1个前哨淋巴结阳性乳腺癌患者的腋窝非前哨#br# 淋巴结转移情况及危险因素分析#br#

目的研究1个前哨淋巴结阳性的乳腺癌患者腋窝非前哨淋巴结（NSLN）转移情况及危险因素,为该类患者豁免腋窝淋巴结清扫（ALND）提供指导。方法选取2013年1月至2020年12月在哈尔滨医科大学附属肿瘤医院行前哨淋巴结活检（SLNB）证实仅有1个前哨淋巴结阳性且行ALND的乳腺癌患者465例,根据其腋窝NSLN转移情况,分为NSLN转移组104例,NSLN未转移组361例。比较两组的一般资料,采用二元Logistic回归分析腋窝NSLN转移的独立影响因素。结果465例仅1个前哨淋巴结转移的乳腺癌患者中,104例（224%）发生腋窝NSLN转移。其中,多个亚组患者的腋窝NSLN转移率<10%,如肿瘤T1a+b期的NSLN转移率仅91%、肿瘤T1期且前哨淋巴结数量＞5个的腋窝NSLN转移率仅70%等。单因素分析结果显示,NSLN转移组与NSLN未转移组前哨淋巴结数、肿瘤T分期差异有统计学意义（P<005）。前哨淋巴结2～5个、肿瘤分期为T2～T3期的患者更容易发生腋窝NSLN转移。多因素Logistic回归分析显示,肿瘤分期为T2～T3期、前哨淋巴结数≤5个是患者腋窝NSLN转移的独立危险因素。结论仅有1个前哨淋巴结转移的乳腺癌患者总体腋窝NSLN转移率为224%,肿瘤T分期和前哨淋巴结数为腋窝NSLN转移的影响因素,在对仅1个前哨淋巴结阳性的乳腺癌患者豁免ALND时应重点考虑。     

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.     

早期乳腺癌腋窝前哨淋巴结阳性患者腋窝非前哨淋巴结转移风险预测

目的 分析前哨淋巴结活检(SLNB)1~2个阳性乳腺癌患者中非前哨淋巴结(NSLN)转移的影响因素并构建预测模型。方法 回顾分析2008-2014年中国医学科学院北京协和医学院肿瘤医院未行新辅助化疗前哨淋巴结 1~2个阳性并行腋窝淋巴结清扫的乳腺癌患者的临床病理因素。计数资料组间比较采用χ²检验,多因素分析采用Logistic回归模型。以AUC值和校正曲线对Nomogram预测模型进行评估。结果 共 270例患者纳入研究,87例(32.2%)存在NSLN转移。中位年龄46(21~80)岁,中位SLN送检个数4(1~10)个,中位腋窝淋巴结清扫个数20(10~41)个。单因素分析结果显示病理分级、SLN宏转移、阳性SLN个数和阴性SLN个数是腋窝NSLN转移的影响因素(P=0.001~0.045)。多因素分析结果显示病理分级、阳性SLN个数和阴性SLN个数是NSLN转移的独立影响因素(P=0.000~0.041)。乳腺癌NSLN转移Nomogram预测模型AUC=0.70,当预测患者的NSLN转移率≤15%时,假阴性率仅为10.5%。结论 Nomogram预测模型可作为临床医师进行腋窝处理时的决策参考,对于NSLN转移概率低的患者可以避免行腋窝淋巴结清扫或腋窝放疗。     

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.     

