乳腺癌的CT表现与病理对照研究

目的 联系病理学变化,分析乳腺癌的CT表现和特征,评价CT扫描在乳癌及内乳和腋窝淋巴结转移诊断中的价值。方法 应用CT检查36例乳癌病人,其中浸润性导管癌15例,浸润性小叶癌1例,髓样癌5例,单纯癌8例,硬癌2例,腺癌4例,Paget氏病1例。结果 (1)乳腺癌CT表现为:圆形、椭圆形和不规则形肿块,成簇排列细小钙化点,边缘毛刺,皮肤增厚和周围脂肪间隙变形等。(2)CT有较高的密度分辨率,能检出直径<1cm的癌灶。(3)大多数乳癌血供丰富,增强扫描癌灶 有显著强化,增强前后CT值之差(△CT)>50HU。(4)CT增强后肿瘤供血血管的显示(占38.9％)对乳癌诊断有帮助价值。(5)CT有助于乳腺癌内乳和腋窝淋巴结转移的诊断。结论 CT扫描对乳腺癌的早期发现和定性诊断以及评价内乳和腋窝淋巴结有无转移都有很大的诊断价值。     

畸胎瘤螺旋CT诊断与病理对照分析

收集经螺旋CT诊断及手术病理证实的畸胎瘤30例，均行螺旋CT平扫 增强扫描和病理组织学检查，并将螺旋CT表现与病理表现进行对照分析。结果良性囊性畸胎瘤28例，恶性畸胎瘤2例。CT扫描对于瘤内的脂肪、钙化以及类似牙齿和骨骼状组织等多种成分均可清楚显示，对干灶周的转移病灶亦可较全面的显示。螺旋CT表现与手术病理表现基本一致。     

非小细胞肺癌纵隔淋巴结分期:螺旋CT和病理检查对照

背景与目的:非小细胞肺癌纵隔淋巴结分期对肿瘤的规范化治疗方案的选择和预后判断具有极其重要的意义。本研究旨在通过比较螺旋CT和病理检查对非小细胞肺癌纵隔淋巴结分期的结果,评价螺旋CT检查对纵隔淋巴结分期的临床参考价值。方法:对89例病理确诊的非小细胞肺癌患者同时进行螺旋CT检查和纵隔镜检查,将CT对纵隔淋巴结分期结果与淋巴结最后病理分期做一一对照,对比分析螺旋CT检查诊断纵隔淋巴结转移的敏感性、特异性和准确率。结果:与纵隔淋巴结最后病理分期一一对照,螺旋CT检查诊断纵隔淋巴结转移的敏感性为58.9%,特异性为70.0%,阳性预测值60.5%,阴性预测值68.6%,总的准确率为65.2%。螺旋CT检查诊断4R、5、6、7组淋巴结转移的准确率和特异性偏低,诊断4R组和7组淋巴结转移的假阳性和假阴性较高。结论:螺旋CT检查对非小细胞肺癌纵隔淋巴结临床分期有一定的临床参考价值,但存在一定的假阳性和假阴性,应结合其他检查手段,比如纵隔镜,以进行更精确的分期。     

