Axillary Lymph Node Metastasis Research Articles

Sentinel Node Biopsy Positivity: Is Axillary Dissection Always Necessary? – A Retrospective Analysis

Breast cancer remains a significant health concern, with predictions indicating a rise in global incidence. While the primary focus is on oncological radicality, the aesthetic and psychological impacts of surgical interventions, such as radical mastectomy, cannot be ignored. This study, conducted over 8 years, aimed to identify factors that can prevent unnecessary lymphadenectomy. The research analyzed various parameters, including age, BMI, tumor size, and immunohistochemistry, to determine their correlation with axillary lymph node invasion. The results highlighted the importance of tumor size and estrogen receptor status in predicting axillary lymph node metastasis. The study underscores the value of sentinel lymph node biopsy in early breast cancer treatment, emphasizing its benefits over complete axillary lymph node dissection.

Axillary lymph node dissection in triple-negative or HER2-positive breast cancer patients with clinical N2 achieving pathological complete response after neoadjuvant therapy: Is it necessary?

Aim:This study aims to identify suitable candidates for axillary sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) or targeted axillary dissection (TAD) among clinical N2 (cN2) triple-negative (TN) or HER2 positive (HER2+）breast cancer patients following neoadjuvant therapy（NAT）.Background: Despite the substantial axillary burden in cN2 breast cancer patients, high pathological response rates can be achieved with NAT in TN or HER2+ subtypes, thus enabling potential downstaging of axillary surgery.Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on data from the CSBrS-012 study, screening 709 patients with initial cN2, either HER2+ or TN subtype, from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2020. The correlation between axillary pathologic complete response (pCR) (yPN0) and breast pCR was examined.Results: Among the 177 cN2 patients who achieved breast pCR through NAT, 138 (78.0 %) also achieved axillary pCR. However, in the 532 initial clinical N2 patients who did not achieve breast pCR, residual axillary lymph node metastasis persisted in 77.4 % (412/532) of cases. The relative risk of residual axillary lymph node metastasis in patients who did not achieve breast pCR was 12.4 (8.1–19.1), compared to those who did achieve breast pCR, P < 0.001.Conclusion: For cN2 TN or HER2+ breast cancer patients who achieve breast pCR following NAT, consideration could be given to downstaging and performing an axillary SLNB or TAD.

Cytohistological Evaluation of Unusual Male Breast lesions: A Case Series from a Tertiary Care Centre

Introduction: Pathologic lesions of male breast are not as common as its female counterpart.In this study we have reported six cases of unusual pathological lesions of male breast presenting clinically asbreast lump studied by Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) with histologic correlation.Method: 6 male patients were studied who presented to us with breast lump and had FNAC done with subsequenthistopathological correlation.Result: Out of 6 cases, 3 were fibromatosis (desmoid-type), 2 cases of invasive carcinoma involving both breastswith axillary lymph node metastasis and 1 case of complex fibroadenoma were reported. In all of the above casesdefinitive diagnosis was given on FNAC with subsequent histopathological confirmation except for fibromatosisin which the diagnosis was benign breast lesion on FNAC.Conclusion: FNAC being a fast and cheap diagnostic tool proves to be a reliable diagnostic method for evaluationof breast lumps at an earliest with excellent histologic reproducibility.

Characteristics of multifocality/multicentricity in breast cancer and its effect on axillary lymph node metastasis

Multifocal (MF) and multicentric (MC) breast cancers are seen with increasing frequency with advances in imaging methods. However, there is no consensus on the behavior and management of these tumors. In this study, we aimed to investigate the characteristics of MF/MC breast cancers and their relationship with axillary lymph node metastasis (ALNM). Patients who underwent surgery for breast cancer between January 2015 and January 2023 were retrospectively scanned. Exclusion criteria were as follows; male breast cancer, second primary cancer diagnosis, previous breast cancer history, previous excisional/incisional breast biopsy, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and occult breast cancer. Multiple tumors that were closer than 5 cm to each other were defined as MF, and the others were defined as MC. T stage was determined in two different ways, using the largest tumor diameter (Tmax) and the aggregate tumor diameter (Tsum), and two different multivariate analysis models were applied. A total of 156 patients were enrolled in the study, including 130 unifocal (UF), 17 MF and 9 MC. Lymphovascular invasion (LVI) (p=0.43), ALNM (p=0.23), younger age (&lt;50) (p=0.41) and invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) (p&lt;0.001) were higher in MF/MC tumors than in UFs. When comparing MF and MC, no difference was seen except progesterone receptor positivity (p=0.017). In both multivariate analyses, LVI and ILC had an effect on ALNM, while no effect of MF/MC was seen. In addition, while T stage had a significant effect on ALNM in the model using Tsum, it did not have a significant effect in the Tmax model. Our retrospective data supports that MF/MC is not a direct risk factor for ALNM and that the main factor affecting ALNM is the total tumor burden.

