胃癌前哨淋巴结检测的临床研究

目的:探讨胃癌术中前哨淋巴结(sentinel lymph node,SLN)定位检测的可行性及其临床意义。方法:使用亚甲蓝对40例胃癌患者行前哨淋巴结术中标识活检,随后行D2或D2以上手术。结果:40例胃癌患者中,38例找到前哨淋巴结,检出率为38/40(95%),有32例存在SLN转移,8例SLN为唯一转移部位,且均为T1、T2期。由SLN的病理学状态来预测胃周围淋巴结转移情况的敏感性为32/34(94.12%),特异性为4/4(100%),假阴性率为2/34(5.88%),准确率为34/38(89.47%),其中假阴性的2例,肿瘤都处于T4期。结论:胃癌SLN定位及活检技术能较准确反映早期胃癌的淋巴结转移状况,但对进展期胃癌而言假阴性率较高,对胃癌整个区域淋巴结状态预测的可靠性和可行性尚需进一步验证。     

胃癌前哨淋巴结检测的临床研究

目的：探讨胃癌术中前哨淋巴结（sentinel lymph node,SLN）定位检测的可行性及其临床意义。方法：44t用亚甲蓝对40例胃癌患者行前哨淋巴结术中标识活检,随后行D2或D2以上手术。结果：40例胃癌患者中,38例找到前哨淋巴结,检出率为38／40（95％）,有32例存在SLN转移,8例SLN为唯一转移部位,且均为T1、T2期。由SLN的病理学状态来预测胃周围淋巴结转移情况的敏感性为32／34（94．12％）,特异性为4／4（100％）,假阴性率为2／34（5．88％）,准确率为34／38（89．47％）,其中假阴性的2例,肿瘤都处于T4期。结论：胃癌SLN定位及活检技术能较准确反映早期胃癌的淋巴结转移状况,但对进展期胃癌而言假阴性率较高,对胃癌整个区域淋巴结状态预测的可靠性和可行性尚需进一步验证。     

The Utility of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma with Occult Lymph Nodes

Background

The sentinel lymph node (SLN) is defined as the first draining node from the primary lesion, and it has proven to be a good indicator of the metastatic status of regional lymph nodes in solid tumors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical application of SLN biopsy (SLNB) in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) with occult lymph nodes.

Methods

From April 2006 to October 2012, 212 consecutive PTC patients were treated with SLNB using carbon nanoparticle suspension (CNS). Then, the stained nodes defined as SLN were collected, and prophylactic central compartment neck dissection (CCND) followed by total thyroidectomy or subtotal thyroidectomy were performed. All the samples were sent for pathological examination.

Results

There were 78 (36.8%) SLN metastasis (SLNM)-positive cases and 134 (63.2%) SLNM-negative cases. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and false-positive and false-negative rates of SLNB were 78.8%, 100%, 100%, 84.3%, 0%, and 21.2%, respectively. The PTC patients with SLNM were more likely to be male (48.2% vs. 32.7%, p = 0.039) and exhibited multifocality (52.6% vs. 33.3%, p = 0.025) and extrathyroidal extension (56.7% vs. 33.5%, p = 0.015). A greater incidence of non-SLN metastases in the central compartment was found in patients with SLNM (41/78, 52.6%) than in those without SLNM (21/134, 15.7%; p < 0.05). However, the SLNM-negative PTC patients with non-SLN metastases were more likely to be male (37.9% vs. 9.5%, p < 0.05).

Conclusions

The application of SLNB using CNS is technically feasible, safe, and useful, especially for male patients with co-existing multifocality and extrathyroidal extension. However, the sensitivity of SLNB must be improved and its false-negative rate reduced before it can be a routine procedure and replace prophylactic CCND. More attention should be paid to PTC patients (especially males) without SLNM for signs of non-SLN metastases.     

