Positive Nodes Research Articles

Multifunctional role of the tumor associated monocytes/macrophages in the metastatic potential of inflammatory breast cancer.

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is the most aggressive and lethal phenotype form of breast cancer, which afflicts young women at high incidence in North Africa compared to other continents of the world. IBC is characterized by highly metastatic behavior and possesses specific pathobiological properties different from non-IBC. IBC disease displays unusual common properties at typical presentation, including positive metastatic lymph-nodes, high infiltration of tumor associated monocytes/macrophages, rapid progression to distant metastasis, and possibly the production of a unique repertoire of growth factors, cytokines and chemokines, as well as a striking association with different polarized macrophages compared to non-IBC. Indeed, tumor associated monocytes/macrophages (TAM/M) play a crucial role in breast cancer development. Previously, we showed that cross talk between IBC cells and patient derived TAMs occurs via secretion of inflammatory mediators from TAMs that act on specific extracellular domain receptors activating down-stream signaling pathways that promote the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, cancer cell invasion, IBC stem cell properties, drug resistance, local and metastatic recurrence of residual tumor cells and other key markers of malignancy, including in vitro colony formation capacity. In this mini review, we will discuss the role of TAMs in IBC cancer metastatic potential and molecules involved. The review also discusses the recent discoveries in the field of IBC research.

Adjuvant Use of Pembrolizumab for Stage III Melanoma in a Real-World Setting in Europe.

Although data on patients treated with pembrolizumab are available from clinical trials and single-country real-world reports, to our knowledge no multi-country real-world studies have investigated the use of pembrolizumab as an adjuvant treatment for stage III melanoma. We used the European Melanoma Registry (EUMelaReg), a disease entity-based registry specific for melanoma, to examine treatment and outcomes for adult patients with stage III melanoma with lymph node involvement who had complete resection and received adjuvant treatment with pembrolizumab. The primary objectives were to describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of the included patients as well as time on adjuvant pembrolizumab treatment (TOT), real-world recurrence-free survival (RFS) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) from adjuvant pembrolizumab initiation. Secondary objectives were time to next treatment (TTNT) after adjuvant use of pembrolizumab, next-line therapy for stage III and unresectable stage IV melanoma and overall survival (OS) from initiation of pembrolizumab. Patients were stratified according to age, sex, BRAF status, number of positive lymph nodes and disease substage. Median TOT was 11.1 (9.2-11.5) months, median RFS was 29.6 [18.7-not reached (NR)] months and median DMFS was 32.4 (22.7-NR) months. TTNT was 29.9 (22.2-NR) months, while median OS was not reached. The results of this study offer insights into the real-world use of pembrolizumab as an adjuvant therapy for melanoma in Europe.

Comparison of clinical characteristics and prognostic factors in two site-specific categories of ampullary cancer

BACKGROUND Ampullary cancer is a relatively rare malignant tumor in the digestive system. Its incidence has increased in recent years. As for now, its biological characteristics have not been fully clarified. Recent studies have primarily focused on the histological classification and genetic changes, but there are fewer investigations into the differences among site-specific subgroups. The clinicopathological characteristics of ampullary cancer occurring in different positions have not been elucidated. Furthermore, the role of adjuvant therapy in the treatment of patients with ampullary cancer remains controversial. AIM To study the clinicopathological features of the two site-specific subgroups of ampullary cancer and explore the factors affecting prognosis. METHODS A total of 356 patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled. Patients were divided into ampulla of Vater cancer (AVC) and duodenal papilla cancer (DPC) based on the gross and microscopic findings. Baseline data, admission examination results, and perioperative outcomes were collected and analyzed. The Kaplan-Meier curve was used for survival analysis. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to explore the independent risk factors affecting the overall survival (OS) of both groups. RESULTS The preoperative total bilirubin level in patients with AVC was significantly higher than those with DPC (P = 0.04). The OS for patients with DPC was 58.90 ± 38.74 months, significantly longer than 44.31 ± 35.90 months for patients with AVC (P < 0.01). The independent risk factors affecting the OS of AVC included: Preoperative albumin level (P = 0.009), total bilirubin level (P = 0.017), and number of positive lymph nodes (P = 0.005). For DPC, risk factors included: Age (P = 0.004), tumor size (P = 0.023), number of positive lymph nodes (P = 0.010) and adjuvant treatment (P = 0.020). Adjuvant therapy significantly improved the OS rate of patients with DPC, but not for those with AVC. CONCLUSION Patients with AVC had a shorter OS compared to those with DPC. The prognosis factors and the role of adjuvant therapy of two groups were different.