Prediction of axillary lymph node metastasis using tumor volume to breast volume ratio: retrospective cohort study.

Tumour size appear to be a risk factor of axillary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer. Recent evidence shows that higher the T staging is associated with higher rate of axillary lymph node metastasis. However, no studies shows that in the same T staging or tumour size but different breast size or breast volume the incidence of axillary lymph node metastasis differ or not . This Study aimed to investigate the association between tumour to breast ratio in breast cancer as a predictive factor of axillary lymph node metastasis. This study included 200 consecutive patients diagnosed with breast cancer between January 2012 to march 2022. The authors retrospectively reviewed medical data pathologic report and Ultrasonography and mammography of breast. Tumour diameter reported in pathologic report was used to calculate tumour volume using formula for ellipse. Breast volume was calculate using formula referencing from study of Jack W. Rostas et all by formula Breast Volume=1/3׶×Radius2ccview×Heightccview by measuring from mammography of patient. Tumour volume to breast volume ratio was calculated and analyzed. Of 200 patient included in this study, 84 patient (42%) was in lymph node positive group and 116 patient (58%) was in lymph node-negative group. Median for tumour and breast volume ratio in node positive group was higher [median 0.0093 (interquartile range=0.0047-0.023)] than in node-negative group [median 0.0065 (interquartile range (0.0028-0.0199)]. P=0.0414 receiver operating characteristic curve for tumour to breast ratio showed AUC of 0.7389 (95% CI 0.67993-0.82335) Which seems to be a significance as predictive factors for Axillary lymph node metastasis. Higher tumour volume to breast volume ratio tends to be a significance predictive factors for axillary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer patients.

Automated Versus Handheld Breast Ultrasound for Evaluating Axillary Lymph Nodes in Patients With Breast Cancer.

Automated breast ultrasound (ABUS) is a relevant imaging technique for early breast cancer diagnosis and is increasingly being used as a supplementary tool for mammography. This study compared the performance of ABUS and handheld ultrasound (HHUS) in detecting and characterizing the axillary lymph nodes (LNs) in patients with breast cancer. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of women with recently diagnosed early breast cancer (≤ T2) who underwent both ABUS and HHUS examinations for axilla (September 2017-May 2018). ABUS and HHUS findings were compared using pathological outcomes as reference standards. Diagnostic performance in predicting any axillary LN metastasis and heavy nodal-burden metastases (i.e., ≥ 3 LNs) was evaluated. The ABUS-HHUS agreement for visibility and US findings was calculated. The study included 377 women (53.1 ± 11.1 years). Among 385 breast cancers in 377 patients, 101 had axillary LN metastases and 30 had heavy nodal burden metastases. ABUS identified benign-looking or suspicious axillary LNs (average, 1.4 ± 0.8) in 246 axillae (63.9%, 246/385). According to the per-breast analysis, the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy of ABUS in predicting axillary LN metastases were 43.6% (44/101), 95.1% (270/284), 75.9% (44/58), 82.6% (270/327), and 81.6% (314/385), respectively. The corresponding results for HHUS were 41.6% (42/101), 95.1% (270/284), 75.0% (42/56), 82.1% (270/329), and 81.0% (312/385), respectively, which were not significantly different from those of ABUS (P ≥ 0.53). The performance results for heavy nodal-burden metastases were 70.0% (21/30), 89.6% (318/355), 36.2% (21/58), 97.3% (318/327), and 88.1% (339/385), respectively, for ABUS and 66.7% (20/30), 89.9% (319/355), 35.7% (20/56), 97.0% (319/329), and 88.1% (339/385), respectively, for HHUS, also not showing significant difference (P ≥ 0.57). The ABUS-HHUS agreement was 95.9% (236/246; Cohen's kappa = 0.883). Although ABUS showed limited sensitivity in diagnosing axillary LN metastasis in early breast cancer, it was still useful as the performance was comparable to that of HHUS.

Ultrasound-based radiomics nomogram for predicting axillary lymph node metastasis in invasive breast cancer.