初诊腋窝淋巴结阳性乳腺癌新辅助化疗后对腋窝淋巴结转阴性前哨活检的影响分析

摘要 目的：探究对初诊腋窝淋巴结阳性乳腺癌行新辅助化疗患者开展腋窝前哨淋巴结活检的临床意义。方法：选择2017年1月至2020年10月于我院接受改良根治术或保乳术治疗的100例初诊腋窝淋巴结阳性乳腺癌患者,将其中50例病理检测II B、III期行4~8个疗程新辅助化疗后实施前哨淋巴结活检患者设为研究组,将50例I、II A期直接行前哨淋巴结活检患者设为对照组,对比两组患者前哨淋巴结检出率、准确率、假阴性率和灵敏度,同时就患者病理特征与前哨淋巴结检出率的相关性开展分析。结果：（1）比较显示研究组患者与对照组患者在前哨淋巴结检出数、前哨淋巴结检出率以及前哨淋巴结假阴性率方面组间差异不大（P>0.05）;（2）病理学特征分析显示肿瘤直径以及临床N分期同新辅助化疗后患者前哨淋巴结检出阳性率密切相关（P<0.05）。结论：对初诊腋窝淋巴结阳性行新辅助化疗乳腺癌患者实施前哨淋巴结活检具有较显示的临床意义,能够较好的预测患者腋窝淋巴结状况,同时化疗前肿瘤直径、临床N分期是影响前哨淋巴结检出率的重要影响因素。     

Non-Sentinel Lymph Node Metastasis Prediction in Breast Cancer with Metastatic Sentinel Lymph Node: Impact of Molecular Subtypes Classification

Introduction

To decipher the interaction between the molecular subtype classification and the probability of a non-sentinel node metastasis in breast cancer patients with a metastatic sentinel lymph-node, we applied two validated predictors (Tenon Score and MSKCC Nomogram) on two large independent datasets.

Materials and Methods

Our datasets consisted of 656 and 574 early-stage breast cancer patients with a metastatic sentinel lymph-node biopsy treated at first by surgery. We applied both predictors on the whole dataset and on each molecular immune-phenotype subgroups. The performances of the two predictors were analyzed in terms of discrimination and calibration. Probability of non-sentinel lymph node metastasis was detailed for each molecular subtype.

Results

Similar results were obtained with both predictors. We showed that the performance in terms of discrimination was as expected in ER Positive HER2 negative subgroup in both datasets (MSKCC AUC Dataset 1 = 0.73 [0.69–0.78], MSKCC AUC Dataset 2 = 0.71 (0.65–0.76), Tenon Score AUC Dataset 1 = 0.7 (0.65–0.75), Tenon Score AUC Dataset 2 = 0.72 (0.66–0.76)). Probability of non-sentinel node metastatic involvement was slightly under-estimated. Contradictory results were obtained in other subgroups (ER negative HER2 negative, HER2 positive subgroups) in both datasets probably due to a small sample size issue. We showed that merging the two datasets shifted the performance close to the ER positive HER2 negative subgroup.

Discussion

We showed that validated predictors like the Tenon Score or the MSKCC nomogram built on heterogeneous population of breast cancer performed equally on the different subgroups analyzed. Our present study re-enforce the idea that performing subgroup analysis of such predictors within less than 200 samples subgroup is at major risk of misleading conclusions.     

乳腺导管原位癌行前哨淋巴结活检指征的探讨

目的:分析乳腺导管原位癌的前哨淋巴结临床及病理特征,探讨乳腺导管原位癌患者实施前哨淋巴结活检的指征。方法:回顾性分析2002年10月到2010年11月期间诊断为乳腺导管原位癌并行前哨淋巴结活检的46例患者的的前哨淋巴结状态及其与其他临床及病理特征的关系。结果:患者的年龄、肿瘤大小、检出SLN数、肿瘤分级、切缘状态、DCIS类型、是否伴随坏死均无显著统计学意义(P0.05)。可能与乳腺导管原位癌患者前哨淋巴结阳性的几个因素为:年龄41岁-69岁、肿瘤大小1.1 cm-5.0cm、切缘状态未知、肿瘤坏死伴随或未知、肿瘤分级Ⅰ级以上或未知。结论:以下几个因素可能对预测DCIS患者可能出现SLN阳性提供帮助,临床在遇到出现这些因素的DCIS患者需慎重考虑其治疗策略,这些因素包括:年龄41岁-69岁、肿瘤大小1.1cm-5.0 cm、切缘状态未知、肿瘤坏死伴随或未知、肿瘤分级Ⅰ级以上或未知。     