Comparison of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy versus chemoradiotherapy plus immunotherapy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in a real-world multicenter cohort: a propensity score matching study.

Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy combined with immunotherapy (NICRT) is a new neoadjuvant treatment approach that has raised concerns regarding potential challenges in surgery and postoperative complications. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT) and NICRT for the treatment of resectable locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). We retrospectively analyzed 291 patients with locally advanced ESCC who underwent neoadjuvant therapy and esophagectomy at three centers between January 2019 and September 2023 and added the data from PALACE-1 for the analysis, Among these patients, 248 and 61 patients received NCRT and NICRT, respectively. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to balance the potential bias. After the PSM,the rate of a pathological complete response (pCR) in the NCRT group was not significantly different from that in the NICRT group (46.90% vs 36.36%, P = 0.180). There were no significant differences in the tumor regression grade (TRG) and positive lymph node pCR rates between the two groups (P = 0.233 and P = 0.354, respectively). Treatment-related toxicities and postoperative complications were not significantly different between the NCRT group and the NICRT group (P = 0.199, P = 0.284). Compared with NCRT, NICRT did not lead to the better treatment efficacy. There were no significant differences was observed in the incidence of treatment-related toxicities and postoperative complications.

Reduction of Blood Oxidative Stress Following Colorectal Cancer Resection

Background: Colorectal cancer is a major global health burden, with surgical resection being the standard treatment aimed at curative tumor removal. Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in colorectal cancer progression and prognosis. This study hypothesized that physical removal of colorectal cancer, a primary source of oxidative stress, would reduce blood levels of reactive oxygen metabolite derivatives (d-ROMs), a marker of oxidative stress, and biologic antioxidant potential (BAP) levels, a marker of antioxidant potential. Methods: This study included 123 patients who underwent radical resection for colorectal cancer. d-ROM and BAP levels were measured before and one month after surgery. Results: The clinicopathological analysis showed a correlation between preoperative d-ROM levels and tumor size (p < 0.001). This study confirmed a significant reduction in d-ROM levels following tumor resection, indicating reduced systemic oxidative stress. The reduction was significant in stages II and III, but not in stage I. The d-ROM ratio before and after tumor resection was significantly higher in cases with positive lymph node metastasis and larger tumor size. BAP levels showed no significant changes post-surgery. Conclusions: These results suggest that d-ROMs could serve as a valuable biomarker for monitoring tumor burden and surgical efficacy in patients with colorectal cancer.

Total Positivity and Accurate Computations Related to q-Abel Polynomials

The attainment of accurate numerical solutions of ill-conditioned linear algebraic problems involving totally positive matrices has been gathering considerable attention among researchers over the last years. In parallel, the interest of q-calculus has been steadily growing in the literature. In this work the q-analogue of the Abel polynomial basis is studied. The total positivity of the matrix of change of basis between monomial and q-Abel bases is characterized, providing its bidiagonal factorization. Moreover, well-known high relative accuracy results of Vandermonde matrices corresponding to increasing positive nodes are extended to the decreasing negative case. This further allows to solve with high relative accuracy several algebraic problems concerning collocation, Wronskian and Gramian matrices of q-Abel polynomials. Finally, a series of numerical tests support the presented theoretical results and illustrate the goodness of the method where standard approaches fail to deliver accurate solutions.