To develop a nomogram for predicting axillary lymph node metastasis (ALNM) in patients with invasive breast cancer. We included 307 patients with clinicopathologically confirmed invasive breast cancer. The cohort was divided into a training group (n=215) and a validation group (n=92). Ultrasound images were used to extract radiomics features. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) algorithm helped select pertinent features, from which Radiomics Scores (Radscores) were calculated using the LASSO regression equation. We developed three logistic regression models based on Radscores and 2D image features, and assessed the models' performance in the validation group. A nomogram was created from the best-performing model. In the training set, the area under the curve (AUC) for the Radscore model, 2D feature model, and combined model were 0.76, 0.85, and 0.88, respectively. In the validation set, the AUCs were 0.71, 0.78, and 0.83, respectively. The combined model demonstrated good calibration and promising clinical utility. Our ultrasound-based radiomics nomogram can accurately and non-invasively predict ALNM in breast cancer, suggesting potential clinical applications to optimize surgical and medical strategies.

Does F-18 FDG-PET/CT Have an Additional Impact on Axillary Approach in Early-Stage Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer (BC) is a significant health concern and one of the most diagnosed cancers in women, both in Turkey and globally. Despite advances in the management of BC, axillary lymph node involvement remains a significant consideration for treatment planning, local recurrence, and prognosis. We aimed to evaluate the contribution of F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (F-18 FDG-PET/CT) in detecting axillary lymph node metastasis compared to ultrasound (US). Eighty patients who were diagnosed with stage I and II BC and underwent US and F-18 FDG-PET/CT scans before surgery were enrolled in this study. Those who did not undergo F-18 FDG-PET/CT imaging, patients with distant metastases at the time of diagnosis and patients with micrometastases in the axilla were excluded from the analysis. Imaging results of the status of axillary lymph nodes were verified with the final pathology report of axillary lymph nodes. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of F-18 FDG-PET/CT for the detection of ipsilateral axillary lymph node metastases were 75%, 77.27%, 72.97%, 79.07%, and 76.25%. The corresponding values for US were 72.22%, 81.82%, 76.47%, 78.26%, and 77.50%, respectively. When US finding is negative or suspicious in axillary lymph node evaluation, the accuracy of F-18 FDG-PET/CT for the detection of ipsilateral axillary lymph node metastases were 65.38%, 83.33%, 70.83%, and 79.55%, respectively. This study found that F-18 FDG-PET/CT does not provide an additional advantage over US in assessing the axilla in early-stage disease.

Comparison of diagnostic accuracy of conventional ultrasonography for characterization of axillary lymph nodes with histological findings.

Objective: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of conventional ultrasonography for characterization of axillary lymph nodes. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Department of Radiology, Aziz Fatima Medical and Dental Hospital, Faisalabad. Period: 1st of October 2022 to 31st of March 2023. Material &amp; Methods: A total number of 145 female patients above the age of 18 years who reported with mastalgia and diagnosed clinically with the presence of suspicious axillary lymph nodes were included in the study. The conventional ultrasonic evaluation index was used for characterization. The ultrasonological results of characterization of axillary lymph nodes were compared with histopathological results where results of histopathology were taken as gold standard. Results: The Mean±SD of age in this study was 44.15±8.42 years with an age range of 29-62 years. The Mean±SD of duration of complaints was 10.17±5.60 months. USG diagnosed 89 (61.37%) patients while histopathology diagnosed 92 (63.44%) patients with metastasis of ALN. USG showed sensitivity of 86.957%, specificity 83.019%, diagnostic accuracy 86%, PPV 89.888% and NPV 78.571% in diagnosis of metastasis of axillary lymph nodes (p &lt; 0.000). Conclusion: Conventional USG is a commonly available and affordable diagnostic tool which is useful with a good accuracy for characterization of axillary lymph nodes and detecting the metastasis.

Retracted: Deep Learning Mechanism for Predicting the Axillary Lymph Node Metastasis in Patients with Primary Breast Cancer.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1155/2022/8616535.].

Correlation between conventional ultrasound features combined with contrast-enhanced ultrasound patterns and pathological prognostic factors in malignant non-mass breast lesions.

