Sentinel Lymph Node Positivity Rate Research Articles

Tubular Carcinoma of the Breast: The Possibility to Omit Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy.

Tubular breast carcinoma, classified as a special type of invasive cancer, has a good prognosis. This study aimed to retrospectively investigate the clinical and pathological characteristics of 32 tubular carcinoma cases enrolled at our institution, with a focus on exploring the potential for treatment de-escalation. The study included all patients diagnosed with tubular breast carcinoma at our hospital between January 2005 and December 2021. In addition, 549 patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and 1,524 patients with stage I and II invasive cancers [not otherwise specified (NOS)] were selected for comparison. All participants were female, with an average age of 54.4 years. The median follow-up duration was 64 months. The median tumor diameter was 7 mm, and all cases were Luminal A type. Moreover, no lymph vascular invasion was observed in any case, and no local recurrence, distant metastasis, or death occurred. The sentinel lymph node positive rate was 0% in the tubular carcinoma group, significantly lower than that in the NOS group (25.5%, p=0.0019) and not significantly different from that in the DCIS group (0.2%). The tubular carcinoma group tended to have better overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) than the NOS group. Furthermore, the tubular carcinoma group was not inferior in OS and DFS compared to the DCIS group. Lymph node metastasis rate, OS, and DFS of the tubular carcinoma group are comparable to those of the DCIS group. Sentinel lymph node biopsy for tubular carcinoma can be omitted with an accurate preoperative diagnosis.

Impact of an Online Risk Calculator for Sentinel Node Positivity on Management of Patients with T1 and T2 Melanomas

BackgroundPredicting which patients with American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) T1–T2 melanomas will have a positive sentinel lymph node (SLN) is challenging. Melanoma Institute Australia (MIA) developed an internationally validated SLN metastatic risk calculator. This study evaluated the nomogram’s impact on T1–T2 melanoma patient management at MIA.MethodsSLN biopsy (SLNB) rates were compared for the pre- and post-nomogram periods of 1 July 2018–30 June 2019 and 1 August 2020–31 July 2021, respectively.ResultsOverall, 850 patients were identified (pre-nomogram, 383; post-nomogram, 467). SLNB was performed in 29.0% of patients in the pre-nomogram group and 34.5% in the post-nomogram group (p = 0.091). The overall positivity rate was 16.2% in the pre-nomogram group and 14.9% in the post-nomogram group (p = 0.223). SLNB was performed less frequently in T1a melanoma patients in the pre-nomogram group (1.1%, n = 2/177) than in the post-nomogram group (8.6%, n = 17/198) [p ≤ 0.001]. This increase was particularly for melanomas with a risk score ≥ 5%, with an SLN positivity rate of 11.8% in the post-nomogram group (p = 0.004) compared with zero. For T1b melanomas with a risk score of > 10%, the SLNB rate was 40.0% (8/20) pre-nomogram and 75.0% (12/16) post-nomogram (p = 0.049).ConclusionsIn this specialized center, the SLN risk calculator appears to influence practice for melanomas previously considered low risk for metastasis, with increased use of SLNB for T1a and higher-risk T1b melanomas. Further evaluation is required across broader practice settings. Melanoma management guidelines could be updated to incorporate the availability of nomograms to better select patients for SLNB than previous criteria.

Is sentinel lymph node biopsy needed for lentigo maligna melanoma?

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is an area of debate in the management of lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM). The utility of SLNB and its prognostic value in LMM have not yet been studied with large databases. We performed a retrospective review of the National Cancer Database (2012-2020) and the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (2010-2019) database for patients with cutaneous nonmetastatic LMM with Breslow thickness >1.0 mm. Multivariable logistic regression identified factors associated with SLNB performance and sentinel lymph node (SLN) positivity. Univariable and multivariable analyses assessed overall survival (OS) and melanoma-specific survival (MSS) based on SLNB performance and SLN status. Compared to other melanoma subtypes, LMM had lower rates of SLNB (66.6% vs. 80.0%-84.0%) and SLN positivity (11.3% vs. 18.6%-34.2%). Compared to patients who did not undergo SLNB, SLN status was significantly associated with improved OS in patients with SLN positive (HR = 0.64 [0.55-0.76]) and SLN negative (HR = 0.68 [0.49-0.94]), and worse MSS only in patients with positive SLN (HR = 3.93, p < 0.05). The improved OS associated with SLNB likely implies surgical selection bias. Analysis of MSS confirms appropriate patient selection and suggests important prognostic value associated with SLN status. These results support continued SLNB for LMM patients according to standard guidelines.