Prospective single-arm multicenter interventional study of surgical resection for liver metastasis from gastric cancer; 3-year overall and recurrence-free survival

ObjectivePotential benefit of surgical resection for liver metastasis from gastric cancer (LMGC) remains controversial because most previous studies were retrospective. We evaluated the outcomes of surgical resection following chemotherapy for LMGC in a prospective single-arm multicenter interventional study. MethodsPatients with synchronous or metachronous LMGC received 2–4 cycles of standard chemotherapy and proceeded to surgical resection if restaging showed a non-progressive disease with a chance of R0 resection. The primary endpoint was 3-year OS of R0 patients, with RFS as secondary. Prognostic factors for R0 patients were evaluated by multivariable Cox regression analysis. ResultsSeventy patients were enrolled between 2011 and 2019. Two patients were ineligible, and 20 discontinued treatment before surgery. Of the 48 patients eventually undergoing surgery, 43 accomplished R0 resection of the primary and/or metastatic GC, while 1 ended in R2 resection and 4 were considered ineligible. Median and 3-year OS for R0 patients were 39.8 months (95 % confidence interval [CI], 26.9 to not reached) and 58.1 % (95 % CI, 43.1–71.8), respectively, while median and 3-year RFS were 14.9 months (95 % CI 7.9–34.0) and 34.9 % (95 % CI 22.2–50.1), respectively. On multivariable analysis, both multiple liver metastases and positive nodal status (pN1–3) were negatively associated with OS (multiple liver metastases: hazard ratio [HR] 2.71 (95 % CI, 1.16–6.35), P = 0.022; pN1–3: HR 9.11 (95 % CI, 1.22–68.2), P = 0.031). ConclusionR0 resection following chemotherapy for LMGC yielded promising survival, with multiple liver metastases and positive nodal status being significant indicators of poor prognosis. Clinical trial registration number: UMIN 000011445 (https://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/).

Lymphatic mapping in second primary or recurrent oral cavity cancer with prior neck treatment: A case series and scoping review

ObjectivesLymphatic mapping is an established technique to map drainage patterns in oral cancer. Its utility in patients who have undergone prior radiation or neck dissection is not well studied. MethodsPatients presenting to a single tertiary cancer center between 2021–2023 for a recurrent/second oral cancer that underwent lymphatic mapping were considered. All patients had a history of a head and neck cancer treated with either radiation or neck dissection. We further conducted a scoping review in MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science of lymphatic mapping in oral cancer patients with previous neck treatment. ResultsIn our single center review, a total of 11 patients were included. 73 % received prior radiotherapy and 55 % underwent prior neck dissections for a head and neck cancer. Lymphoscintigraphy-directed neck dissections identified sentinel nodes in 9/11 patients, with only one patient who had positive sentinel node disease. There were no reports of regional recurrence at a median of 10 months follow-up. Our scoping review of 980 studies identified 151 additional patients who underwent sentinel node biopsy for a second oral cancer after previous neck treatment. Overall, the negative predictive value of lymphatic mapping in all studies was 96.7 %. ConclusionLymphatic mapping is feasible in secondary or recurrent oral cavity cancers even in patients with prior radiation or surgical management of the neck. The literature to date demonstrates a negative predictive value of ∼ 97 % for sentinel node mapping and warrants further consideration in the management of salvage oral cancer.

Impact of Clipped Node as a Sentinel Lymph Node on Axillary Staging Following Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Clinically Node-Positive Breast Cancer.

Residual disease after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is prognostic and informs adjuvant treatment. Targeted axillary dissection (TAD) following NAC has low false-negative rates, facilitating accurate axillary staging. This study evaluates the clipped node status in axillary staging utilizing TAD. Retrospective review identified cN1 breast cancer patients treated with NAC and TAD from July 2013 to June 2023. Nodal ultrasound and biopsy defined cN1 status. Patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics were compared based on clipped node status (sentinel lymph node [SLN] or non-SLN). Multivariate analysis of factors associated with theclipped node as anon-SLN was performed. A total of 680 patients underwent TAD, 94.6% with dual-tracer mapping. In three patients (0.4%), no SLN was identified. The clipped node was a SLN in 610 patients (90%) and non-SLN in 70 (10.3%). When the clipped node was a non-SLN, 42 (60%) were positive for metastasis. In 22 of 42 patients (52%), the clipped non-SLN was the only positive node. The clipped non-SLN cohort had a higher proportion with >3 suspicious nodes at presentation (p = 0.003), fewer SLNs excised (mean 2.2 vs. 3.5, p ≤ 0.001), and fewer positive SLNs (p ≤ 0.001). On multivariate analysis, >3 suspicious nodes on ultrasound (odds ratio 3.0, p = 0.001) and tumor size at presentation (odds ratio 0.9, p = 0.02) were significantly associated with theclipped node as anon-SLN. When the clipped node was a non-SLN, half of the time it was the only positive node and only residual disease on TAD. Given implications for adjuvant therapy, selective clipped node excision is recommended for precise identification of residual disease after NAC.

