nodes in invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast

Background

In breast cancer treatment, sentinel lymph node (SLN) evaluation is used to identify patients who may benefit from axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). Intraoperative evaluation (IE) of SLNs facilitates immediate ALND. Controversy exists regarding the accuracy of intraoperative SLN evaluation for patients with invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) compared to invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC).

Methods

Using breast cancer registry data from January 2003 to March 2008, the intraoperative SLN evaluation of 66 ILC and 810 IDC patients was compared to the final SLN pathology result and to the performance of ALND.

Results

In ILC, the sensitivities of IE for isolated tumor cells (≤.2 mm, N0[i+], n = 9), micrometastases (>.2 mm and ≤ 2.0 mm, N1mi, n = 6), and macrometastases (>2.0 mm, N1a-3a, n = 21) were 0%, 17%, and 71%, respectively. The specificity was 100%. IE identified 16/27 (59%) of SLN-positive (N1mi, N1a-3a) axillae, resulting in synchronous ALND. Delayed ALND for false negative IEs (11/27, 41%) occurred in 7/11 patients (64%). In IDC, the sensitivities of IE for N0(i+) (n = 60), N1mi (n = 75), and N1a-3a (n = 129) metastases were 0%, 7%, and 71%, respectively. The specificity was 99.6%. IE identified 97/204 (48%) of SLN-positive (N1mi, N1a-3a) axillae, resulting in synchronous ALND. Delayed ALND for false negative IEs (107/204, 52%) occurred in 38/107 patients (36%).

Conclusions

Sensitivity and specificity of intraoperative SLN evaluation is very similar in ILC and IDC patients. Intraoperative SLN evaluation facilitated synchronous ALND in concordance with recommended practice guidelines.     

Factors influencing accuracy of axillary sentinel lymph node frozen section for breast cancer

Background

Intraoperative sentinel lymph node (SLN) frozen section (FS) guides immediate axillary lymph node dissection in breast cancer patients.

Methods

The Oregon Health & Science University pathology database was searched for SLN FS From October 1999 to January 1, 2009. Slides of positive cases were reviewed and metastasis sizes measured.

Results

Of 416 cases, 129 were positive (31%) on permanent sections and immunohistochemistry, with 79 concordant and 50 false-negative FS. Accuracy was 88%, sensitivity 61%, and specificity 100%. FS accuracy for lobular carcinoma (76%) was lower than for invasive ductal carcinoma (88%) (P = .048). FS accuracy significantly differed by size of nodal tumor. For 49 cases of tumor ≤ 2 mm (isolated tumor cells plus micrometastases), the accuracy of FS was 18%; for 77 cases of >2-mm metastases, accuracy was 90% (P < .0001).

Conclusions

False-negative FS were predominantly small nodal tumor deposits not sampled at FS. Although accuracy was lower, SLN FS is still beneficial in lobular carcinoma, but not ductal carcinoma in situ.     

Sentinel lymph node dissection provides axillary control equal to complete axillary node dissection in breast cancer patients with lobular histology and a negative sentinel node

OBJECTIVE: Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) presents special challenges to treating physicians because of the diffuse infiltrative growth pattern. As sentinel lymph node dissection (SLND) is rapidly replacing axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) in the management of patients with early-stage breast cancer, we sought to evaluate the safety of SLND in providing axillary control in breast cancer patients with lobular histology and a negative sentinel node. METHODS: We identified 239 patients with T1-2,N0,M0 lobular breast cancer from the prospective databases of 2 institutions; all were treated between March 1994 and December 2003. RESULTS: A total of 202 patients had SLND and 37 had SLND followed by ALND. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups with respect to tumor size, presence of lymphovascular invasion, estrogen receptor (ER)/progesterone receptor (PR) and HER-2/neu status, type of breast surgery, margin status, or nuclear grade. Use of chemotherapy, radiation, and hormonal therapy was not significantly different between groups. At a median follow-up of 48 months in the ALND group and 26 months in the SLND group (range 6 to 80 months), none of the 202 patients in the SLND group had experienced an axillary recurrence, while 2 (5.4%) of the 37 patients who underwent ALND had experienced an axillary recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: SLND provided axillary control equivalent to that of ALND for patients with lobular breast cancer. SLND alone appears to be adequate axillary management of patients with lobular breast cancer and a negative sentinel node.     