To investigate the correlation between ultrasound performance and prognostic factors in malignant non-mass breast lesions (NMLs). This study included 106 malignant NMLs in 104 patients. Different US features and contrast enhancement patterns were evaluated. Prognostic factors, including histological types and grades, axillary lymph node and peritumoral lymphovascular status, estrogen and progesterone receptor status and the expression of HER-2 and Ki-67 were determined. A chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were used to analyse possible associations. Lesion size (OR: 3.08, p = 0.033) and posterior echo attenuation (OR: 8.38, p < 0.001) were useful in reflecting malignant NMLs containing an invasive carcinoma component. Posterior echo attenuation (OR: 7.51, p = 0.003) and unclear enhancement margin (OR: 6.50, p = 0.018) were often found in tumors with axillary lymph node metastases. Peritumoural lymphovascular invasion mostly exhibited posterior echo attenuation (OR: 3.84, p = 0.049) and unclear enhancement margin (OR: 8.68, p = 0.042) on ultrasound images. Perfusion defect was a comparatively accurate enhancement indicator for negative ER (OR: 2.57, p = 0.041) and PR (OR: 3.04, p = 0.008) expression. Calcifications (OR: 3.03, p = 0.025) and enlarged enhancement area (OR: 5.36, p = 0.033) imply an increased risk of positive HER-2 expression. Similarly, Calcifications (OR: 4.13, p = 0.003) and enlarged enhancement area (OR: 11.05, p < 0.001) were valid predictors of high Ki-67 proliferation index. Ultrasound performance is valuable for non-invasive prediction of prognostic factors in malignant NMLs.

Feasibility Study of Transarterial Chemotherapy Followed by Chemoembolization for Recurrent Breast Cancer

PurposeTo assess the treatment response to transarterial chemotherapy followed by chemoembolization for locally recurrent breast cancer. Materials and MethodsThirty-nine women with locally recurrent breast cancer after standard therapy underwent selective intra-arterial chemotherapy followed by embolization using drug-eluting microspheres for locally recurrent tumors and axillary lymph node metastases. Tumor response and toxicity were assessed by the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) and Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), and survival was evaluated by the Kaplan‒Meier method. ResultsThe local responses of breast tumors at 3 and 6 months were as follows: complete response, 5.1% and 7.2%; partial response, 35.9% and 67.8%; stable disease, 59.0% and 21.4%; and progressive disease, 0.0% and 3.6%, respectively. All adverse events were mild and did not require treatment. The median overall survival (OS) was 46.5 months, and the OS rates for 1 and 2 years were 81.4% and 69.2%, respectively. The size of recurrent tumors and axillary lymph node metastases did not impact prognosis, but both liver and bone metastases adversely affected survival. ConclusionTransarterial chemotherapy followed by chemoembolization may provide a favorable tumor response in patients with locally recurrent breast cancer in whom conventional therapy has failed.

Sonographic Characteristics of Enlarged Axillary Lymph Node in Breast Cancer

Background: Breast cancer, the most prevalent cancer in women globally, presents unique challenges in Pakistan, particularly due to the younger average age of diagnosis compared to Western countries. Accurate assessment of axillary lymph nodes using ultrasound (US) is essential for effective breast cancer staging and prognosis. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the sonographic characteristics of axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer patients in Pakistan and to assess the diagnostic efficacy of ultrasound in differentiating between benign and malignant lymph nodes. Methods: Conducted at Shalamar Hospital, Lahore, this cross-sectional study spanned four months and included 150 breast cancer patients aged 45-70 years, selected through convenient sampling. Ultrasound examinations were performed using a GE Ultrasound Machine Evolsion E7 with a linear probe (7.5-12Hz). Key sonographic parameters, including the shape, size (length and width), and echogenicity of lymph nodes, were meticulously recorded and analyzed by using SPSS 24.0. Results: The average length and width of lymph nodes were 5.86 mm (SD = 1.35) and 3.90 mm (SD = 0.77), respectively. A significant proportion of lymph nodes (74.2%) presented with a round shape in patients experiencing pain, and a predominance of hyperechoic nodes was noted, diverging from established literature that often associates hypoechoic nodes with malignancy. Additionally, an irregular shape was identified as a potential predictive marker for axillary lymph node metastasis. Conclusion: This study highlights the efficacy of axillary sonography in diagnosing axillary metastasis in breast cancer, showing moderate sensitivity and substantial specificity. It also identifies a notable association between older age and the likelihood of axillary lymph node metastasis, especially in women in their forties.

The ratio of lymphocyte/red blood cells and platelets/lymphocytes are predictive biomarkers for lymph node metastasis in patients with breast cancer.