Impact of extended endocrine therapy for patients with risk factors for late recurrence in estrogen receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative breast cancer after 5years of endocrine therapy.

Extended endocrine therapy shows promise for reducing the recurrence of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer. However, its benefits in patients with high-risk factors for late recurrence remain unclear, particularly in premenopausal patients. In this study, we aimed to explore the impact of extended endocrine therapy in patients with risk factors for late recurrence of postmenopausal and premenopausal ER-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer. We retrospectively analyzed data from patients with ER-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer at Tohoku Kosai Hospital who were disease-free after 5years of adjuvant endocrine therapy. The patients were classified as high risk based on lymph node positivity, tumor size > 2cm, or high tumor grade. The high-risk group was further divided into extended therapy and stop groups. Propensity score matching was applied to balance baseline characteristics. Disease-free survival (DFS) was the primary endpoint. Among the 1474 eligible patients, 224 received extended endocrine therapy, and 1250 stopped therapy. After propensity score matching, the high-risk group comprised 348 patients (n = 174 patients/group). The extended therapy group had significantly higher 10-year DFS and distant DFS rates than the stop group. The multivariate Cox model indicated a 69% reduction in recurrence risk in the extended therapy group. Extended endocrine therapy can substantially improve DFS in patients with high-risk ER-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer, especially in those with large tumors, lymph node involvement, and high tumor grade. These findings support personalized treatment strategies for enhancing long-term outcomes.

Identification Of Risk Factors Of Bone Metastasis Among Iraqi Breast Cancer Women

Background: The most common site of metastases in people with breast cancer is bone metastasis. Patients with advanced phases of cancer are associated with an increased prevalence of several types of metastases, one of which is bone metastasis. Object: Assessment of the risk factors for bone metastases in patients with breast cancer. Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective study of 316 patients with breast cancer who either had bone metastases at the time of diagnosis or developed it later on. The study was carried out between January 2013 and April 2018. Three hundred and sixteen patients were assigned into two groups. In the case group, 100 patients with breast cancer had been diagnosed with bone metastasis by CT, MRI, bone scan, and PET scan; in the control group, there were 216 cases in are control group with breast cancer metastasis to sites other than bone. The questionnaire was created to record all factors (with the exception of demographic information), such as age, histopathological reading for invasive lobular carcinoma, invasive ductal carcinoma, or another type of cancer, ER status, PR status, Her2neu status, lymph node status and stage, and menopausal status. Results: The majority were 45 years of age or younger, and 96.5% of them had invasive ductal carcinoma in terms of hormonal status. Positive ER and PR status is found in 67.7% and 67.1% of the cases, respectively; 40.5% of the cases had amplified Her2neu receptors, 78.5% of the cases had positive lymph nodes, and 41.9% of the cases had (N1) stage. The highest proportion of bone metastasis was associated with negative ER and PR receptors (46.2% and 49%, respectively), while no significant statistical association (P= 0.65). Conclusion: negative ER, PR status, and Her2neu receptors not amplified, lymph node involvement, age 45 and less, infiltrating lobular carcinoma (ILC) histological type, and menopausal state are significant risk factors for bone metastasis in breast cancer.

Assessing para-aortic nodal status in high-grade endometrial cancer patients with negative pelvic sentinel lymph node biopsy.