The importance of mitosis ≥2 in selecting patients with T1 cutaneous melanomas for sentinel lymph node biopsy.

The 8th Edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Staging Manual removed the mitotic rate (MR) as a staging criterion for T1 melanomas, thus leading to a debate on sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in thin melanomas. This study investigates whether MR plays a role in selecting patients with T1 melanoma for SLNB. We analyzed clinical and histological data from the Florence Melanoma & Skin Cancer Unit database for 313 patients with a single thin melanoma who had undergone SLNB. We determined sentinel lymph node (SLN) positivity percentages in T1 melanomas according to the AJCC 8th Edition focusing on MR. Of the 313 T1 patients, 108 had MR = 0, 127 had MR = 1 and 78 had MR ≥2. The overall SLN positivity rate was 8.6%, (5.6% with MR = 0, 6.3% with MR = 1 and 16.7% with MR ≥2). The SLNB positivity rate in T1b melanomas was 12.1%, (8.5% with MR = 0, 5.7% with MR = 1 and 24.4% with MR ≥2), whereas in T1a melanomas it was 5.8%, (3.3% with MR = 0, 6.8% with MR = 1 and 8.1% with MR ≥2). In a logistic regression analysis, MR ≥2 had an odds ratio of almost three in comparison with MR = 0/1 also adjusting for thickness. Thus, MR ≥2 significantly predicted SLN metastases in T1 melanomas. Of those patients with positive SLN, 37% were classified as T1a according to the AJCC 8th edition. These findings underline the importance of MR ≥2 in selecting patients with T1 cutaneous melanomas for SLNB.

Abstract P1-01-06: Predictor of sentinel node positivity in screen-detected invasive breast cancer

Abstract Introduction: Sentinel lymph node biopsy represents the standard of care for staging axilla in breast cancer patients who are clinically node negative. ACOSOG Z11 trial results questioned the importance of low burden nodal disease. Results from the SOUND trial on omission of axillary surgery in selected patients with early stage breast cancer are still awaited. Breast screening programs aim to detect cancers at an early stage and are expected to have low burden of nodal disease. The aim of our study was to determine predictors of sentinel node biopsy positivity in invasive breast cancers detected on screening mammography. Methods: This retrospective study included patients with node negative invasive breast cancer detected on screening mammogram performed between April 2018 and March 2020 and subsequently underwent curative surgery including sentinel node biopsy at breast care unit of Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham, U.K. We looked at patient’s clinical, radiological and pre-operative pathological features and correlated them with histological results of sentinel node biopsy. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using SPSS version 22 and p-value of 0.05 was considered significant. Results: We identified 304 patients who met inclusion criteria. The mean age of these patients was 62.71 ± 7.2 years (range 47-78 years). Majority (88%) of women were postmenopausal. Overall, the sentinel node positivity rate was 11.76%. Women over the age of 55 years were less likely to be node positive compared to younger women (9.9% vs 22%, p=0.016). Tumours less than 10mm in size had node positive rate of 5.5% compared to tumour larger than 21mm (25%, p = 0.000). In comparison to grade 2and grade 3 tumours, grade 1 tumours had lower node positivity rate, (5% vs 14.4%) but the difference did not reach statistical significance (p= 0.073). All women with tubular and mucinous histological subtypes (n=13) were node negative. All women with grade 1 tumours less than 10mm in size (n=48) had a negative sentinel node biopsy compared to women with grade 2 tumors more than 20mm (9/32=28% positivity rate) and p-value of 0.000. There was no association between oestrogen, progesterone and HER2 receptor status with sentinel lymph node positivity rate. Conclusion: In selected screen detected patients including those above the age of 55 years, having grade 1 cancer, and less than 10 mm size on pre-treatment imaging, there might be scope for omission of axillary surgery. Citation Format: Raouef Ahmed Bichoo, Mohammed Bilal Elahi, Dorin Dumitru, Naila Bint Ihsan, Eiman Khalifa, Masuma Sarker, Tapan K Mahapatra, Brendan Paul Wooler, Peter Kneeshaw, Kartikae Grover. Predictor of sentinel node positivity in screen-detected invasive breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2021 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2021 Dec 7-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-01-06.