前哨淋巴结活检术替代腋窝淋巴结清扫术在乳腺癌中的临床应用

目的探讨前哨淋巴结活检术（SLNB）替代腋窝淋巴结清扫术（ALND）在早期乳腺癌患者中的应用价值和安全性。方法对2003年1月到2005年12月期间行前哨淋巴结活检术替代腋窝清扫术的125例患者作为研究组,对同一时期行腋窝清扫术且术后病理淋巴结阳性个数≤1的45例患者作为对照组;比较两组患者术后上肢并发症的发生情况及腋窝复发情况。结果SLNB替代ALND术后上肢麻木、肿胀、疼痛、僵硬、上肢活动受限及肌力减退方面的并发症均明显较ALND少,在随访36．5个月中,仅出现一例腋窝复发。结论前哨淋巴结活检术替代腋窝淋巴结清扫术术后并发症明显减少,腋窝复发率低,是早期乳腺癌患者的安全分期手术。     

Prognostic value of isolated tumor cells and micrometastases of lymph nodes in early-stage breast cancer: A French sentinel node multicenter cohort study

To define the prognostic value of isolated tumor cells (ITC), micrometastases (pN1mi) and macrometastases in early stage breast cancer (ESBC).We conducted a retrospective multicenter cohort study at 13 French sites. All the eligible patients who underwent SLNB from January 1999 to December 2008 were identified, and appropriate data were extracted from medical records and analyzed.Among 8001 patients, including 70% node-negative (n = 5588), 4% ITC (n = 305), 10% pN1mi (n = 794) and 16% macrometastases (n = 1314) with a median follow-up of 61.3 months, overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates at 84 months were not statistically different in ITC or pN1mi compared to tumor-free nodes. Axillary recurrence (AR) was significantly more frequent in ITC (1.7%) and pN1mi (1.5%) compared to negative nodes (0.6%). Survival and AR rates of single macrometastases were not different from those of ITC or pN1mi. In case of 2 macrometastases or more, survival rates decreased and recurrence rates increased significantly.Micrometastases and ITC do not have a negative prognostic value. Single macrometastases might have an intermediate prognostic value while 2 macrometastases or more are associated with poorer prognosis.     

乳腺癌前哨淋巴结活检替代腋窝清扫术前瞻性非随机对照临床研究

目的：探讨前哨淋巴结活检术（sentinel lymph node biopsy，SLNB）替代腋淋巴结切除术（axiHary lymph node dissection．ALND）的可行性。方法：联合应用亚甲蓝和^99mTc标记的硫胶体进行SLNB。2001年12月起山东省肿瘤医院乳腺病中心两个治疗组收治的临床T1.2N0M0乳腺癌病人进入本前瞻性非随机对照临床研究。A组病人SLNB后均行ALND。B组病人签署知情同意书，不同意SLNB替代ALND病人（B1组）治疗同A组；同意SLNB替代ALND病人（B2组）依据SLN状况，SLN阴性仅行SLNB，SLN阳性行ALND。结果：2001年12月-2005年6月共入组642例病人，其中A组114例（17．8％），B组528例（82.2％），B1组195例，B2组333例。B2组病人SLN阴性240例仅行SLNB；SLN阳性93例，其中87例接受ALND，另6例SLN镜下微小转移灶者中4例仅行SLNB，2例接受SLNB加区域淋巴结放疗。SLNB替代ALND者各项术后并发症显著低于ALND者（均P〈0．05）。B2组244例仅行SLNB病人中位随访26个月（7-48个月），2例病人发现区域淋巴结复发（0．82％），与ALND腋淋巴结阴性组病人（0％）相比差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。SLN术中冰冻快速病理诊断准确率98．5％，假阴性率5．4％。结论：SLNB可以缩小手术范围、减少病人术后并发症。SLN术中冰冻快速病理诊断具有较高的准确性，能够满足临床需要。     