To determine the accuracy of pelvic sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLN) in detecting positive para-aortic (PA) lymph nodes in high-grade uterine cancer, and to determine the recurrence rate in patients with high-grade uterine cancers who did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy based on negative pelvic SLNs. This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with newly diagnosed, high-grade endometrial cancer who underwent surgery, including pelvic SLNs with or without PA node dissection, at a tertiary care institution between 2015 and 2020. Baseline demographics, surgical management, pathology data, and outcomes were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and survival analysis. Postoperative histology of the 110 patients meeting inclusion criteria was 45.5% grade 3 endometrioid, 36.4% serous, 10.9% clear cell, and 7.3% carcinosarcoma. On final pathology, 63.7% were stage 1, and 23.6% were stage 3C with positive nodes. A total of 63 patients (57.3%) had a PA lymph node dissection (56 bilateral, 7 unilateral) in addition to the pelvic SLN. Among this group, 5.8% (95% confidence interval 1.2%-16.0%) had a positive PA node despite a negative pelvic SLN. Among those with a negative pelvic SLN and no adjuvant chemotherapy (n = 75), the rate of distant recurrence was 14.7%, and 3-year recurrence-free survival was 71.9%. The rate of isolated PA node metastasis in high-grade endometrial cancers despite a negative pelvic SLN may be significantly higher than the accepted rate of isolated PA node metastasis in low-grade endometrial cancer. This supports adjuvant treatment decisions continuing to incorporate primary tumor pathology and molecular classification.

Development and Validation of a Nomogram Prediction Model for Moderate-to-Severe Acute Radiation Dermatitis in Patients with Breast Cancer: A Retrospective Study.

Aims/Background Acute radiation dermatitis is the most common complication of radiotherapy in patients with breast cancer, with mild severity relieved by symptomatic treatment and moderate-to-severe severity leading to compromised skin integrity and affecting the patient's quality of life. Therefore, this study aims to develop a prediction model for moderate-to-severe acute radiation dermatitis in patients with breast cancer to reduce its severity. Methods A retrospective analysis of 713 patients receiving radiotherapy for breast cancer at the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from January 2019 to December 2023 was conducted, with January 2019 to December 2021 serving as the training group (497 patients) and January 2022 to December 2023 serving as the validation group (216 patients). Patients in the training group were classified as having mild (383 patients) or moderately severe (114 patients) acute radiation dermatitis. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the independent effects on moderately severe acute radiation dermatitis in patients with breast cancer, and a predictive model of the bar-folding plot was constructed and validated. Results Univariable analysis revealed that age, body mass index, targeted therapy, oral tamoxifen use, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, positive regional lymph node metastasis, value-added index, and triple-negative breast cancer were factors influencing moderate-to-severe acute radiation dermatitis in patients with breast cancer. Multivariate analysis showed that body mass index, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, positive regional lymph node metastasis, and value-added index were independent influencing factors for moderate-to-severe acute radiation dermatitis in patients with breast cancer. A nomogram prediction model was constructed, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the model was 0.814 and 0.743 for internal and external validation, respectively. The calibration curve showed that the model predicted moderate-to-severe acute radiation dermatitis better, and the decision curve analysis curve showed that the model had a high clinical benefit. Conclusion This risk prediction model can predict moderate-to-severe acute radiation dermatitis in patients with breast cancer, and help clinical providers screen high-risk patients and reduce acute radiation dermatitis severity.

Real-World Implications of the SOUND Trial.