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Positivity in Patients With Acral Lentiginous and Other Subtypes of Cutaneous Melanoma

Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) is a rare subtype of malignant melanoma typically occurring on the palmar and plantar surfaces. Although it has distinctive genetic, prognostic, and behavioral characteristics relative to cutaneous melanomas overall, owing to its rarity, treatment is largely guided by data extrapolated from more common subtypes. Although sentinel lymph node (SLN) status has been shown to be a significant prognostic factor for ALM, the independent effect of ALM-subtype disease on the likelihood of SLN positivity and the stage-specific positivity rates for ALM are not well characterized. To evaluate the association of ALM with SLN status as well as to characterize the clinical stage-specific rates of SLN positivity for ALM based on the AJCC Cancer Staging Manual, 8th edition (AJCC-8). The National Cancer Database (NCDB) includes all reportable cases from Commission on Cancer accredited facilities and represents approximately 50% of all newly diagnosed melanoma cases in the US. This retrospective cohort study included cases of AJCC-8 clinical stage I to II melanomas from the NCDB diagnosed from 2012 to 2015. The analysis took place between April 2021 and September 2021. Melanoma histopathologic subtype. Sentinel lymph node status. We identified 60 148 patients with malignant melanomas, 959 of whom had ALM-subtype disease. Among patients in the cohort, 25 550 (42.5%) were women and the mean (SD) age was 64 (16) years. Multivariable logistic regression controlling for demographic and histopathologic characteristics revealed that ALM was independently associated with the highest risk for SLN positivity among included subtypes (vs superficial spreading melanoma: odds ratio, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.59-2.28). Subgroup analysis by AJCC clinical stage demonstrated that ALM was independently associated with the highest risk for SLN positivity for both stage IB and II disease. The rate of SLN positivity for patients with stage IB and II ALM was 18.39% (95% CI, 13.82%-24.03%) and 39.53% (34.98%-44.26%), respectively. In this cohort study ALM was independently associated with SLN positivity and had relatively high positivity rates at clinical stage IB and II. This suggests that SLNB should be encouraged for all patients with clinical stage IB and II ALM, and such patients should receive appropriate counseling about the higher regional metastatic risk of their cancers. Future work with a larger cohort is required to elucidate the risk of SLN positivity for stage IA ALM.

Integrating 31-Gene Expression Profiling With Clinicopathologic Features to Optimize Cutaneous Melanoma Sentinel Lymph Node Metastasis Prediction.

PURPOSENational guidelines recommend sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) be offered to patients with > 10% likelihood of sentinel lymph node (SLN) positivity. On the other hand, guidelines do not recommend SLNB for patients with T1a tumors without high-risk features who have < 5% likelihood of a positive SLN. However, the decision to perform SLNB is less certain for patients with higher-risk T1 melanomas in which a positive node is expected 5%-10% of the time. We hypothesized that integrating clinicopathologic features with the 31-gene expression profile (31-GEP) score using advanced artificial intelligence techniques would provide more precise SLN risk prediction.METHODSAn integrated 31-GEP (i31-GEP) neural network algorithm incorporating clinicopathologic features with the continuous 31-GEP score was developed using a previously reported patient cohort (n = 1,398) and validated using an independent cohort (n = 1,674).RESULTSCompared with other covariates in the i31-GEP, the continuous 31-GEP score had the largest likelihood ratio (G2 = 91.3, P < .001) for predicting SLN positivity. The i31-GEP demonstrated high concordance between predicted and observed SLN positivity rates (linear regression slope = 0.999). The i31-GEP increased the percentage of patients with T1-T4 tumors predicted to have < 5% SLN-positive likelihood from 8.5% to 27.7% with a negative predictive value of 98%. Importantly, for patients with T1 tumors originally classified with a likelihood of SLN positivity of 5%-10%, the i31-GEP reclassified 63% of cases as having < 5% or > 10% likelihood of positive SLN, for a more precise, personalized, and clinically actionable SLN-positive likelihood estimate.CONCLUSIONThese data suggest the i31-GEP could reduce the number of SLNBs performed by identifying patients with likelihood under the 5% threshold for performance of SLNB and improve the yield of positive SLNBs by identifying patients more likely to have a positive SLNB.

Sentinel node occult lesion localization technique for impalpable breast cancer.