三阴乳腺癌保乳术联合前哨淋巴结活检的临床疗效分析

目的：探讨三阴乳腺癌保乳术联合前哨淋巴结活检对三阴乳腺癌的临床疗效的影响。方法：选取我院外科收治的三阴乳腺 癌患者92 例,随机数字表达法分为两组,其中对照组46 例,予全乳切除及腋窝淋巴结清扫术;实验组46 例,予保乳术联合前哨 淋巴结活检术。统计术中手术时间、术中出血量、术后生活质量、术后乳房美容效果及术后复发和转移率。结果：①实验组术中手 术时间和术中出血量明显低于对照组,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;②术后复发率和转移率实验组和对照相比,差异无统计学意 义（P＞ 0.05）;③实验组术后生活质量中的社会功能、角色功能及身体健康状况明显高于对照组,差异有统计学意义（P＜ 0.05）;而 躯体功能和情绪功能两组相比,差异无统计学意义（P＞ 0.05）。结论：三阴乳腺癌保乳术联合前哨淋巴结活检能够明显缩短手术时 间,减少术中出血量,明显改善生活质量,提高乳房美容效果,且对局部复发和远处转移无影响,值得临床推广应用。     

Feasibility and Accuracy of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Clinically Node-Positive Breast Cancer after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy: A Meta-Analysis

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has replaced conventional axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) in axillary node-negative breast cancer patients. However, the use of SLNB remains controversial in patients after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). The aim of this review is to evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of SLNB after NAC in clinically node-positive patients. Systematic searches were performed in the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases from 1993 to December 2013 for studies on node-positive breast cancer patients who underwent SLNB after NAC followed by ALND. Of 436 identified studies, 15 were included in this review, with a total of 2,471 patients. The pooled identification rate (IR) of SLNB was 89% [95% confidence interval (CI) 85–93%], and the false negative rate (FNR) of SLNB was 14% (95% CI 10–17%). The heterogeneity of FNR was analyzed by meta-regression, and the results revealed that immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining may represent an independent factor (P = 0.04). FNR was lower in the IHC combined with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining subgroup than in the H&E staining alone subgroup, with values of 8.7% versus 16.0%, respectively (P = 0.001). Thus, SLNB was feasible after NAC in node-positive breast cancer patients. In addition, the IR of SLNB was respectable, although the FNR of SLNB was poor and requires further improvement. These findings indicate that IHC may improve the accuracy of SLNB.     

早期子宫颈恶性肿瘤腹腔镜手术中两种示踪剂前哨淋巴结活检结果的对比分析

目的:通过在早期子宫颈恶性肿瘤患者中应用吲哚箐绿(ICG)及纳米炭混悬液为示踪剂行腹腔镜下前哨淋巴结(sentinel lymph node,SLN)切除术,对比两种示踪剂的示踪效果,寻找临床更适宜普遍使用的示踪剂。方法:选取仁济医院妇瘤科2016.8～2019.10期间诊断明确的122例早期子宫颈恶性肿瘤患者为研究对象。随机采用ICG或纳米炭为前哨示踪剂。对两种示踪剂的显影情况和SLN的示踪效果进行分析。结果:在122例子宫颈恶性肿瘤病例中,宫颈注射ICG64例,检出SLN385枚,平均每个患者检出6.02枚SLN,检出率100%(64/64),特异度96.77%,敏感度75%。宫颈注射纳米炭混悬液58例,检出SLN265枚,平均每个患者检出4.57枚SLN,检出率96.9%(56/58),特异度96.36%,敏感度66.67%。两种示踪剂都有较好的示踪效果(P=0.9356)。结论:早期子宫颈恶性肿瘤行宫颈注射ICG或纳米炭混悬液,腹腔镜下显影的SLN均具有较高的检出率与准确率,是一种较为可行的方法,可普遍开展,值得推广。     