食管癌淋巴结转移术前CT扫描与术后病理诊断一致性研究

目的 探讨食管癌术前CT扫描诊断淋巴结转移与术后病理结果的一致性,为食管癌放疗靶区勾画提供参考标准.方法 回顾分析本院接受食管癌根治性切除术的618例患者,术前均未行放化疗,术后病理资料完整.均于术前1周在本院行颈、胸、腹部CT检查,将CT图像经网络以数字化形式传输到三维治疗计划系统,并经三维重建成像.观察测量并记录CT诊断淋巴结转移的敏感性、特异性、准确率,与术后病理诊断一致率比较行x2检验或Fisdher's精确法.结果 全组淋巴结转移率为39.2%,下颈及锁上区、上纵隔、中纵隔、下纵隔及上腹区的转移率胸上段分别为3.2%、20.8%、6.4%、2.4%、8.0%,胸中段分别为1.5%、7.8%、22.0%、3.5%、22.8%,胸下段分别为0%、2.0%、21.4%、6.1%、32.7%.术前CT对食管癌淋巴结转移诊断的敏感性、特异性、准确率分别为58.3%、70.7%、65.9%.全组CT诊断0、1、2、≥3个淋巴结转移与术后病理证实转移的一致率分别为72.4%、32.2%、58.3%、73.1%(x2=82.61,P=0.000).胸上段癌中CT诊断无淋巴结转移与术后病理证实的一致率高于1个淋巴结转移与术后病理证实的一致率(85.8%∶36.8%,P=0.000);胸中段癌中CT诊断0、1、2、≥3个淋巴结转移与术后病理的一致率分别为71.1%、30.1%、55.6%、77.8%(x2=55.14,P=0.000).结论 术前CT扫描尚能比较准确地反映食管癌淋巴结转移的分布规律,尤其诊断无淋巴结转移和3个以上淋巴结转移时与术后病理的一致率最高,而诊断1个淋巴结转移时与术后病理的一致率最低,为根治性切除术后放疗的靶区勾画提供一定参考.

Abstract：

Objective To analyze the rule of lymph node metastasis, compare the preoperative computed tomographic findings with pathological diagnosis in thoracic esophageal carcinoma and to evaluate the clinical value. Methods Six hundred and eighteen patients with esophageal carcinoma after radical resection were enrolled. All patients did not receive any preoperative radiotherapy or chemotherapy, having complete information of postoperative pathological reports. CT scanning were applied to all patients in our hospital. The CT image were transmitted to the three-dimensional treatment planning system via the network at digital format and be reconstructed. In which system the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy rates in diagnosis of lymph node metastasis of the preoperative CT image were observed, measured and recorded. x2 test or Fisdher's statistical methods was adopted for comparing the concord rate of preoperative CT scanning with postoperative pathological diagnosis. Results Lymph nodes metastasis were defected in 242 of the 618 treated patients(39.2%), The rate of lymph node metastasis present in lower neck, upper-mediastinum,middle-mediastinum, lower-mediastinum, and superior abdomen regions in upper-thoracic esophageal carcinoma were 3.2% ,20.8% ,6.4% ,2.4% and 8.0%, in middle-thoracic esophageal carcinoma 1.5%,7.8% ,22.0% ,3.5% and 22.8%, and in lower-thoracic esophageal carcinoma 0% ,2.0% ,21.4% ,6.1% and 32.7%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value,younden index and accuracy rates of diagnosis of lymph node metastasis with preoperative CT scan were 58.3%, 70.7%, 56.2%, 72.5%, 29.0% and 65.9%, respectively. The concordance rate of 0, 1, 2 and ≥ 3 lymph node metastasis by preoperative CT scanning with postoperative pathological diagnosis were 72.4%, 32.2% , 58.3% and 73.1%, respectively in whole group(x2 = 82. 61, P = 0.000). The concordance rate of no lymph node metastasis by CT scan comparing with that by postoperative pathological diagnosis was higher than that of the 1 lymph node metastasis in upper-thoracic esophageal carcinoma 3 lymph node metastasis were 71.1%, 30.1%, 55.6% and 77.8%, respectively(x2 =55.14,P =0.000.Conclusions Preoperative CT image can accurately predict the distribution patterns of the lymph node metastasis in esophageal carcinoma. The concordance rate was the highest in diagnosis of 0 and ≥3 lymph node metastasis, the lowest in diagnosis of one lymph node metastasis. These findings are valuable for definition of the target range of radiotherapy after radical resection of esophageal carcinoma.     