Mammographic screening has enabled earlier detection of breast cancer, with 25-35% of malignancies being non-palpable at diagnosis. Accurate removal and sentinel node biopsy for staging these lesions are crucial to successful management. Both these aspects are achieved by peritumoural localization with radioisotope and lymphoscintigraphy for sentinel lymph node (SN) mapping using the sentinel node and occult lesion localization (SNOLL) technique. This study reports SNOLL outcomes in a large cohort of women with non-palpable breast cancers to assess its performance and promote its logistic advantages. This retrospective cohort study used data from BreastSurgANZ Quality Audit supplemented with private case notes. Inclusion criteria were females >18 years, with invasive breast cancer that was asymptomatic and non-palpable at presentation, who underwent SNOLL (n = 450). Primary outcomes were proportion of successful lesion localization, proportion of patients requiring re-excision and volume of tissue excised. Secondary outcomes focused on lymphoscintigraphy success rate in detecting sentinel nodes and SN positivity rates. Tumours were successfully removed with the initial SNOLL procedure in 449 cases (99.8%). The re-excision rate was 15.1% (n = 68). The mean total excision volume was 54.69 cm3 (95% CI 51.49-57.88 cm3 ; range 2.75-195.33 cm3 ), with a mean closest circumferential margin of 7.05 mm (95% CI 6.60-7.49 mm; range 0 to ≥10 mm). Lymphoscintigraphy was successful in 96.9% (n = 436) of cases. Sentinel nodes were successfully identified and removed in 99.6% (n = 448) of cases. SN positivity rate was 18.4%. SNOLL is an efficient and effective technique for localizing non-palpable invasive breast lesions while simultaneously identifying sentinel nodes.

Relationship of patient age to tumor factors and outcomes among patients undergoing sentinel node biopsy for melanoma

IntroductionPatient age has been intermittently associated with demographics and outcomes in cutaneous melanoma. We looked at the association of age and patient demographics, tumor features, and melanoma-related outcomes in patients undergoing sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy for melanoma. MethodsWe reviewed demographics (age, gender), tumor features (mean Breslow thickness, ulceration, SLN positivity rates), and outcomes (all-site relapse, progression to stage IV, death from melanoma, complications) from a university-based prospective database of 1633 patients. Patients were grouped by decade of age and the impact of age was examined by univariable and multivariable analyses. ResultsIncreasing age was directly associated with number of patients referred for SLN biopsy, male gender, head and neck (H&N) tumor location, mean Breslow thickness, tumor ulceration, and with all –site relapse, progression to stage IV, death from melanoma and complication rates. Increasing age was indirectly associated with SLN positivity rates. Comparing ages <30 with ages >60, these trends reached statistical significance for male gender, H&N location, SLN positivity, all-site relapse, progression to stage IV (development of metastases) and death from melanoma. ConclusionsReferrals for SLN biopsy increase with increasing patient age, yet increasing age is associated with lower SLN positivity rates. This occurs despite the fact that older patients have thicker, more ulcerated tumors, and higher melanoma-related relapse and death rates.

Abstract P4-02-13: Comparison of lymph node ultrasound and pathological characteristics of breast cancer patients with positive and negative sentinel lymph node

Abstract Background: Few data exist to elucidate sentinel lymph node (SLN) status in breast cancer patients who have a suspicious axillary lymph node (ALN) at ultrasound but a negative clinical physical examination. This study compared various ALN statuses in the breast cancer patients who have a suspicious axillary lymph node (ALN) at ultrasound but a negative clinical physical examination to guide further ALN management. Methods: From Jan 1st 2014 to Jan 1st 2019 in PUMCH (Peking Union Medical College &amp; Hospital), breast cancer patients who had a suspicious axillary lymph node (ALN) at ultrasound but a negative clinical physical examination and treated with sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy were retrospectively analyzed. The SLN status, and SLN positive rate in the entire population were analyzed. Lymph node ultrasound and pathological characteristics were compared between patients with positive SLNs and negative SLNs. Results: A total of 483 breast cancer patients (365 SLN negative and 118 SLN positive) were eligible for the final analysis, the SLN positive rate in the enrolled entire population was 32.33%, while in DCIS (Ductal carcinoma in situ) subgroup the SLN positive rate was 12.26%. The patients’ lymph node ultrasound and basic clinical pathological characteristics are listed in table 1. The histology type (P = 0.000), ultrasound lymph node shape (P = 0.000), ultrasound lymph node CMD (corticomedullary demarcation) (P = 0.000), ultrasound lymph node blood flow (P = 0.034) and PR status (P=0.004) had statistical significance between the positive SLNs group and negative SLNs group. Conclusions: 1/3 patients with a suspicious ALN at ultrasound but a negative clinical physical examination had ALN metastasis. IDC, PR positive, ultrasound LN with irregular shape, unclear CMD and blood flow are more likely to have positive SLN. Table 1. Lymph node ultrasound and basic clinical pathological characteristics between SLN negative and positive groupSLN negativeSLN positiveP valuen=365n=118Age(Year)50.14±11.6848.19±10.420.088Histology Type0.000DCIS10613IDC259105Ki67(%)30.69±24.3131.02±23.260.898Ultra-LN Size (cm)1.42±0.691.30±0.730.111Ultra-LN Shape0.000regular359108irregular610Ultra-LN CMD0.000clear32690unclear3928Ultra-LN Blood0.034presence21155absence15463T stage0.071I22779II13133III76ER0.141positive26694negative9924PR0.004positive23292negative13326Her20.067positive10925negative25693Abbreviation:DCIS (Ductal carcinoma in situ); IDC (Invasive ductal carcinoma); Ultra-LN (Ultrasound of lymph node); Ultra-LN CMD (Corticomedullary demarcation in lymph node ultrasound); Ultra-LN Blood (Blood flow in lymph node ultrasound). Citation Format: Xuefei Wang, Shafei Wu, Guochao Zhang, Jiaxin Li, Jianhua Du, Yidong Zhou, Feng Mao, Yan Lin, Songjie Shen, Xiaohui Zhang, Qiang Sun. Comparison of lymph node ultrasound and pathological characteristics of breast cancer patients with positive and negative sentinel lymph node [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2019 Dec 10-14; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-02-13.