吲哚菁绿联合亚甲蓝在乳腺癌前哨淋巴结活检中的临床应用

目的:探讨吲哚菁绿(indocyanine green,ICG)联合亚甲蓝在乳腺癌前哨淋巴结活检(sentinel lymph node biopsy,SLNB)中的临床应用价值。方法:共入组39例乳腺癌患者,在光学分子影像手术导航系统(surgical navigation system,SNS)的引导下,使用ICG联合亚甲蓝实施SLNB。快速冰冻病理证实前哨淋巴结(sentinel lymph node,SLN)转移者,即刻行腋窝淋巴结清扫(axillary lymph node dissection,ALND);SLN阴性者免于ALND。结果:联合法实施SLNB检出率95%,成功检出SLN125个,平均检出3.2个SLN,准确率95.0%,灵敏度100%,假阴性率0%;蓝染法检出率87.2%,成功检出SLN71个,平均检出1.8个SLN,准确率89.7%,灵敏度93.7%,假阴性率为6.3%;统计结果采用x2检验,检验结果具有统计学意义。结论:ICG联合亚甲蓝实施乳腺癌SLNB成功率高,假阴性率低,临床效果不亚于亚甲蓝,是实施SLNB的新方法。     

A Novel Finding of Sentinel Lymphatic Channels in Early Stage Breast Cancer Patients: Which May Influence Detection Rate and False-Negative Rate of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy

Background

The exact lymphatic drainage pattern of the breast hasn''t been explained clearly. The aim of this study was to investigate the sentinel lymphatic channels (SLCs) in the cancerous breast. Whether the type of SLCs influenced the detection rate and false-negative rate of SLNB was also assessed.

Methodology and Principal Findings

Mimic SLNB was performed in 110 early-stage breast cancer patients with subareolar injection of blue methylene dye intraoperatively. Postoperatively, 110 specimens of modified radical mastectomy were examined for all blue SLCs after additional injection of methylene dye in peritumoral parenchyma. Interestingly, three types of SLCs, including superficial sentinel lymphatic channel (SSLC), deep sentinel lymphatic channel (DSLC), and penetrating sentinel lymphatic channel (PSLC) were found in 107 patients. Six lymphatic drainage patterns based on the three types of SLCs were observed in these 107 patients. The proportions of the drainage pattern SSLC, DSLC, PSLC, SSLC+DSLC, SSLC+PSLC, and DSLC+PSLC in the breast were 43%, 0.9%, 15.9%, 33.6%, 3.7% and 2.8%, respectively. The lymphatic drainage pattern in the breast was a significant risk factor for unsuccessful identification of sentinel lymph nodes (P <0.001) and false-negatives in SLNB (P = 0.034) with the subareolar injection technique.

Conclusions

Three kinds of SLCs are the basis of six lymphatic drainage patterns from the breast to the axilla. The type of SLCs is the factor influencing the detection rate and false-negative rate of SLNB. These findings suggest the optimal injection technique of the combination of superficial and deep injection in SLNB procedures. Future clinical studies are needed to confirm our novel findings.     

前哨淋巴结活检术对老年乳腺癌患者肿瘤标志物水平和生活质量的影响

目的:探讨前哨淋巴结活检术对老年乳腺癌患者肿瘤标志物水平和生活质量的影响。方法:选取2015年8月至2017年12月大连大学附属中山医院收治的80例拟行乳腺癌手术治疗的老年患者,依据手术方法分为观察组与对照组,对照组患者给予乳腺癌改良根治术治疗,观察组患者给予前哨淋巴结活检手术联合保乳术治疗,每组各40例。比较两组患者治疗前后血清癌胚抗原(CEA)、糖类抗原-153 (CA153)、糖类抗原-125(CA125)水平和生活质量评分的变化,术中情况,治疗后美学满意度及不良反应的发生情况。结果:两组患者治疗后血清CEA、CA153与CA125水平较治疗前均明显降低(均P0.05);且观察组患者以上指标均显著低于对照组(均P0.05)。观察组术中平均出血量、手术时间、总引流量及引流管拔除时间均明显短于对照组(均P0.05),生理状况、社会家庭状况、情感状况、功能状况、附加关注及生活质量总分、美学满意度均明显高于对照组(均P0.05),不良反应发生率低于对照组(均P0.05)。结论:前哨淋巴结活检辅助乳腺癌手术可提高美学满意度及生活质量,安全性更高,更有利于患者术后恢复。     