男性乳腺癌前哨淋巴结活检11例分析

目的 以亚甲蓝注射液为示踪剂检测男性乳腺癌前哨淋巴结,并根据活检及腋窝淋巴结清扫结果评价前哨淋巴结活检在男性乳腺癌治疗中的应用价值.方法 将郑州大学第一附属医院乳腺外科2010年3月-2014年12月收治的男性乳腺癌患者11例入组,临床分期为cT1 ～ T2N0M0.使用亚甲蓝注射液为示踪剂,给予11例患者前哨淋巴结活检,同时给予腋窝淋巴结清扫.结果 11例男性乳腺癌患者,10例检出前哨淋巴结,检出率为90.9％(10/11).前哨淋巴结1～3枚,平均1.8枚.非前哨淋巴结8～14枚,平均10.5枚.1例未检出患者排除分析.10例前哨淋巴结活检成功的患者中6例转移(6/10);前哨淋巴结未转移而非前哨淋巴结转移的患者1例(1/10).本组研究中前哨淋巴结对腋窝淋巴结状况的符合率(准确性)为90％(9/10);灵敏度为100％(6/6)％;准确率为60％(6/10).结论 使用亚甲蓝注射液行前哨淋巴结活检能够准确预测男性乳腺癌腋窝淋巴结的转移情况,可作为早期男性乳腺癌评估腋窝分期的可靠手段.     

乳腺癌前哨淋巴结检测的临床研究

目的通过前哨淋巴结(sentinel lymph node,SLN)活检,了解前哨淋巴结是否能反映乳腺癌腋窝淋巴结转移情况,从而决定是否行腋窝淋巴结清扫(axillary lymph node dissection,ALND). 方法 47例T1、T2、T3临床检查腋窝淋巴结无肿大的乳腺癌患者,术前30 min于乳腺肿块周围腺体注射蓝色染料,术中取蓝染的SLN病理检查,术后将病理检查结果与腋窝淋巴结转移情况进行比较分析. 结果 47例中5例未见淋巴结及淋巴管蓝染,其余42例找到腋窝淋巴结608个,阳性18例168个,阴性24例440个;SLN共78个,阳性16例29个,阴性26例49个.SLN的检出率89.4%,准确性95.2% ,特异性100%,敏感性88.9%,假阴性率11.1%,假阳性率0. 结论 SLN活检反应腋窝淋巴结的肿瘤转移状况,可以用于术中确定是否行ALND.     

Sensory morbidity after sentinel lymph node biopsy and axillary dissection: a prospective study of 233 women

Background We prospectively compared the sensory morbidity and lymphedema experienced after sentinel node biopsy (SLNB) and axillary dissection (ALND) over a 12-month period by using a validated instrument. Methods Patients undergoing breast-conserving therapy completed the Breast Sensation Assessment Scale (BSAS) at baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to compare ALND and SLNB over the 12-month period. Upper- and lower-arm circumference measurements at baseline and 12 months were used to assess lymphedema. Results SLNB was associated with substantial sensory morbidity, although significantly less than ALND, over time on all four subscales and the summary score. A statistically significant improvement in sensory morbidity occurred for both groups in the first 3 months, with no further change thereafter. For both types of axillary surgery, younger patients had significantly higher BSAS scores than older patients. There was no significant difference in arm circumference between patients with SLNB and ALND at 12 months. Conclusions Among women undergoing breast-conserving therapy, SLNB has significant sensory morbidity, although approximately half that of ALND. Sensory morbidity improves in the first 3 months after surgery, but patients continue to report sensory morbidity at 1 year. Longitudinal follow-up is required to further assess lymphedema.     