依据CT及MRI确定区域淋巴结转移的病理对照研究

目的 评估分别依据CT及DWMRI确定胸部肿瘤区域淋巴结转移的诊断效能,寻找更为合理准确的淋巴结勾画方法及界值。方法 2012—2013年共入组43例胸部肿瘤患者(食管癌35例、NSCLC 8例),术前1周完善胸腹强化CT及DWMRI检查,分别依据CT及DWIMR图像确定转移的区域淋巴结,以术后病理为金标准统计并比较两种方法的诊断效能。两种图像结果行χ²检验。结果 CT图像与DWI诊断区域淋巴结转移的敏感性、特异性、准确性、阳性预测值、阴性预测值、约登指数分别为57.1%、96.3%、93.8%、50.0%、97.2%、53.4%和60.0%、98.9%、96.5%、77.8%、97.4%、58.9%,DWMRI诊断的特异性、准确性、阳性预测值优于CT (P=0.005、0.038、0.022)。依据CT诊断的40个淋巴结中20个为假阳性,其中15个(75%)可经DWMRI信息纠正。CT诊断假阴性淋巴结15个,其中3个(20%)可经DWMRI得以分辩。全组35个癌性淋巴结中5个影像学未见明确肿大,余30个中有13个短径<1.0 cm (43.3%)。结论 依据CT判断区域淋巴结转移局限性明显,单以短径≥1.0 cm作为靶区勾画标准可能会漏照较多癌性淋巴结。DWMRI诊断区域淋巴结转移的特异性、准确性及阳性预测值优于CT,可有效排除非癌性肿大淋巴结并分辨部分小的转移性淋巴结。     

残胃癌的多层螺旋CT表现与术后病理对照分析

目的：探讨残胃癌的多层螺旋CT表现以及多层螺旋CT对残胃癌的诊断价值。方法收集经手术病理证实的22例残胃癌的螺旋CT检查结果,分析不同病理类型的残胃癌的螺旋CT表现。结果22例残胃癌均经手术病理证实,其中印戒细胞癌5例,低分化腺癌7例,中分化腺癌7例,高分化腺癌3例。残胃癌的病理类型以低分化腺癌多见,好发于吻合口,CT表现为吻合口及残胃胃壁受侵犯最常见,其次为贲门区胃壁,再次为食管下段及空肠,表现为胃壁增厚,僵硬,形态不规则,不均匀强化。结论多层螺旋CT对残胃癌的定位和定性诊断提供一定依据,CT表现可与病理类型相对应并对外科手术方式及其他临床治疗方案的选择具有一定参考价值。     

畸胎瘤螺旋CT诊断与病理对照分析

收集经螺旋CT诊断及手术病理证实的畸胎瘤 3 0例 ,均行螺旋CT平扫 +增强扫描和病理组织学检查 ,并将螺旋CT表现与病理表现进行对照分析。结果良性囊性畸胎瘤 2 8例 ,恶性畸胎瘤 2例。CT扫描对于瘤内的脂肪、钙化以及类似牙齿和骨骼状组织等多种成分均可清楚显示 ,对于灶周的转移病灶亦可较全面的显示。螺旋CT表现与手术病理表现基本一致。     

上皮源性腮腺恶性肿瘤的CT征象与病理对照研究

背景与目的:上皮源性腮腺恶性肿瘤种类繁多,CT为腮腺占位的常用影像学检查方法,本研究旨在通过回顾性分析上皮源性恶性肿瘤的CT征象,探讨CT在上皮源性腮腺恶性肿瘤的诊断价值.方法:对经病理确诊的29例上皮源性腮腺恶性肿瘤的CT征象,包括病灶的部位、形态、边界、强化程度、均匀性、邻近组织的浸润、淋巴结转移等进行回顾性分析,并与病理进行对照研究.结果:(1)腮腺低度恶性肿瘤组:共8例,4例为高分化粘液表皮样癌、3例为腺泡细胞癌、1例为上皮-肌上皮癌;3例病灶边缘清楚,3例病灶边缘部分欠清,2例病灶边缘不清;5例病灶形态规则,3例病灶形态不规则;8例病灶均呈明显强化,2例病灶内密度均匀,6例病灶内可见低密度区;所有的病灶均未见侵犯邻近肌群的CT征象,有3例出现淋巴结转移征象.(2)腮腺中高度恶性肿瘤组:共21例,5例为低分化鳞癌、8例为恶性混合瘤、2例为腺癌、1例为淋巴上皮癌、4例为粘液表皮样癌、1例为腺样囊性癌;5例病灶边缘清楚,7例病灶边缘部分欠清,9例病灶边缘不清;10例病灶形态规则,1l例病灶形态不规则;17例病灶呈明显强化,4例恶性混合瘤病灶呈轻度强化;9例病灶内密度均匀,12例病灶内可见低密度区;8例病灶侵犯邻近肌群,8例病灶与腮腺床的脂肪间隙消失,6例出现淋巴结转移征象.结论:上皮源性腮腺恶性肿瘤的CT征象在一定程度上和肿瘤的恶性程度存在相关性,但是,还须结合肿瘤的大小、肿瘤的病理组织学类型才能做出更精确的影像学诊断.     