Axillary lymph node metastasis (LNM) affects the progression of breast cancer. However, it is difficult to preoperatively diagnose axillary lymph node status with high sensitivity. Therefore, we hypothesized that platelets/lymphocytes ratio (PLR) and lymphocytes/ red blood cells ratio (LRR) might help in the prognosis of lymph node metastasis in T1-T2 breast cancer. 166 patients (Chang Ning Maternity & Infant Health Institute) were included in our study, and the associations of PLR and LPR with lymph node metastasis were investigated. Peripheral blood was collected one week before the surgery, and the patients were divided into different categories based on their PLR and LRR. The incidence of LNM was significantly increased in the high PLR group (p= 0.002) compared with the low PLR group; LNM was also significantly increased in the low LRR group (p= 0.036) compared with the high LPR group. Further, our study revealed that high PLR (p< 0.001, OR = 4.397, 95% CI = 2.005-9.645), low LRR (p= 0.017, OR = 0.336, 95%CI = 0.136-0.825) and high clinical T stage (p< 0.001, OR = 3.929, 95%CI = 1.913-8.071) are independent predictors of LNM. PLR and LRR could be identified as predictors of LNM in patients with T1/T2 breast cancer.

Radiomics Nomogram Based on Dual-Sequence MRI for Assessing Ki-67 Expression in Breast Cancer.

Radiomics has been extensively applied in predicting Ki-67 in breast cancer (BC). However, this is often confined to the exploration of a single sequence, without considering the varying sensitivity and specificity among different sequences. To develop a nomogram based on dual-sequence MRI derived radiomic features combined with clinical characteristics for assessing Ki-67 expression in BC. Retrospective. 227 females (average age, 51 years) with 233 lesions and pathologically confirmed BC, which were divided into the training set (n = 163) and test set (n = 70). 3.0-T, T1-weighted dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps from diffusion-weighted MRI (EPI sequence). The regions of interest were manually delineated on ADC and DCE-MRI sequences. Three radiomics models of ADC, DCE-MRI, and dsMRI (combined ADC and DCE-MRI sequences) were constructed by logistic regression and the radiomics score (Radscore) of the best model was calculated. The correlation between Ki-67 expression and clinical characteristics such as receptor status, axillary lymph node (ALN) metastasis status, ADC value, and time signal intensity curve was analyzed, and the clinical model was established. The Radscore was combined with clinical predictors to construct a nomogram. The independent sample t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-squared test, Interclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), single factor analysis, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), logistic regression, receiver operating characteristics, Delong test, Hosmer_Lemeshow test, calibration curve, decision curve. A P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. In the test set, the prediction efficiency of the dsMRI model (AUC = 0.862) was higher than ADC model (AUC = 0.797) and DCE-MRI model (AUC = 0.755). With the inclusion of estrogen receptor (ER) and ALN metastasis, the nomogram displayed quality improvement (AUC = 0.876), which was superior to the clinical model (AUC = 0.787) and radiomics model. The nomogram based on dsMRI radiomic features and clinical characteristics may be able to assess Ki-67 expression in BC. 3 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 3.

Axillary Lymph Node Metastasis in Medullary Thyroid Cancer: Atypical Lymphatic Spread or Expression of a Systemic Disease?

Axillary Lymph Node Metastasis in Medullary Thyroid Cancer: Atypical Lymphatic Spread or Expression of a Systemic Disease?

Utility of positron emission tomography for determination of axillary metastasis of breast cancer.

The involvement of axillary lymph nodes plays a key role in breast cancer staging. Positron emission tomography is a promising modality for detecting axillary lymph node metastasis. In addition, nomograms are used to predict the status of axillary lymph nodes. In this study, the role of positron emission tomography in determining axillary metastasis and its correlation with the nomogram was evaluated. The axillary maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax) values of the patients in the preoperative period, the features in the perioperative and postoperative specimen and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center nomogram data were evaluated. As axillary SUVmax detected by Positron emission tomography in the preoperative period increased, so did the likelihood of lymph node involvement. Axillary SUVmax value were compared with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center nomogram data but no correlation was found. Age, lymph node number, histopathology results, mass diameter, presence or absence of lymphovascular invasion and/or perineural invasion, tumor type, estrogen receptor status, Ki67 and Cerb-B2 statuses were not correlated. However, axillary SUVmax was inversely correlated with grade and progesterone receptor status. Results from positron emission tomography of axillary lymph nodes in breasts cancer patients showed that SUVmax was only inversely related to cancer grade and progesterone receptor status while not correlating with other accepted parameters for tumor assessment. Thus there is insufficient reliability for the use of axillary SUVmax alone for accurate assessment of tumor characteristics at present.