The effect of prior breast biopsy method and concurrent definitive breast procedure on success and accuracy of sentinel lymph node biopsy

Background It has been suggested that sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy for breast cancer may be less accurate after excisional biopsy of the primary tumor compared with core needle biopsy. Furthermore, some have suggested an improved ability to identify the SLN when total mastectomy is performed compared with lumpectomy. This analysis was performed to determine the impact of the type of breast biopsy (needle vs. excisional) or definitive surgical procedure (lumpectomy vs. mastectomy) on the accuracy of SLN biopsy. Methods The University of Louisville Breast Cancer Sentinel Lymph Node Study is a prospective multi-institutional study. Patients with clinical stage T1–2, N0 breast cancer were eligible. All patients underwent SLN biopsy and completion level I/II axillary dissection. Statistical comparison was performed by χ² analysis. Results A total of 2206 patients were enrolled in the study. There were no statistically significant differences in SLN identification rate or false-negative rate between patients undergoing excisional versus needle biopsy. The SLN identification and false-negative rates also were not statistically different between patients who had total mastectomy compared with those who had a lumpectomy. Conclusions Excisional biopsy does not significantly affect the accuracy of SLN biopsy, nor does the type of definitive surgical procedure. Presented at the 54th Annual Meeting of the Society of Surgical Oncology, Washington, DC, March 15–18, 2001.     

Trends in axillary surgery and clinical outcomes among breast cancer patients with sentinel node metastasis

BackgroundThere is a lack of studies examining the long-term trend and survival of axillary surgery for breast cancer patients with sentinel node metastasis, especially for the patients with 3–5 node metastases.MethodsBreast cancer patients with 1–5 sentinel node metastases from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database from 2000 to 2016. Our study presented the trend of axillary surgery and assessed the long-term survival of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) alone vs axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) for those patients.ResultsOf the 41,996 patients diagnosed with T_1-2 breast cancer after lumpectomy and radiation included, 34,940 had 1-2 sentinel node metastases and 7056 had 3-5 sentinel node metastases. The percentage of patients undergoing SLNB alone increased from 22.4% in 2000 to 81.0% in 2016 for patients with 1–2 sentinel node metastases, and quadrupled from 5.2% in 2009 to 20.6% in 2016 for those with 3–5 sentinel node metastases. Completion of ALND did not benefit the long-term survival of 1–2 sentinel node metastasis patients (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.02, P = 0.539), but improved the long-term survival of 3–5 node metastasis patients (HR = 0.73, P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis demonstrated the inferiority of SLNB to ALND in all subgroups of 3–5 sentinel node metastases.ConclusionFor patients with T_1-2 breast cancer after lumpectomy and radiation, SLNB alone was an efficient and safe surgical choice for 1–2 sentinel node metastases but not for 3–5 sentinel node metastases. It is worth noting that for patients with 3–5 node metastasis, the proportion of omitted ALND quadrupled after 2009.     

Preliminary Outcome Analysis in Patients With Breast Cancer and a Positive Sentinel Lymph Node Who Declined Axillary Dissection

Background:This retrospective study was designed to provide a preliminary outcome analysis in patients with positive sentinel nodes who declined axillary dissection.Methods:A review was conducted of patients who underwent lumpectomy and sentinel lymph node excision for invasive disease between January 1998 and July 2000. Those who were found to have sentinel lymph node metastasis without completion axillary dissection were selected for evaluation. Follow-up included physical examination and mammography.Results:Thirty-one patients were identified who met inclusion criteria. Primary invasive cell types included infiltrating ductal carcinoma, infiltrating lobular carcinoma, and mixed cellularity. Most primary tumors were T1. Nodal metastases were identified by hematoxylin and eosin stain and immunohistochemistry. Twenty-seven of the metastases were microscopic (<2 mm), and the remaining four were macroscopic. All patients received adjuvant systemic therapy. With a mean follow-up of 30 months, there have been no patients with axillary recurrence on physical examination or mammographic evaluation.Conclusions:We have presented patients with sentinel lymph nodes involved by cancer who did not undergo further axillary resection and remain free of disease at least 1 year later. This preliminary analysis supports the inclusion of patients with subclinical axillary disease in trials that randomize to observation alone.     