Predictors of non-sentinel lymph node metastasis in breast cancer patients with positive sentinel lymph node (Pilot study)

Background: Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (SLNB) procedure was found to be an accurate method of staging the axilla in patients with early stage breast cancer. The standard of care for breast cancer patients with positive SLN metastasis includes complete Axillary Lymph Node Dissection (ALND). However, in 40–70% of patients, the SLN is the only involved axillary node. Factors predicting non SLN metastasis should be identified in order to define subgroups of patients with positive SLN in whom the axilla may be staged by SLNB alone.Objectives: To identify the factors predicting metastatic involvement of the non-SLNs in breast cancer patients having SLN metastasis.Patients and Methods: Data were collected and analyzed from 80 patients with early stage invasive breast cancer (T1, T2, N0, M0) who underwent SLNB at the Surgical Oncology Department, Kuwait Cancer Control Center (KCCC) between November 2004 and February 2009. SLNB was performed using a combined technique (radioactive colloid, and blue dye) in the majority of cases. In some cases, only one technique was used. Complete ALND was performed in the case of failure of SLN identification and in patients with positive SLN. Multiple variables (patient, tumor, and SLN characteristics) were tested as possible predictors of nonsentinel lymph node metastasis.Results: The mean age of patients at diagnosis was 46.6 years. The median tumor size was 2 cm. The SLN identification rate was 96.2% (77 out of 80 patients). The SLN was positive in 24 patients (31%), and half of these showed evidence of capsular invasion. The median number of SLNs removed was two. The median number of positive SLNs was one. The incidence of non-SLN metastasis associated with positive SLN was 50% (12 out of 24 patients). Lymphovascular invasion was found to be the only factor associated with non-SLN metastases. In addition, two trends were observed, though they did not reach the statistical significance: the first is that the majority of patients having capsular invasion of the SLN (8 out of 12 patients, 67%) had positive non-SLN metastasis, and the second is that the patients having more than one SLN metastasis were more likely to have non-SLN metastasis (4 out of 5, 80%).Conclusion: In the current pilot study, only the lymphovascular invasion in the area of the primary tumor was found to be significantly related to the nonsentinel lymph node metastasis. There was a tendency toward higher incidence of nonsentinel lymph node metastasis associated with the number of positive SLN and capsular invasion of SLN, though this did not reach the statistical significance. This could be attributed to the small number of patients recruited. Further evaluation of the predictors of nonsentinel lymph node metastasis on a larger number of patients is required. The validation of these predictors in prospective studies may enable approximately half of early stage breast cancer patients with positive SLN to be staged with SLNB alone while avoiding the morbidity of unnecessary ALND.     

不同分子分型1～2枚前哨淋巴结阳性乳腺癌免行腋窝淋巴结清扫的多因素分析

目的探讨不同分子分型1～2枚前哨淋巴结（sentinel lymph nodes,SLNs）阳性乳腺癌免行腋窝淋巴结清扫（axillary lymph node dissection,ALND）的临床病理因素,并为临床精准化提供依据。方法回顾性分析2009年6月至2018年6月274例就诊于内蒙古医科大学附属医院和内蒙古医科大学附属人民医院经病理证实的乳腺癌患者的临床病理资料,采用单因素及Logistic多因素分析筛选1～2枚SLN阳性但非前哨淋巴结（nonsentinel lymph node,NSLN）转移率较低的患者,同时明确其与不同分子分型的关系。结果274例1～2枚SLN阳性乳腺癌患者中,NSLN转移率为36.9%（101/274）。HER-2阳性（HR阳性）患者NSLN转移率最高, 占55.3%（21/38）;三阴性乳腺癌（triple negative breast cancer,TNBC）患者中NSLN转移率最低,占18.5%（5/27）。Luminal B型（HER-2阴性）乳腺癌患者的NSLN转移率明显高于Luminal A型（P=0.010）和TNBC患者（P=0.011）;HER-2阳性（HR阳性）乳腺癌患者的NSLN转移率明显高于Luminal A型（P=0.002）和TNBC患者（P=0.003）。 Logistic多因素分析显示,SLN转移数目（OR=4.022, 95%CI为2.348～6.889,P<0.001）,SLN检测（OR=3.846, 95%CI为1.541～9.600,P=0.004）,组织学分级（P<0.001）和分子分型（P=0.004）是1～2枚SLN阳性乳腺癌NSLN转移的独立影响因素。结论Luminal B型（HER-2阴性）和HER-2阳性（HR阳性）患者的NSLN阳性率较高,SLN转移数目、SLN检测、组织学分级和分子分型是NSLN转移的独立影响因素。      

