Pathological status of internal mammary node in patients with breast cancer: 229 cases

Abstract

Objective To determine the clinical implications of internal mammary node biopsy for neoplasm stage,treatment,and prognosis in patients with breast cancer.Methods Internal mammary node biopsy via intercostal space was performed in 229 cases of breast cancer.Anatomical location of internal mammary nodes was recorded.Results Internal mammary node biopsy was successfully finished in 220 patients.There were 56 cases (24.45％ ) with internal mammary nodes metastasis,126 cases (55.02％ ) with axillary nodes metastasis,43 cases (34.13％ ) with regional metastases in both the axillary and internal mammary lymph nodes and 13 cases ( 12.62％ ) with internal mammary node metastasis only.Internal mammary node metastasis rate in patients with the number of positive axillary nodes ≥4 was 49.32％ (36/73).pN stage migration was seen in 56 patients with positive internal mammary nodes.There was no statistic relation between internal mammary nodes metastases and tumor location ( x2 =0.661,P =0.719).70.7％ patients with medial/central tumors and 50.7％ patients with the number of positive axillary nodes ≥4 were free from internal mammary node radiotherapy on account of internal mammary node biopsy.There was no complication such as pneumothorax or haemorrhagia.Conclusions Internal mammary node biopsy from intercostal space is a reliable surgical technique and can improve pN stage in some breast cancer patients.With internal mammary node biopsy,patients with a negative internal mammary node can be prevented from radiation to internal mammary nodal areas. Key words: Breast neoplasms; Internal mammary node; Biopsy; Metastasis; Neoplasm staging