Accuracy of intraoperative imprint cytology of sentinel lymph nodes in breast cancer

BACKGROUND: In breast cancer treatment, immediate completion of axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) can be performed if the intraoperative sentinel lymph node (SLN) examination is positive. This study evaluates the accuracy of intraoperative imprint cytology (IC) for detecting SLN metastases. METHODS: Pathology reports from 385 SLN biopsy examinations were reviewed retrospectively. The SLNs were serially sectioned perpendicular to the long axis and IC was performed intraoperatively. The SLNs then were formalin-fixed for permanent sections. Final pathology was compared with the intraoperative IC results. RESULTS: The sensitivities for IC detection of N0(i+) (n = 36), N1mi (n = 24), and N1a-3a (n = 65) metastases were 0%, 4%, and 74%, respectively. The specificity was 100%. CONCLUSIONS: Final pathology identified 89 (23%) patients with N1 or greater disease. IC allowed 49 (55%) of these patients to undergo synchronous completion of ALND. No unnecessary completion ALNDs were performed. The sensitivity of IC decreased with decreasing size of the metastasis.     

Performance of models predicting residual lymph node disease in melanoma patients following sentinel lymph node biopsy

BackgroundAmong melanoma patients with a tumor-positive sentinel node biopsy (SNB), approximately 20% harbor disease in non-sentinel nodes (nSN), as determined by a completion lymph node dissection (CLND). CLND lacks a survival benefit and has high morbidity. This study assesses predictive factors for nSN metastasis and validates five models predicting nSN metastasis.MethodsPatients with invasive melanoma were identified from the BC Cancer Agency (2005–2015). Clinicopathological data were collected from 296 patients who underwent a CLND after a positive SNB. Multivariate analysis was completed to assess predictive variables in the study population. Five models were externally validated using overall model performance (Brier score [calibration and discrimination]) and discrimination (area under the ROC curve [AUC]).ResultsSeventy-three patients had nSN metastasis at the time of CLND. The variable most predictive of nSN involvement was lymphovascular invasion (odds ratio [OR] 3.99; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.67–9.54; p = 0.002). The highest discrimination was Lee et al. (2004) (AUC 0.68 [95% CI 0.61–0.75]), Rossi et al. (2018) (AUC 0.68 [95% CI 0.57–0.77]), and Bertolli et al. (2019) (AUC 0.68 [95% CI 0.60–0.75]). Rossi et al. (2018) had the lowest overall model performance (Brier score 0.44). Rossi et al. (2018) and Bertolli et al. (2019) had the ability to stratify patients to a risk of nSN involvement up to 99% and 95%, respectively.ConclusionBertolli et al. (2019) had amongst the highest overall model performance, was the most clinically meaningful and is recommended as the preferred model for predicting nSN metastasis.     

前哨淋巴结活检在食管癌手术中的应用

前哨淋巴结（SLN）是原发肿瘤发生淋巴结转移时首先累及到的淋巴结,SLN导航手术在黑色素瘤和乳腺癌中的应用得到了广泛证实.近年来,在胃肠道肿瘤手术中的应用也得到越来越高的重视.然而,与其他肿瘤相比,由于食管癌特殊的解剖学部位和淋巴引流途径,SLN在食管癌手术中应用的有效性和可行性存在较大争议.淋巴结微转移是影响无淋巴结转移食管癌患者预后的重要因素,SLN微转移的检测对食管癌治疗方案的制定具有重要意义.本文简要论述近年来SLN活检在食管癌手术中的应用,并阐述其临床意义.     