Clinicopathological parameters and biological markers predicting non-sentinel node metastasis in sentinel node-positive breast cancer patients

The value of complete axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) has been questioned in invasive breast cancer (IBC) patients with positive sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) who have no non-sentinel lymph node (NSLN) metastases. Because biological markers have not been systematically studied in this setting, we sought to identify clinicopathological characteristics and biological markers for predicting NSLN metastases in SLN-positive IBC patients. Two hundred and five IBC patients who had at least one positive SLN and received SLN biopsy and ALND were included in our study. We examined the clinicopathological characteristics of their primary tumors, SLNs and NSLNs. We also evaluated the biological markers of the primary tumors by tissue microarray and immunohistochemistry. Of the 205 patients with SLN metastases, 89 patients (43.4%) had additional metastases in NSLNs. The following factors were found to be associated with NSLN metastases: peritumoral lymphovascular invasion (p=0.01), two or more metastatic SLNs (p<0.01), SLN metastasis >2.0 mm (p<0.01) and extra-nodal extension (p<0.01). Primary tumors >2.0 cm showed more NSLN metastases, but the association was statistically insignificant (p=0.08). In contrast, NSLN metastases were not associated with histologic grade, histologic type, presence of extensive intraductal component, presence of high grade ductal carcinoma in situ and number of harvested SLNs. Biological markers such as E-cadherin, CD44, cyclin D1, p21, ER, PR, c-erbB2, p53, Ki-67, luminal (CK7, CK18, CK19) and basal (CK5, p63) markers were not useful predictors of NSLN metastasis in IBC patients with SLN metastases. Multivariate analysis revealed that SLN metastasis >2.0 mm (p=0.01), two or more metastatic SLNs (p=0.03) and extranodal extension (p<0.01) were independent predictors of NSLN metastasis. For the prediction of NSLN metastasis in IBC patients with SLN metastases, light microscopic evaluation of the number, size and extranodal extension of metastatic SLNs by hematoxylin and eosin staining appeared to be critical. However, the biological markers of primary tumor characterized by immunohistochemical staining, such as luminal and basal markers, hormone receptors, E-cadherin, CD44, cyclin D1, p21, c-erb-B2, p53 and Ki-67, did not appear to be helpful predictors.     

Intraoperative Molecular Analysis of Total Tumor Load in Sentinel Lymph Node: A Predictor of Axillary Status in Early Breast Cancer

Background: Axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) remains the standard of care in breast cancer patients with positive sentinel lymph node (SLN). However, approximately 40–60% of patients with positive SLNs have not developed to non-SLN metastasis and ALND seems to be an overtreatment. The purpose of this study was to analyze predictors and define a specific cut-off of total tumor load (TTL) of CK19 that can be used as a predictive factor of non-SLN metastasis in early breast cancer patients. Materials and Methods: The records of 238 patients with cT1-3N0 breast cancer who had an intraoperative SLN evaluation performed through One-Step nucleic acid (OSNA) assay at Songklanagarind Hospital between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2019 were examined. Univariate and Multivariate analysis was used to identify clinicopathologic features in SLN-positive patients that predict metastasis to non-SLNs. Finally, receiver operative characteristics (ROC) curves were used to choose an optimal TTL cut-off value. Results: Of a total of 110 patients who had a positive SLN, only 48 (43.64%) were found to have positive nodes in non-SLN. Multivariate analysis revealed that lymphovascular invasion, type of SLN metastasis and SLN TTL (copies/μL) were independent predictors of positive non-SLNs.  TTL cut-off value was 19,000 copies/μL, with an AUC of 0.838 with 72.7% sensitivity and 84.7% specificity to predict non-SLN metastasis. Conclusions: The likelihood of positive non-SLNs in patients who showed a positive SLN correlates with lymphovascular invasion, type of SLN metastasis and SLN TTL (copies/μL). Our result revealed that the patients with a SLN TTL ≥19,000 copies/µl continue to attract the recommendation to proceed with ALND. This cut-off value can then help clinicians to assess which patients would benefit from ALND.     