前哨淋巴结活检术联合保乳治疗对早期乳腺癌患者临床疗效、术后并发症及肩关节功能的影响

目的:探讨前哨淋巴结活检术联合保乳治疗对早期乳腺癌患者临床疗效、术后并发症及肩关节功能的影响。方法:选取2014年10月至2017年2月就诊于我院的乳腺癌患者,按照患者手术方式分为联合组与对照组,其中联合组行前哨淋巴结活检手术联合保乳治疗,对照组行传统腋窝淋巴结清扫术治疗,每组各选取50例,随访时间为6个月。比较两组手术情况、并发症、乳腺美容效果及肩关节功能情况。结果:联合组手术时间、总出血量、引流管拔除时间、总引流量均明显低于对照组(P0.05)。手术治疗后,联合组并发症比例为6%,明显低于对照组38%。术后,两组患者随访6个月,联合组乳腺美容效果明显高于对照组(P0.05)。术前,两组肩关节功能各指标水平比较差异不显著(P0.05);术后,两组肩关节屈曲活动度、外旋活动度、后伸活动度、外展活动度相较于术前均明显降低(P0.05),联合组内旋活动度相较于术前降低不显著(P0.05),而对照组内旋活动度相较于术前降低显著(P0.05)。术后,联合组肩关节屈曲活动度、外旋活动度、内旋活动度、后伸活动度、外展活动度均显著高于对照组(P0.05)。结论:前哨淋巴结活检术联合保乳治疗早期乳腺癌创伤小,美容效果明显,可显著降低术后并发症发生率并减轻对患者肩关节功能的损害,远期疗效仍有待于进一步随访观察。     

Preoperative Prediction of Cervical Lymph Node Metastasis Using Primary Tumor SUVmax on 18F-FDG PET/CT in Patients with Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

Objectives

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the value of preoperative ¹⁸F-FDG (FDG) PET/CT in predicting cervical lymph node (LN) metastasis in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).

Methods

One hundred and ninety-three newly diagnosed PTC patients (M: F = 25:168, age = 46.8 ± 12.2) who had undergone pretreatment FDG PET/CT and had neck node dissection were included in this study. The FDG avidity of the primary tumor and the SUVmax of the primary tumor (pSUVmax) were analyzed for prediction of LN metastasis. Detectability by ultrasonography (US) and FDG PET/CT for cervical LN metastasis were also assessed and compared with the pSUVmax.

Results

The FDG avidity of the primary tumor was identified in 118 patients (FDG avid group: 61.0%, M: F = 16:102, age 47.0 ± 12.7 years) and pSUVmax ranged from 1.3 to 35.6 (median 4.6) in the FDG avid group. The tumor size in the FDG avid group was bigger and there was a higher incidence of LN metastasis compared to the FDG non-avid group (0.93 vs. 0.59 cm, p <0.001 and 49.2 vs. 33.3%, p <0.05). In the FDG avid group, patients with LN metastasis had higher pSUVmax than patients without LN metastasis (8.7 ± 8.3 vs. 5.7 ± 5.1, p <0.001). The incidence of central LN metastasis in patients with a pSUVmax >4.6 was 54%; however, the detectability of central LN metastasis by US and FDG PET/CT were 10.3% and 3.6%, respectively.

Conclusion

A high FDG avidity of the primary tumor was related to LN metastasis in PTC patients. Therefore, patients with a high pSUVmax should be cautiously assessed for LN metastasis and might need a more comprehensive surgical approach.     

Lymph Node Metastases and Prognosis in Left Upper Division Non-Small Cell Lung Cancers: The Impact of Interlobar Lymph Node Metastasis

Background

Left upper division segmentectomy is one of the major pulmonary procedures; however, it is sometimes difficult to completely dissect interlobar lymph nodes. We attempted to clarify the prognostic importance of hilar and mediastinal nodes, especially of interlobar lymph nodes, in patients with primary non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) located in the left upper division.