乳腺癌前哨淋巴结微转移的研究

目的：提高乳腺癌前哨淋巴结（SLN）病理诊断的准确性，为手术彻底切除肿瘤提供依据。方法：应用亚甲蓝生物染色的方法确定60例Ⅰ、Ⅱ期乳腺癌SLN并活检，44（73．3％）例SLN取材成功。每一枚SLN均进行冰冻病理切片、石蜡病理和角蛋白Keratinl9（CK-19）逆转录聚合酶链反应（RT—PCR）检测。结果：44例SLN冰冻病理切片、石蜡病理切片和CK-19诊断的灵敏度和特异度分别是77．8％和100．0％、88．9％和100．0％、100．0％和82．9％，诊断符合率分别为95．5％、97．7％和86．4％，诊断指数分别为0．778、0．889和0．829。结论：CK-19检测可进一步提高乳腺癌SLN微转移的检出率，提高SLN活检的准确性。但CK-19检测与冰冻病理病理检查联合应用可提高诊断的准确率和临床的可操作性。     

A critique of the sentinel node concept

The concept of "the sentinel node" is false. In the axilla, the lymphatic system usually first drains into a group of low axillary nodes (level 1). The validity, as a staging procedure, of a 4 node axillary sample was demonstrated 30 years ago by Prof. Sir Patrick Forrest. Sentinel node biopsy (SNB) should not become the standard of care for all breast cancer patients. All the various options (axillary sampling, SNB, axillary dissection or simply a watchful attitude) are acceptable and to be advised according to the patient's wishes and conditions and to the tumour characteristics. We would also propose the change of the terminology from SNB to "guided axilary sampling" (GAS).     

Regional recurrence in the era of sentinel lymph node biopsy

Background

The incidence of all-location regional recurrence after sentinel lymph node biopsy is not well documented. This study attempts to identify risk factors.

Methods

A prospectively maintained database was queried to identify patients with a regional recurrence of breast cancer after a first operation for invasive unilateral breast cancer. Patients with regional recurrence were compared with those alive and disease free at 5 years.

Results

Twenty-one of 1,060 patients (2%) experienced a regional recurrence. Most patients (95%) underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy as their axillary staging. Those with regional recurrences had larger tumors (P < .001), higher stage disease (P < .001), more estrogen receptor– and triple-negative breast cancers (P < .001), and more positive lymph nodes (P = .007). Mastectomy (P = .001) and receipt of neoadjuvant and/or chemotherapy (P < .001) were more common among those with regional recurrences.

Conclusions

Regional recurrence of breast cancer occurs infrequently. Risk factors include high-risk cancers, higher stage at presentation, nodal involvement, and need for therapies reflecting higher risk biology.     

Level III axillary lymph nodes involvement in node positive breast cancer received neoadjuvant chemotherapy

ObjectiveTo investigate the incidence, associated factors and prognosis of level III node involvement for breast cancer with positive axillary lymph nodes after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.MethodsA consecutive series of 521 node positive T_0–2 invasive breast cancer cases were included in this retrospective study. Axillary node metastases were proved by ultrasound guided needle biopsy (NB) if ultrasonographic abnormal node was detected or by sentinel node biopsy (SNB) if no abnormal node was detected. After 4 to 8 cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT）, axillary lymph nodes dissection included level III lymph nodes were completed for each case.ResultsThe pathologic complete response rate of axillary nodes was 31.1% (90/289) in NB positive subgroup. The incidence of residual positive level III lymph nodes were 9.0% (47/521). Multivariate analysis showed that node NB positivity (OR = 2.212, 95% CI: 1.022–4.787, P = 0.044), clinical tumor size >2 cm before NCT (OR = 2.672, 95% CI: 1.170–6.098, P = 0.020), and primary tumor non-response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (OR = 1.718, 95% CI: 1.232–2.396, P = 0.001) were independent predictors of level III lymph nodes positivity. At median follow-up time of 30 months, the distant disease-free survival (DDFS) rate of level III node positive group was much lower than that of level III negative group (p = 0.011).ConclusionsAbout 9% of node positive T_0–2 breast cancer will have residual positive node in level III region after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Node positivity proved by NB, large tumor size, and primary tumor non-response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy are independent predictors of level III lymph nodes positivity.