Predictors of positive axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer patients with metastatic sentinel lymph node

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer with metastatic sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) may have clinico-pathologic factors associated with the presence of positive non-sentinel axillary nodes (NSLN). The aim of the present study was to determine factors that predict involvement of NSLN in breast cancer patients with positive SLN. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective database search identified 80 patients who underwent SLN biopsy for invasive breast cancer between January 1999 and August 2002. Clinico-pathologic data was analyzed to determine factors that predicted additional positive axillary nodes. RESULTS: A total of 23 patients had positive SLN and underwent conventional axillary lymph node dissection. Statistical analysis revealed that lympho-vascular invasion (p~0.00000), SLN metastasis >2 mm (p=0.002), and the presence of extra-nodal involvement (p=0.002), were positive predictors of the metastatic involvement of NSLN. CONCLUSIONS: The likelihood of positive NSLN correlates with pathologic parameters such as the presence of lympho-vascular invasion, size of the SLN metastasis, and extra-nodal involvement. These data may be helpful with the regard to the decision to undertake axillary dissection in breast cancer patients with metastatic sentinel lymph nodes.     

Nomogram including the total tumoral load in the sentinel nodes assessed by one-step nucleic acid amplification as a new factor for predicting nonsentinel lymph node metastasis in breast cancer patients

Several models have been developed to predict non-sentinel nodes (NSLN) metastasis in patients with a positive sentinel node (SLN) that incorporates a standard pathology examination of the SLN. It has been reported that total tumoral load (TTL) in the SLNs assessed by one-step nucleic acid amplification (OSNA) is a predictive factor for additional NSLN metastasis in the axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). The objective was to develop a nomogram that predicts patient´s risk of additional NSLN metastasis incorporating TTL in the SLNs assessed by OSNA. Six hundred and ninety-seven consecutive patients with positive SLN evaluation by OSNA and a completion ALND were recruited. Pathologic features of the primary tumor and SLN metastases, including TTL were collected. Multivariate logistic regression identified factors predictive of non-SLN metastasis. A nomogram was developed with these variables and validated in an external cohort. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, tumor size, number of affected SLN, Her2 overexpression, lymphovascular invasion, and TTL were each associated with the likelihood of additional NSLN metastasis (p < 0.05). The overall predictive accuracy of the nomogram, as measured by the AUC was 0.7552 (95 %CI 0.7159–0.7945). When applied to the external cohort the nomogram was accurate with an AUC = 0.678 (95 %CI 0.621–0.736). This novel nomogram that incorporates TTL assessed by OSNA performs well and may help clinicians to make decisions about ALND for individual patients. Moreover, the standardization of pathologic assessment by OSNA may help to achieve interinstitutional reproducibility among nomograms.     

Sentinel lymph node biopsy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy predicts pathological axillary lymph node status in breast cancer patients with clinically positive axillary lymph nodes at presentation

Background

It is still controversial whether axillary lymph node (ALN) dissection (ALND) can be omitted after negative sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy (SLNB) in breast cancer (BC) patients with clinically positive ALNs at presentation treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). The study aim was to analyze whether SLNB could be useful in these patients.

Methods

In a retrospective study, eligible patients were women with invasive BC with clinically positive ALNs at presentation, treated with NAC then a total or partial mastectomy, with an intraoperative histological examination of SLNs and non-SLNs suspicious for metastasis followed by ALND. Non-SLNs suspicious for metastasis were defined as hard or large nodes located in the same level of the axilla where clinically positive ALNs had been initially identified. The results of SLNB and clinicopathological characteristics were analyzed for correlation with pathological ALN status.