The SOUND trial demonstrated that omission of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is noninferior to axillary staging in patients with early-stage breast cancer (BC) and negative axillary ultrasound (AxUS). We examined the generalizability of these findings in patients with hormone receptor (HR)+HER2- disease. Patients with cT1N0M0, HR+HER2- BC and negative AxUS undergoing breast conservation with SLNB from 2016 to 2023 were identified from a prospectively maintained database. Clinicopathologic characteristics, disease burden, adjuvant treatment, and oncologic outcomes were examined and compared with the SLNB arm of the SOUND trial. In postmenopausal patients, the impact of nodal status and 21-gene recurrence score on chemotherapy recommendations were also examined. Of 3972 patients with cT1N0M0 HR+HER2- breast cancer, 544 underwent AxUS; 312 met SOUND eligibility criteria. Median age was 57 (interquartile range [IQR] 48-64) years, and 199 (63.8%) were postmenopausal. Median (IQR) tumor size was 1.3 (0.9-1.7) cm, and 260 (83.3%) tumors were grade 1 or 2. Sentinel lymph node biopsy was positive in 38 (12.2%) patients. Only three (0.4%) had ≥ 4 positive lymph nodes. At a median follow-up of 26.2 (IQR 10.8-38.2) months, there were no axillary recurrences and one (0.3%) distant recurrence. Among postmenopausal women with recurrence score ≤ 25, chemotherapy recommendations were not associated with nodal status. Examination of our real-world HR+ HER2- "SOUND-eligible" population suggests that nodal disease burden and oncologic outcomes are similar to the SOUND trial population, supporting careful implementation of trial results into multidisciplinary practice. In postmenopausal patients, omission of SLNB does not appear to impact adjuvant chemotherapy recommendations.

Lateral node metastasis in low rectal cancer as a hallmark to predict recurrence patterns.

Lateral node metastasis confers a poor prognosis in rectal cancer. Several multidisciplinary treatments have been proposed with favorable outcomes. However, appropriate neoadjuvant/adjuvant treatments or follow-up plans based on information about the probable recurrence site have not been specified. We aimed to clarify the distinctive features of recurrence patterns for lateral node-positive low rectal cancer according to the lateral and mesorectal lymph node status. We retrospectively analyzed 508 patients with stage III low rectal cancer who underwent lateral node dissection. We investigated the impact of lateral and mesorectal lymph node status on site-specific recurrence rates and patient survival. Analyses for relapse-free survival revealed the prognostic impact of lateral node positivity in stage III low rectal cancer (p < 0.0001). Lateral node-positive patients exhibited higher risk of overall recurrence, local recurrence, and recurrence in extra-regional nodes than lateral node-negative patients (p < 0.0001, p = 0.001, and p < 0.0001, respectively). However, lateral node positivity was not statistically associated with a hematogenous recurrence rate. In lateral node-positive patients, both tumor-node-metastasis (TNM)-N status and number of lateral nodes involved were revealed as significant prognostic factors (p < 0.0001, both). In addition, the number of lateral nodes involved could be a discriminatory indicator of probabilities of local recurrence and recurrence in extra-regional nodes (p = 0.02, and p < 0.0001, respectively). Lateral node-positive low rectal cancer exhibits higher local recurrence and extra-regional node recurrence rates that correlate with the number of lateral nodes involved.

Reductions in recurrence in women with early breast cancer entering clinical trials between 1990 and 2009: a pooled analysis of 155 746 women in 151 trials