VX2兔脑瘤模型三维放疗解剖学靶区灌注CT与增强CT对照研究

目的 利用灌注CT血容量图(BV)评价兔VX2脑瘤模型大体靶体积(GTV)、临床靶体积(CTV),并设增强CT(CECT)作为对照.方法 对20只成功建模兔VX2脑瘤模型行灌注CT检查,测量脑瘤兴趣层面在增强CT、血容量(BV)图像上长、短径,并与其同层病理学GTV、CTV结果比较.结果 20例GTVBV长、短径平均值分别为(11.98±3.29)、(7.03±1.82)mm,GTVCECT的分别为(6.36±3.85)、(3.17±1.93)mm,同层病理学GTV的分别为(8.19±2.29)、(4.83±1.31)mm,CTV的分别为(12.87±3.74)、(7.71±2.15)mm.GTVBv与GTV病理长、短径均不同(t=7.17,P=0.000和t=8.37,P=0.000).GTVCECT与GTV病理、CTV病理长、短径也均不同(t=-3.18,P=0.005和t=-4.24,P=0.000;t=-11.59,P=0.000和t=-9.39,P=0.000).GTVBv与CTV病理长、短径相似(t=-1.95,P=0.067和t=-2.06,P=0.054).采用CECT评价CTV病理的长、短径外放比例平均值分别为81.83%±40.33%、276.73%±131.46%,利用GTVBV评价脑瘤CTV的长、短径外放比例平均值分别为7.93%±17.84%、12.52%±27.83%(t=-7.36,P=0.000和t=-8.78,P=0.000).结论 灌注CT的BV图较传统CECT能更好评价脑瘤的解剖学靶区.     

螺旋CT对非小细胞肺癌纵隔淋巴结分期的诊断价值

目的：评价螺旋CT对非小细胞肺癌纵隔淋巴结分期的诊断价值。方法：对89例病理确诊NSCLC的患者进行CT纵隔淋巴结分期，并同淋巴结最后病理分期做一一对照。结果：CT对纵隔淋巴结转移总的敏感性为58．9％，特异性为70．o％，阳性预测值60．5％，阴性预测值68．6％，总的准确率为65-2％。CT对4R、5、6,7组淋巴结的准确率和特异性偏低。4R组和7组淋巴结的假阳性和假阴性较高。结论：CT是评价肺癌患者纵隔淋巴结转移的重要检查手段，能提供有效的纵隔淋巴结转移信息，但存在一定的假阳性和假阴性，应结合其他检查手段达到更精确的分期。     

早期乳腺癌前哨淋巴结活检替代腋窝淋巴结清扫的临床应用研究

目的 对前哨淋巴结活检(sentinel lymph node biopsy,SLNB)替代腋窝淋巴结清扫(axillary lymph node dis-section,ALND)在早期乳腺癌患者中的应用以及安全性研究及探讨.方法 回顾性分析行SLNB和ALND手术的503例早期乳腺癌病例,对患者住院时间、拔管时间及住院费用进行对比,以及对患者上肢并发症、腋窝局部复发及远处转移情况进行随访,随访至2016年06月,中位随访时间为32(6 ～52)个月.结果 在住院时间、拔管时间、住院费用以及上肢并发症方面,SLNB组明显优于ALND组,差异有统计学意义,而在腋窝局部复发及远处转移情况方面两组无统计学意义.结论 在SLN阴性早期乳腺癌中,SLNB与ALND可以取得相同的疗效,而且,SLNB与ALND相比,手术创伤小,麻木疼痛、肩关节活动受限等术后并发症明显减少,且可缩短患者住院时间,减轻患者的经济负担.     