Results

In a consecutive series of 105 women with 107 BC cases, 81 (75.7 %) had at least 1 SLN, and the remaining 26 (24.3 %) had at least 1 non-SLN suspicious for metastasis. The intraoperative (or final) histological examination of these nodes revealed that the false-negative (FN) rate and accuracy were 8.2 (or 6.3) % and 95.1 (or 96.3) %, respectively. Estrogen receptor status at presentation, pathological tumor response, lymphovascular invasion after NAC, and NAC regimen were correlated with pathological ALN status.

Conclusion

The histological examination of SLNs and that of non-SLNs suspicious for metastasis are useful for predicting pathological ALN status in BC patients with clinically positive ALNs at presentation who are treated with NAC.     

美蓝在乳腺癌前哨淋巴结活检中的临床价值

目的探讨美蓝在乳腺癌前哨淋巴结活检中的临床价值。方法将1%美蓝2ml注入活检腔外上方的皮下及乳腺组织内,然后行Auchincloss仿根治术,依淋巴管走向找到蓝染淋巴结定为SLN,若此时未找到待腋窝清扫结束后,再在标本中寻找,蓝染者为SLN,余为非SLN,分别送病理检查。结果前哨淋巴结检出率为87.9%(95/108),SLN预测腋窝状况的准确率为95.7%(91/95),假阴性率为6.5%(4/62),无假阳性者。未检出者13例,其中4例为假阴性,均属跳跃式转移。前哨淋巴结转移阳性率(34.6%,33/95)和阴性率(65.3%,62/95),与全腋淋巴结转移阳性率(39.8%,43/108)和阴性率(60.2%,65/108)比较,均无显著性差异(P>0.05)。结论美蓝前哨淋巴结活检可以准确预测乳腺癌患者的腋淋巴结状态。     

Sentinel node biopsy in primary breast cancer: radioactive detection and metastatic disease.

AIM: To examine the relationship between the intensity of the radioactive counts and the presence of tumor metastasis in sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) in order to correctly identify the number of SLNs to be removed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Five hundred three breast cancer patients with successful radioisotope localization of SLNs using the combined blue dye and radioisotope method were analyzed. SLN biopsy was continued until all the blue-stained and radioactive nodes were removed. RESULTS: The mean number of harvested SLNs was 1.7+/-0.9, and the number of radioactive SLNs among the harvested nodes was 1.6+/-0.8. SLN metastasis was found in 123 of the 503 cases. The metastasis was detected in the SLN with the highest radioactive count (the hottest SLN) in 94 of the 123 cases with positive SLNs. The positive rate in the hottest SLN was 89% in 61 cases with a single radioactive SLN, and 65% in 62 cases with multiple radioactive SLNs. Of the 29 cases with positivity in other than the hottest SLNs, the metastasis was detected in the second hottest SLN in 16 cases, in the third hottest SLN in one case, in a mixture of negative radioactive SLNs and blue-dye-stained in four cases, and in the negative SLNs and positive non-SLNs (false-negative) in eight cases. Of 123 node-positive cases, 111 cases had metastasis that was detected within the first three hottest SLNs. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that lymph node metastasis may not always be detected in the hottest SLN. Thus, in practice, all radioactive and/or blue-dye-stained nodes should be removed for further examination.     

Stage migration in breast cancer: surgical decisions concerning isolated tumour cells and micro-metastases in the sentinel lymph node.