Distant recurrence in women with oestrogen receptor-positive early breast cancer persists at a constant rate for more than 20 years after diagnosis, with little equivalent data for oestrogen receptor-negative breast cancer. Using the database of the Early Breast Cancer Trialists' Collaborative Group (EBCTCG) we investigated rates of distant breast-cancer recurrence in oestrogen receptor-positive and oestrogen receptor-negative tumours and trends in outcomes over time. In this pooled analysis of randomised controlled trial data, patients in the EBCTCG database of more than 650 000 women in trials of treatment for early-stage breast cancer were screened for eligibility. Women were eligible if they were enrolled between 1990 and 2009 and newly diagnosed with oestrogen receptor-positive breast cancer and scheduled for at least 5 years of endocrine therapy, or oestrogen receptor-negative disease, and if they were younger than 75 years at diagnosis, had a tumour diameter of 50 mm or less, and fewer than ten positive axillary lymph nodes, and no evidence of distant metastases at entry. Trial of neoadjuvant therapy, or those in which adjuvant therapy was unclear, and women with oestrogen receptor-negative, progesterone receptor-positive disease, or those for whom outcome or baseline data were missing were excluded. The primary outcome was time to first distant recurrence as defined by each trial, ignoring any locoregional recurrence or contralateral breast cancer. 10-year risks of distant recurrence by period of diagnosis were compared using Cox regression adjusted for patient and tumour characteristics, trial, and assigned treatment. Of the 652 258 women with early breast cancer in the EBCTCG database on Jan 17, 2023, patient-level data were available from 151 randomised trials that included 155 746 women. Rates of distant tumour recurrence improved similarly in women with oestrogen receptor-positive and oestrogen receptor-negative tumours. 80·5% of the improvement for oestrogen receptor-positive disease and 89·8% of the improvement for eostrogen receptor-negative disease was explained by changes in patient and tumour characteristics and improved treatments, but remained significant (p<0·0001). More recently diagnosed patients were more likely to have node-negative disease. 10-year distant recurrence risks during 1990-99 versus 2000-09 were as follows: for node-negative disease, 10·1% versus 7·3% for oestrogen receptor-positive disease and 18·3% versus 11·9% for oestrogen receptor-negative disease; for disease with one to three positive nodes, 19·9% versus 14·7% for oestrogen receptor-positive disease and 31·9% versus 22·1% for oestrogen receptor-negative disease; and for disease with four to nine positive nodes, 39·6% versus 28·5% for oestrogen receptor-positive disease and 47·8% versus 36·5% for oestrogen receptor-negative disease. After adjustment for therapy, rates were reduced by 25% (oestrogen receptor-positive disease) and 19% (oestrogen receptor-negative disease) after 2000 versus the 1990s, with similar improvements observed in oestrogen receptor-positive disease beyond 5 years. Most of the improvement in trial outcomes is explained by a greater proportion of women with lower-risk disease entering trials and improved adjuvant treatment. After adjustment, women diagnosed since 2000 have about a fifth lower rate of distant recurrence than the 1990s. Long-term risks of distant recurrence for oestrogen receptor-positive disease remain, but are about a tenth lower now than in our previous report. Cancer Research UK, UK Medical Research Council.

Are Clinically Node-Negative Patients with a Positive Preoperative Axillary Lymph Node Biopsy Appropriate Candidates for Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy?

Whether cN0 patients with image-detected nodal metastases are appropriate for sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) or should proceed directly to axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) or neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is controversial. We sought to determine how often ALND is needed with upfront surgery and to identify factors associated with ≥ 3 positive SLNs after a positive preoperative lymph node (LN) biopsy. Patients with cT1-2N0 breast cancer and a positive LN biopsy treated from 2014 to 2022 were identified from a prospective database. Patients who received NAC were excluded. Clinicopathologic characteristics were compared between women with 1-2 positive SLNs and ≥ 3 positive SLNs. Of 90 eligible patients, 66 (73%) had 1-2 positive SLNs and 24 (27%) had ≥ 3 positive SLNs. The median patient age was 62 years, median tumor size was 2.2 cm, and 16 women (18%) received a mastectomy. There was no difference in body mass index, tumor size, histology, grade, multifocality, presence of lymphovascular invasion, and receptor status between groups. On multivariable analysis, having ≥ 3 positive SLNs was associated with > 1 abnormal LN on preoperative imaging (odds ratio [OR] 4.36, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.47-14.0; p = 0.01), microscopic extracapsular extension in the SLNs (OR 3.83, 95% CI 1.25-13.7; p = 0.025), and a higher median number of SLNs removed (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.10-1.88; p = 0.01). More than 70% of women with cT1-2 breast cancer with image-detected nodal metastases had < 3 positive SLNs and did not require ALND. To avoid multiple trips to the operating room, frozen section can be considered in women with multiple abnormal LNs on imaging.

Micropapillary pattern in colorectal cancer: an Australian multicentre experience.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide. Micropapillary carcinoma (MPC) is increasingly identified as a poor prognostic marker in various cancers, including breast, bladder and lung. It remains an under recognized subtype in colorectal cancer. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence, implications and impact on survival of MPC in colorectal cancer in an Australian cohort. A retrospective review of all colorectal cancer resections in two tertiary centres in Sydney Australia was performed, between 2019 and 2024. MPC was identified on histolopathology as per standard guidelines of the resected specimens. Variables collected included age, sex, TNM, site, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), and lymph node involvement. Of 597 colorectal cancer resections during the study period, 21 cases of MPC were identified (3.5%). Mean age was 60 years (SD 15 years). Twenty patients (95%) had T3-T4 tumours, 19 (90%) had positive lymph node involvement, 18 (86%) had confirmed or suspected LVI, and 4 (19%) had distant metastatic disease. Overall 1-year survival was 90% and 3-year survival was 76%. MPC is associated with high risk features in colorectal adenocarcinoma. Accurate histopathological diagnosis of these more aggressive cancers should guide prognostication, individualized adjuvant treatment and close surveillance.

