Sentinel node total tumour load as a predictive factor for non-sentinel node status in early breast cancer patients – The porttle study

Abstract

OSNA is a molecular assay for the detection of sentinel node metastasis. TTL emerged as a concept that seems to accurately predict the status of the NSN. Authors tried to confirm this motion.This is a retrospective and multicentric study that analyzed 2164 patients, 579 of whom had positive SN and completion AD. Logistic regression models were performed in order to identify a suitable cutoff to identify patients who benefit from AD.Univariate and multivariate regression analysis showed a relationship between TTL>30000 and the presence of NSN metastasis (OR 2.84, CI 1.99–4.08, p < 0.001). Logistic regression indicated that the cutoff of 30000 copies/μL better discriminates patients with NSN positivity and allows wide use of these criteria.This cutoff value may safely assist clinicians and patients to decide to proceed or not with an AD.