Methods

We retrospectively studied patients with primary left upper lobe NSCLC undergoing surgical pulmonary resection (at least lobectomy) with radical lymphadenectomy. The representative evaluation of therapeutic value from the lymph node dissection was determined using Sasako’s method. This analysis was calculated by multiplying the frequency of metastasis to the station and the 5-year survival rate of the patients with metastasis to the station.

Results

We enrolled 417 patients (237 men, 180 women). Tumors were located in the lingular lobe and at the upper division of left upper lobe in 69 and 348 patients, respectively. The pathological nodal statuses were pN0 in 263 patients, pN1 in 70 patients, and pN2 in 84 patients. Lymph nodes #11 and #7 were significantly correlated with differences in node involvement in patients with left upper lobe NSCLC. Among those with left upper division NSCLC, the 5-year overall survival in pN1 was 31.5% for #10, 39.3% for #11, and 50.4% for #12U. The involvement of node #11 was 1.89-fold higher in the anterior segment than that in the apicoposterior segment. The therapeutic index of estimated benefit from lymph node dissection for #11 was 3.38, #4L was 1.93, and the aortopulmonary window was 4.86 in primary left upper division NSCLC.

Conclusions

Interlobar node involvement is not rare in left upper division NSCLC, occurring in >20% cases. Furthermore, dissection of interlobar nodes was found to be beneficial in patients with left upper division NSCLC.     

Overall Survival of Stage III Colon Cancer with Only One Lymph Node Metastasis Is Independently Predicted by Preoperative Carcinoembryonic Antigen Level and Lymph Node Sampling Status

Background

This study identified predictors of favorable overall survival (OS) for stage III colon cancer patients who had only one lymph node (LN) metastasis (N1a).

Methods

Variables, including preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level, LN sampling status, and the choices of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy, were recorded. Prognostic significance was determined using the log-rank test and multivariate Cox regression analysis.

Results

The median 42-month follow-up period included 363 eligible patients. Among them, 230 (63.3%) received only 5-flurouracil (5-FU) adjuvant chemotherapy; 76 (20.9%) underwent oxaliplatin-based regimens; and 57 (15.7%) chose surgery alone. The 5-year survival rate of these evaluated patients was 75%, 63%, and 77%, respectively (P = 0.823). Multivariate analysis revealed that normal preoperative CEA level (≦5 ng/mL) and adequate LN sampling (LN ≧ 12) were significant predictors for higher 5-year OS (P < 0.001; P = 0.007, respectively). However, the use of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy in these N1a colon cancer patients did not significantly affect their 5-year OS.

Conclusions

A preoperative CEA level of less than or equal to 5 ng/mL, and curative surgery with an adequate lymphadenectomy determined a favorable OS outcome in stage III colon cancer with only one LN metastasis.     

兔VX2肿瘤淋巴转移动物模型建立和病理学观察

目的建立适用的VX2淋巴癌转移模型.方法 24只新西兰白兔随机分成模型组和对照组,模型组14只,对照组10只.模型组在兔右股二头肌肌腹中部注射VX2细胞悬液0.5 mL,对照组在相同位置注射0.5 mL生理氯化钠溶液,观察淋巴结的变化,第28天处死动物,病理学观察肿瘤大小、形态及组织学改变.结果模型组14只动物全部成瘤,成瘤率100%.腘窝淋巴结明显肿大, 病理检查显示其淋巴结可见大量癌细胞,淋巴结的正常结构完全被破坏,甚至消失,转移率100%.结论肌肉注射VX2组织悬液能建立腘窝淋巴结癌转移动物模型,方法简便易行,转移率高.该模型动物体形较大,淋巴结浅而大,对实验性癌淋巴转移的研究具有实用意义.     

Efficiency of a Preoperative Axillary Ultrasound and Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology to Detect Patients with Extensive Axillary Lymph Node Involvement

Background

Recent studies have demonstrated that axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) does not affect patient survival, even in those with one or two positive sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs). On the other hand, patients with 3 or more metastatic lymph nodes are eligible for chemotherapy. Therefore, it is crucial to identify a priori patients at risk of having a high number of metastatic axillary lymph nodes for their surgical and/or clinical management. Ultrasound (US) guided Fine-Needle Aspiration (FNA) has been proven to be a useful and highly specific method for detecting metastatic axillary lymph nodes. However, only one recent study has evaluated the efficiency of this method in identifying patients with high metastatic nodal involvement. Our aim was to validate US-guided FNA as a reliable method to discriminate a priori patients with >3 metastatic lymph nodes.