前哨淋巴结活检阴性乳腺癌患者行低位部分腋窝淋巴结清扫的必要性探讨

目的 探讨前哨淋巴结活检（sentinel lymph node biopsy, SLNB）阴性行低位部分腋窝淋巴结清扫（low partial axillary lymph node dissection, LPALND）的必要性。方法 收集138例影像学检查提示腋窝淋巴结肿大、SLNB阴性（≤4枚）并进一步行LPALND乳腺癌患者临床病理资料进行回顾性分析,探讨患者行LPALND的必要性。结果 SLNB 2枚组、3枚组与4枚组发生LPALN转移概率比较差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）。但1枚组与4枚组发生LPALN转移概率比较差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。结论 对影像学检查提示腋窝淋巴结肿大行SLNB 1枚阴性患者应行LPALND, 2~3枚阴性患者建议行LPALND,4枚阴性患者可免于行LPALND。     

对比分析乳腔镜腋窝淋巴结清扫术与常规淋巴结清扫术对乳腺癌的临床疗效

目的比较分析乳腔镜腋窝淋巴结清扫术与常规淋巴结清扫术对乳腺癌的临床疗效。方法将90例乳腺癌患者随机分为对照组和治疗组,每组45例。对照组患者给予常规淋巴结清扫术治疗,治疗组则给予患者乳腔镜腋窝淋巴结清扫术。比较分析2组的手术时间、淋巴结清扫数量、出血量、术后引流量及住院时间等,以及术后并发症发生情况、随访情况。结果治疗组患者的出血量以及术后引流量显著低于对照组,而手术时间则显著高于对照组(P<0.05);治疗组患者的淋巴结清扫数目和住院时间优于对照组,但组间比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);治疗组的并发症发生率为4.4%,显著低于对照组的17.7%,组间比较差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。此外随访结果显示,治疗组患者的瘢痕面积显著小于对照组(P<0.05),而复发、转移等情况比较无明显差异。结论相较于常规淋巴结清扫术,乳腔镜腋窝淋巴结清扫术具有创伤小、恢复快、并发症少等优点。     

精准治疗理念下乳腺癌患者腋窝淋巴结的评估与处理

腋窝淋巴结状态是乳腺癌分期、治疗决策以及预后判断的重要依据。精准医疗时代的到来更突显了腋窝淋巴结状态评估的重要性。除查体、超声等常规检查外,乳腺核磁、PET/CT以及近红外荧光、超顺磁性氧化铁、光声造影剂等新方法也可提供指导,其中前哨淋巴结活检是最重要的检查方法。新的临床证据表明前哨淋巴结阴性和前哨淋巴结1~2枚阳性的患者可以免除腋窝淋巴结清扫。炎性反应指标的比值可能是预测淋巴结转移的有用指标。部分高龄患者可以免除腋窝手术并获得良好预后。本文将围绕腋窝淋巴结的评估方法和处理争议进行梳理和总结,以期为精准治疗理念下乳腺癌患者腋窝淋巴结的处理提供新的指导。     

临床T1～2N0M0乳腺癌患者腋窝淋巴结转移的高危因素探讨

目的 :探讨临床T1～ 2 N0 M0 乳腺癌患者腋窝淋巴结转移 (ALNM)的高危因素。方法 :采用回顾性病例对照研究 ,对 2 5 6例乳腺癌患者进行单因素及多因素Logistic回归分析。 结果 :多因素分析显示微淋巴管浸润、肿瘤大小、肿瘤部位、癌周浸润、间质浸润等 5个指标进入Logistic回归方程 ,P值分别为 0、0 .0 0 5 6、0 .0 2 3 9、0 .0 2 2 5和0 .0 30 1。结论 :微淋巴管浸润、肿瘤大小、肿瘤部位、癌周浸润、间质浸润等为临床T1～ 2 N0 M0 乳腺癌患者ALNM的高危因素 ;了解高危因素 ,有助于临床准确判断ALNM情况。     

