1至3个腋窝淋巴结转移乳腺癌根治术后放疗的应用

腋窝淋巴结转移数目为1～3个的早期乳腺癌患者是否需行术后辅助放疗是目前争议的焦点.多个随机研究结果提示,包括全胸壁及相关淋巴结引流区的术后放疗能改善1～3个腋窝淋巴结转移者的局部控制率和生存率.是否行术后放疗取决于肿瘤大小和分期、淋巴结清扫数和淋巴结阳性率、淋巴结包膜外侵犯和脉管瘤栓等因素.最佳放疗方式和患者选择尚有待进一步前瞻性随机对照临床试验来验证.

Post-mastectomy radiotherapy for breast cancer patients with one to three positive lymph nodes

Nowadays the decision whether to offer early breast cancer patients with 1～3 positive axillary nodes adjuvant radiotherapy is a heated controversy. Results of several randomized trials have shown that post-mastectomy radiotherapy including the whole chest wall and regional lymph node-bearing areas can improve the Iocoregional control and survival rate of patients with 1～3 positive axillary nodes. Tumor size and stage, number of dissected nodes, positive lymph node ratio, extracapsular extension and lymphovascular invasion may determine whether post-mastectomy radiotherapy is needed or not for these patients. The best radiotherapy approach and patients selections should be verified by further prospective randomized control clinical trials.