AIMS: Sentinel lymph node biopsy has replaced the axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) in primary surgery for breast cancer in many hospitals and is expected to become the standard of care in due time. Since the sentinel lymph node is subjected to more extensive pathologic examination than the lymph nodes in the axillary dissection specimen, more patients are found to be node positive (N+); however many of them contain micro-metastases (相似文献   

乳腺癌患者非前哨淋巴结转移的预测因素

目的：探讨乳腺癌患者非前哨淋巴结转移的预测因素。方法：用同位素法示踪前哨淋巴结（sentinel lymph node，SLN），除常规HE染色外，对前哨淋巴结还进行间隔连续切片和免疫组化染色d回顾性分析了1999年5月-2008年7月间前哨淋巴结活检中存在转移的108例患者，以研究非前哨淋巴结转移与各种临床病理因素的关系。结果：SLN活检的成功率为96％，灵敏度为92％，特异度为100％，假阴性率为8％，假阳性率为0，准确率为96．6％。当原发肿瘤〉2cm或者脉管受侵时或者前哨淋巴结转移灶最大径〉2mm，非SLN的转移率分别为66．7％（54／81），84．1％（37／44）和87.3％（55／63）。如果原发肿瘤〉2cm且脉管受侵，或者原发肿瘤〉2cm且前哨淋巴结转移灶最大径〉2mm，或者咏管受侵且前哨淋巴结转移灶最大径〉2mm，非SLN的转移率分剐为85．7％（18／21），93．8％（15／16）和94．7％（18／19）。如果原发肿瘤〉2cm，脉管受侵且前哨淋巴结转移灶最大径〉2mm，则全部14例非SLN都有转移。结论：非前哨淋巴结是否转移与原发肿瘤大小、前哨淋巴结转移灶最大径和脉管是否受侵有关，患者具有的不良因素越多，则非前哨淋巴结发生转移的可能性越大。     

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.     

Sentinel lymph node biopsy in male breast cancer patients.

The concept of sentinel node biopsy has been validated for female breast cancer patients whereas, ALND remains the standard of care for male breast cancer patients with similar tumours. We evaluated the results of SLN biopsy in male breast cancer patients with clinically negative axillae. This study included all male breast cancer patients who underwent SLN biopsy between February 1998 and October 2003. All patients had negative axillae on clinical examination. All patients underwent pre-operative lymphoscintigraphy. SLN biopsy was performed using a combination of Patent blue V and 99mTc-radiolabelled colloidal albumin injected peritumourally. Nine patients, 26-79 years of age, were included in the study. Pre-operative lymphoscinitgraphy identified SLNs in all patients. Intraoperatively, SLNs were successfully localised in all patients. The mean number of SLNs encountered was 2.4. Five patients had a positive SLN, four a negative SLN. Five patients (one with a negative SLN, four with a positive SLN) had been elected pre-operatively to undergo ALND regardless of findings on SLN biopsy. ALND confirmed the SLN to be negative in one patient (false-negative rate: 0%) and three of the four patients with positive SLN(s) had additional positive nodes in the axilla. SLN biopsy accurately predicted axillary lymph node status in these five patients. These findings compare favourably with findings reported in the literature regarding SLN biopsy in female breast cancer patients. SLN biopsy accurately staged the axilla in male breast cancer patients and should be considered for axillary staging in male breast cancer patients with clinically negative axillae.     