乳腺癌Kodama法改良根治术的临床应用研究

探讨对腋淋巴结阳性乳腺癌患者行Kodama术式的应用临床及意义。方法：322例乳腺癌患者,154例临床腋淋巴结阳性乳腺癌患者采用Kodama术式,168例行常规Auchinclos改良根治术式,对两组情况进行比较,同时随访观察患者的预后情况。结果：两组患者手术时间差异无统计学意义,行改进术式患者腋下清扫淋巴结总数及L3组淋巴结数较常规术式多,两组差异有统计学意义,Kodama术式组患者5年无瘤生存率为58.9%,常规术式组患者5年无瘤生存率为51.1%,两组差异无统计学意义。结论：对临床腋淋巴结阳性乳腺癌患者行全腋下淋巴结清扫具有一定的临床应用价值,采用Kodama术式有利于对L3组淋巴结的清扫。     

Histologic Grade and Decrease in Tumor Dimensions Affect Axillary Lymph Node Status after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer Patients

Purpose

The purposes our study was to find out any histologic factors associated with negative conversion of axillary lymph node (ALN) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). We also evaluated the association between the decrease in size of primary breast tumor and negative conversion of ALN.

Methods

From January 2012 to November 2014, we included 133 breast cancer patients who underwent NAC and who had ALN metastases which were confirmed on fine-needle aspiration or core needle biopsy at initial diagnosis. All 133 patients underwent initial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at the time of diagnosis and preoperative MRI after completion of NAC. We measured the longest dimension of primary breast cancer on MRI.

Results

Of 133 patients, 39 patients (29%) showed negative conversion of ALN and of these 39 patients, 25 patients (64%) showed pathologic complete remission of primary breast. On univariate analysis, mean percent decrease in longest dimension, estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 status and histologic grade were significantly associated with the ALN status after NAC (p<0.001, p=0.001, p< 0.001, p=0.001, p=0.002, respectively). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, percent decrease in longest dimension (odds ratio, 1.026; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.009-1.044) and histologic grade (odds ratio, 3.964; 95% CI, 1.151-13.657) were identified as being independently associated with the ALN status after NAC. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.835 with the best cutoff value of 80% decrease in longest dimension. Combination of high histologic grade and more than 80% decrease in longest dimension showed 64% sensitivity and 92% specificity.

Conclusion

High histologic grade and more than 80% decrease in primary tumor dimension were associated with negative conversion of ALN after NAC.     

18F-FDG PET-CT CT 在诊断乳腺癌腋窝淋巴结转移状态的对比研究*

目的:通过与CT对比,探讨18F-FDG PET-CT 在诊断乳腺癌患者腋窝淋巴结转移中的价值。方法:回顾性分析22例行乳腺癌改良根治术患者的术前18F-FDG PET-CT 、CT图像。在CT图像上分别以淋巴结最短径>0.5cm（A 标准）、最短径≥1.0cm（B 标准）及最长径≥1.0cm（C 标准）为判定淋巴结转移的标准;在PET-CT 图像上,分别以目测腋窝淋巴结出现18F-FDG 异常放射性浓聚为判定淋巴结阳性的标准（D 标准）及半定量分析法异常放射性浓聚灶最大标准化摄取值（maximum standard uptake value ,SUV max）≥1.0 为判定淋巴结转移标准（E 标准）。 以术后病理为金标准,比较不同影像方法诊断腋窝淋巴结转移状态的价值。结果:乳腺癌患者腋窝阳性与阴性淋巴结在大小及SUV max 方面的差异均具有统计学意义。不同诊断标准中,以PET-CT 的总体诊断准确率及与病理吻合度Kappa 值最高,其中A 标准灵敏度最高（59.3%）而特异度最低（83.5%）;B 标准特异度和阳性预测值最高（分别为98.2% 、72.7%）,而灵敏度和阴性预测值最低（27.1% 、88.4%）;C 标准各项诊断指标相对较差,无突出项;PET-CT 图像目测与半定量诊断结果相同,其诊断准确性（90.1%）、阴性预测值（92.5%）均优于单独CT诊断,且与病理诊断吻合度较好（Kappa 值为0.57）,在诊断灵敏度（55.9%）、特异度（96.1%）及阳性预测值（71.7%）方面与单独CT比较也具较高诊断价值,阳性组SUV max 较阴性组明显为高,二者差异有统计学意义（P=0.000）。 不同影像方法在诊断腋窝淋巴结转移时差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。 结论:18F-FDG PET-CT 是一种直观有效的评价乳腺癌腋窝淋巴结转移状态的方法。      