Polyacrylic Acid-Modified Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Differentiate Between Hyperplastic and Metastatic Breast Cancer Lymph Nodes

The recognition of lymph node (LN) metastasis is critical for breast cancer staging. Axillary lymph node (ALN) puncture or resection followed by biopsy, to determine whether the presence of metastasis is the diagnostic ‘gold standard’ for axillary lymph node metastasis. This procedure is an invasive procedure that triggers a series of complications. To solve this problem, we developed an ultrasmall superparamagnetic polyacrylic acid-modified iron oxide nanoparticles (PAA@IONs), which exhibit excellent physicochemical characteristics and are extremely stable in the aqueous state. They had an average hydrated particle size of 37.81±0.80 nm, average zeta potential of −38.7±3.8 mV, relaxivity R1 of 25.53±1.58 s−1mM−1, and R2 of 43.10±3.43 s−1mM−1. Animal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the inflammatory hyperplasia model and tumor metastasis model of lymph nodes showed that the samples could effectively detect the metastasized tumors in lymph nodes (n =8). The inflammatory lymphadenopathy did not affect lymph node diagnosis, and this property helped overcome the challenge of current lymph node diagnosis, showing high sensitivity (100%) and specificity (83%). Body weight, hematology, coagulation parameters, serum biochemistry, gross anatomy, and histopathological examination of all Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats after intravenous administration of single or multiple doses of PAA@IONs showed no abnormal findings. Therefore, the ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles constructed herein are a promising contrast agent for nodal tumor staging.

Breast carcinoma arising in a fibroadenoma: A case series of 16patients and review of the literature.

Breast carcinoma arising from a fibroadenoma is an uncommon entity and is frequently detected incidentally during pathological examination or excisional biopsy of a benign breast tumor. Due to only sporadic cases being reported, evidence-based guidelines are not well-established to date. The present report describes 16 patients diagnosed with breast carcinoma arising within a fibroadenoma in the Third Hospital of Nanchang (Nanchang, China) between January 2019 and December 2021 and discusses the clinicopathological characteristics, imaging findings and treatment. The age of patients at diagnosis ranged between 19 and 58 years and a well-defined asymptomatic mass was the most common clinical presentation. Carcinoma occurring in fibroadenoma generally mimics a benign tumor and potential carcinomatous changes may not be detected. Pathologically, carcinoma in situ was the predominant subtype in the present study. Additionally, ductal carcinoma in situ was more common compared with lobular carcinoma in situ in the present case series. Regarding the molecular phenotypes, the majority of cases were categorized as luminal subtype, although other subtypes such as triple-negative and HER2 positive breast cancer were also identified. In the present study, seven patients were treated with breast-conserving surgery and nine patients were treated with mastectomy. Sentinel lymph node biopsy was performed in all patients and none exhibited axillary node metastasis. Additionally, six patients underwent radiotherapy and two received chemotherapy. During the follow-up, all patients were alive and no evidence of disease relapse was observed. In summary, clinicians should be aware of the possibility of carcinoma within a fibroadenoma, which could alter the therapeutical course. Adequate biopsy or excision should be performed in patients with indicators of malignant transformation in a presumed benign breast tumor.

Breast Edema of Early-stage Invasive Ductal Carcinoma: Correlation with Axillary Lymph Node Metastasis and Clinical-pathological Characteristics.

This study aimed to evaluate the association of different patterns of breast edema and clinical-pathological features and axillary lymph node (ALN) status in early invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) for simple and readily available assessment and to guide surgeons to perform sentinel lymph node biopsy for selected patients. This retrospective analysis involved 207 individuals with clinical T1-T2 stage IDC. The clinical-pathological features of the patients were compared with different breast edema and ALN statuses. Independent risk factors for ALN metastasis were verified using multivariate logistic regression analysis. ALN metastasis was confirmed in 100 of 207 patients (48.3%) with early-stage IDC. Significant differences were found between different ALN states for tumour size, clinical T stage, and breast edema (P <0.05). The clinical T2 stage (odds ratio-1.882, p=0.043) and moderate to severe edema (odds ratio-10.869, p=0.004) were independent risk factors for ALN metastasis. Moreover, better prognostic factors, including smaller tumour size, lower Ki-67 index and histologic grade, luminal A subtype, and lower incidence of lymph node metastasis, were more frequently found in patients with no breast edema (p<0.05). Breast edema can be considered a promising feature to improve the predictive performance of pathological ALN status in patients with early-stage breast cancer and thus may contribute to preoperative treatment planning.