Predictors of non-sentinel lymph node metastasis in breast cancer patients

In many patients, the sentinel lymph node (SLN) is the sole site of regional nodal metastasis. This subgroup of patients would not be expected to benefit from completion axillary lymph node dissection (CALND). This study evaluated the factors that may determine the likelihood of additional positive nodes in the axilla in the presence of sentinel node metastasis. A total of 618 breast cancer patients underwent SLN biopsy based on lymphoscintigraphy, intraoperative gamma probe detection, and blue dye mapping using 99mTc-nanocolloid and Patent Blue V injected peritumourally. This was followed by standard axillary node clearance at the same operation. Of the 201 patients with a positive SLN, 105 (52%) patients had no further positive nodes in the axilla, 96 (48%) patients had additional metastasis in non-sentinel lymph nodes (NSLN) upon CALND. In patients with a positive SLN, increasing tumour size and tumour grade significantly increased the frequency of additional positive nodes on univariate analysis. The number of SLNs removed and the number of negative SLNs were significant negative predictors. Increasing tumour burden in the sentinel nodes (determined by the number of positive SLNs) was significantly associated with increasing likelihood of positive NSLNs. Multivariate analysis revealed that the rest of the axilla is more likely to be positive if there are more positive than negative SLNs removed and more likely to be negative otherwise. A group of cases from one centre (Cardiff) were subjected to further detailed analysis. Tumour burden in the positive SLN was assessed by measuring the size of metastasis, percentage replacement of the SLN by tumour and by documenting extracapsular extension (ECE) around the SLN. Of the 64 patients with a positive SLN, 34 (53%) patients had no further positive nodes in the axilla, 30 patients (47%) had additional metastasis in NSLNs upon CALND. Increasing tumour burden in the SLN was associated with additional positive nodes in the axilla. Multivariate analysis revealed that size of the SLN metastasis is the most important predictor of involvement of only the SLN. Overall, in patients with a positive SLN, the difference in the number of positive and negative SLNs removed and size of the metastasis in the SLN, all predicted the frequency of additional positive nodes.     

Factors predicting additional disease in the axilla in patients with positive sentinel lymph nodes after neoadjuvant chemotherapy

BACKGROUND: The utility of sentinel lymph node (SNL) biopsy (SLNB) as a predictor of axillary lymph node status is similar in patients who receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy and patients who undergo surgery first. The authors of this study hypothesized that patients with positive SLNs after neoadjuvant therapy would have unique clinicopathologic factors that would be predictive of additional positive non-SLNs distinct from patients who underwent surgery first. METHODS: One hundred four patients were identified who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy, had a positive SLN, and underwent axillary dissection between 1997 and 2005. At the time of presentation, 66 patients had clinically negative lymph nodes by ultrasonography, and 38 patients had positive lymph nodes confirmed by fine-needle aspiration. Eighteen factors were assessed for their ability to predict positive non-SLNs using chi-square and logistic regression analysis with a bootstrapped, backwards elimination procedure. The resulting nomogram was tested by using a patient cohort from another institution. RESULTS: Patients with clinically negative lymph nodes at presentation were less likely than patients with positive lymph nodes to have positive non-SLNs (47% vs 71%; P=.017). On multivariate analysis, lymphovascular invasion, the method for detecting SLN metastasis, multicentricity, positive axillary lymph nodes at presentation, and pathologic tumor size retained grouped significance with a bootstrap-adjusted area under the curve (AUC) of 0.762. The resulting nomogram was validated in the external patient cohort (AUC, 0.78). CONCLUSIONS: A significant proportion of patients with positive SLNs after neoadjuvant chemotherapy had no positive non-SLNs. The use of a nomogram based on 5 predictive variables that were identified in this study may be useful for predicting the risk of positive non-SLNs in patients who have positive SLNs after chemotherapy.     

专利蓝示踪胃癌前哨淋巴结及其微转移检测

目的探讨专利蓝示踪法检测胃癌前哨淋巴结(sentinel lymph node,SLN)的可行性和临床意义。方法34例胃癌术中病灶周围浆膜或黏膜下注入专利蓝溶液,将首先染色的淋巴结视为SLN,并进行常规病理检查和淋巴结微转移(lymphnode micro metastasis,LNMM)检测。结果胃癌SLN检测成功率为94.1%(32/34),SLN检出个数平均为1.8个/例,SLN转移率明显高于非SLN(55.1%vs14.1%),由SLN诊断胃癌区域淋巴结转移情况的准确性为93.7%(30/32),假阴性率为8.3%(2/24),2例胃癌病例因SLN的LNMM检测阳性而使病理分期上调。结论专利蓝示踪检测胃癌SLN可准确预测胃癌区域淋巴结的转移情况,并使部分胃癌淋巴结的病理分期上调。