A Model to Predict Pathologic Complete Response of Axillary Lymph Nodes to Neoadjuvant Chemo(Immuno)Therapy in Patients With Clinically Node-Positive Breast Cancer

BackgroundBetween 20% and 42% of patients with clinically node-positive breast cancer achieve a pathologic complete response (pCR) of axillary lymph nodes after neoadjuvant chemotherapy or immunotherapy, or both, (chemo[immuno]therapy). Hypothetically, axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) may be safely omitted in these patients. This study aimed to develop a model for predicting axillary pCR in these patients.Patients and MethodsWe retrospectively identified patients with clinically node-positive breast cancer who were treated with neoadjuvant chemo(immuno)therapy and ALND between 2005 and 2012 in 5 hospitals. Patient and tumor characteristics, neoadjuvant chemo(immuno)therapy regimens, and pathology reports were extracted. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to predict axillary pCR with the following variables: age, tumor stage and type, hormone receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status, and administration of taxane and trastuzumab. The model was internally validated by bootstrap resampling. The overall performance of the model was assessed by the Brier score and the discriminative performance by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.ResultsA model was developed based on 291 patients and was internally validated with a scaled Brier score of 0.14. The area under the ROC curve of this model was 0.77 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.71-0.82). At a cutoff value of predicted probability ≥ 0.50, the model demonstrated specificity of 88%, sensitivity of 43%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 65%, and negative predictive value (NPV) of 75%.ConclusionThis prediction model shows reasonable accuracy for predicting axillary pCR. However, omitting axillary treatment based solely on the nomogram score is not justified. Further research is warranted to noninvasively identify patients with axillary pCR.     

Clinical Significance of the Axillary Arch in Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy

Purpose

The axillary arch is an anomalous muscle that is not infrequently encountered during axillary sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) of breast cancer patients. In this study, we aimed to investigate how often the axillary arch is found during SLNB and whether it affects the intraoperative sentinel lymph node (SLN) identification rate.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the correlation between the presence of the axillary arch and the SLN sampling failure rate during SLNB in 1,069 patients who underwent axillary SLNB for invasive breast cancer.

Results

Of 1,069 patients who underwent SLNB, 79 patients (7.4%) had the axillary arch present. The SLNB failure rate was high when the patient''s body mass index was ≥25 (p=0.026), when a single SLN mapping technique was used (p=0.012), and when the axillary arch was present (p<0.001). These three factors were also found to be statistically significant by multivariate analysis, and of these three factors, presence of the axillary arch most significantly increased the SLNB failure rate (hazard ratio, 10.96; 95% confidence interval, 4.42-27.21; p<0.001). Additionally, if the axillary arch was present, the mean operative time of SLNB was 20.8 minutes, compared to 12.5 minutes when the axillary arch was not present (p<0.001). If the axillary arch was present, the SLN was often located in a high axillary region (67%) rather than in a general low axillary location.

Conclusion

The axillary arch was found to be a significant factor affecting intraoperative SLN failure rate. It is necessary to keep in mind that carefully checking the high axillar region during SLNB in breast cancer patients with the axillary arch is important for reducing SLN sampling failure.