Methods

A retrospective series of 1287 breast cancer patients who underwent a simultaneous preoperative breast and axillary US to stage their axilla was collected. A total of 365 patients, with either positive SLNs (278) or positive axillary lymph nodes detected via US-guided FNA (87), underwent ALND. In these two subgroups, we compared the number of metastatic lymph nodes in the axilla.

Results

The number of metastatic axillary lymph nodes in patients who underwent US-guided FNA was significantly higher (63% had >3 metastatic lymph nodes) than that in patients with SLNs positive for micro- or macrometastases (3% and 27%, respectively) (P<0.001, χ ² = 117.897).

Conclusions

Preoperative axillary US-guided FNA could act as a reliable tool in identifying breast cancer patients with extensive nodal involvement.     

Evaluation of Tumor Cell Proliferation by Ki-67 Expression and Mitotic Count in Lymph Node Metastases from Breast Cancer

Few studies have addressed the risk of recurrence by assessing proliferation markers in lymph node metastasis from breast cancer. Here, we aimed to examine Ki-67 expression and mitotic count in lymph nodes in comparison with primary tumors. A cohort of node positive breast cancer (n = 168) was studied as a part of the prospective Norwegian Breast Cancer Screening Program (1996–2009). The percentage of Ki-67 positivity was counted per 500 tumor cells in hot-spot areas (x630). Mitotic count was conducted in the most cellular and mitotic active areas in 10 high power fields (x400). Our results showed that Ki-67 and mitotic count were significantly correlated between primary tumor and lymph nodes (Spearman`s correlation 0. 56 and 0.46, respectively) and were associated with most of the histologic features of the primary tumor. Univariate survival analysis (log-rank test) showed that high Ki-67 and mitotic count in the primary tumor and lymph node metastasis significantly predicted risk of recurrence. In multivariate analysis, mitotic count in the lymph node metastasis was an independent predictor of tumor recurrence. In conclusion, proliferation markers in lymph node metastases significantly predicted disease free survival in node positive breast cancer.     

Role of Prophylactic Central Compartment Lymph Node Dissection on the Outcome Of Patients With Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma and Synchronous Ipsilateral Cervical Lymph Node Metastases

Objective: Prophylactic central compartment lymph node dissection (pCCND) results in a higher percentage of surgical-related complications. To date, no evidence of the impact of pCCND on the clinical outcome of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients with synchronous ipsilateral cervical lymph node metastases has been reported.Methods: We evaluated all consecutive patients affected by PTC and synchronous ipsilateral cervical, but without evidence of central compartment, lymph node metastases. We selected 54 consecutive patients (group A) treated by total thyroidectomy, ipsilateral cervical lymph node dissection, and pCCND and 115 patients (group B) matched for sex, age at diagnosis, number and dimension of the metastatic lateral cervical lymph nodes, without pCCND. Clinical outcome after a median of 5 years and surgical-related complications were assessed.Results: The two groups were completely similar in terms of clinical features. Clinical outcomes showed a higher percentage of biochemical and indeterminate but not structural response in group B. Group B required significantly more radioiodine treatments, but no difference was shown in the need to repeat surgery for recurrences. Conversely, the prevalence of permanent hypoparathyroidism was significantly higher in group A (14.8%) than in group B (4.3%).Conclusion: In PTC patients with synchronous ipsilateral cervical lymph node metastases, in absence of clinically evident lymph node metastases of the central compartment, performing pCCND does not improve the 5-year outcome in terms of structural disease, despite a greater number of ¹³¹I treatments. However, pCCND is severely affected by a higher percentage of permanent hypoparathyroidism, even in the hands of expert surgeons.Abbreviations: IQR = interquartile range; pCCND = prophylactic central compartment lymph node dissection; PTC = papillary thyroid carcinoma; Tg = thyroglobulin; US = ultrasound