Role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced and clinically positive nodes Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma treated with Nephroureterectomy: real-world data from the ROBUUST 2.0 Registry.

To assess the impact of neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy on survival outcomes, within a large multicenter cohort of Upper tract urothelial carcinoma patients treated with Nephroureterectomy. A multicenter retrospective analysis utilizing the Robotic surgery for Upper Tract Urothelial Cancer Study registry was performed. Baseline, preoperative, perioperative, and pathologic variables of three groups of patients receiving surgery only, neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy were compared. Categorical and continuous variables among the three subgroups were compared with Chi square and ANOVA tests. The impact of perioperative chemotherapy on survival outcomes was assessed with the Kaplan Meier method. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of survival. Overall, 1,994 patients were included. Overall and Clavien grade ≥3 complications rates were comparable among the three subgroups (p = 0.65 and p = 0.92). At Kaplan Meier analysis, neoadjuvant chemotherapy significantly improved cancer-specific survival (p = 0.03) and overall survival (p = 0.03) probabilities of patients with cT ≥ 3 tumors and of those with positive cN (p = 0.03 and p = 0.02). On multivariable analysis, neoadjuvant chemotherapy was independently associated with an improvement of cancer-specific survival in cT ≥ 3 patients (HR 0.44; p = 0.04), and of both cancer-specific survival (HR 0.50; p = 0.03) and overall survival (HR 0.53; p = 0.02) probabilities in positive cN patients. This large multicenter retrospective analysis suggests significant survival benefit in Upper tract urothelial carcinoma patients with either locally advanced or clinically positive nodes disease receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy. These findings can be regarded as "hypothesis generating", stimulating future trials focusing on such advanced stages.

Comparison of the predictive value of multiparametric MRI and prostate-specific membrane antigen PET/CT for pelvic lymph node metastasis in prostate cancer

Objective: To compare the diagnostic performance of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) and prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET/CT in detecting pelvic lymph node metastasis in prostate cancer. Methods: This is a retrospective case series study. A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of 115 prostate cancer patients who underwent both mpMRI and PSMA PET/CT before undergoing radical prostatectomy and extended pelvic lymph node dissection at the Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, between March 2020 and September 2023. The age (M(IQR)) was 67(10) years (range: 45 to 84 years), and the body mass index was 24(4) kg/m2 (range: 18 to 30 kg/m2). Pathological and imaging data were obtained from the patients. Lymph node pathology results were used as the gold standard to evaluate the diagnostic performance of mpMRI and PSMA PET/CT for detecting pelvic lymph node metastasis in PCa through diagnostic evaluation tests. Comparisons between groups were performed using independent samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, or χ2 test. Results: The positive rate for detecting pelvic lymph node metastasis was 18.3% (21/115) with mpMRI and 25.2% (29/115) with PSMA PET/CT. The pathological positive rate for lymph nodes was 28.7% (33/115). In patient-based analysis, the diagnostic sensitivity of PSMA PET/CT was significantly higher than that of mpMRI (63.6% vs. 30.3%, χ2=7.36, P=0.007). In lesion-based analysis, both the sensitivity and positive predictive value of PSMA PET/CT were significantly higher than those of mpMRI (sensitivity: 68.0% vs. 21.6%, χ2=42.20, P<0.01; positive predictive value: 50.0% vs. 23.1%, χ2=7.54, P=0.006). Conclusions: PSMA PET/CT and mpMRI both demonstrates good specificity in predicting pelvic lymph node metastasis in prostate cancer. However, PSMA PET/CT is significantly superior to mpMRI in terms of sensitivity and the detection rate of pathologically positive lymph nodes.