Guidance of sentinel lymph node biopsy decisions in patients with T1-T2 melanoma using gene expression profiling.

Can gene expression profiling be used to identify patients with T1-T2 melanoma at low risk for sentinel lymph node (SLN) positivity? Bioinformatics modeling determined a population in which a 31-gene expression profile test predicted <5% SLN positivity. Multicenter, prospectively-tested (n=1421) and retrospective (n=690) cohorts were used for validation and outcomes, respectively. Patients 55-64years and ≥65years with a class 1A (low-risk) profile had SLN positivity rates of 4.9%and 1.6%. Class 2B (high-risk) patients had SLN positivity rates of 30.8% and 11.9%. Melanoma-specific survival was 99.3% for patients ≥55years with class 1A, T1-T2 tumors and 55.0% for class 2B, SLN-positive, T1-T2 tumors. The 31-gene expression profile test identifies patients who could potentially avoid SLN biopsy.

Assessment of hospital-level adjusted breast cancer sentinel lymph node positivity rates.

Proficiency of performing sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) for breast cancer varies among hospitals and may be reflected in the hospital's SLNB positivity rate. Our objectives were to examine whether hospital characteristics are associated with variation in SLNB positivity rates and whether hospitals with lower-than-expected SLNB positivity rates have worse patient survival. Using the National Cancer Data Base, stage I to III breast cancer patients were identified (2004-2012). Hospital-level SLNB positivity rates were adjusted for tumor and patient factors. Hospitals were divided into terciles of SLNB positivity rates (lower-, higher-, as-expected). Hospital characteristics and survival were examined across terciles. Of 438 610 SLNB patients (from 1357 hospitals), 78 104 had one or more positive SLN (21.3%). Hospitals in the low and high terciles were more likely to be low volume (low: RRR, 4.40; 95% CI, 2.89-6.57; P < 0.001; and high: RRR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.21-2.64; P < 0.001) compared to hospitals with as-expected (middle tercile) SLNB positivity rates. Stage I patients at low- and high-tercile hospitals had statistically worse survival. There is a wide variation in hospital SLNB positivity rates. Hospitals with lower- or higher-than-expected SLNB positivity rates were associated with survival differences. Hospital SLNB positivity rates may be a novel 'process measure' to report to hospitals for internal quality assessment.

Microsatellitosis in Patients with Melanoma.

Microsatellitosis (mS) in melanoma has been considered a marker of unfavorable tumor biology, leading to the current American Joint Committee on Cancer staging of IIIB/C/D disease, despite few investigative studies of this entity limited by the small sample sizes and incomplete nodal microstaging. We sought to better characterize outcomes and prognostic factors in a multi-institutional cohort of patients with mS and nodal microstaging. The Sentinel Lymph Node Working Group cohort included 414 mS patients who underwent sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy. Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate the prognostic significance of established clinicopathologic characteristics. Melanoma-specific survival (MSS) of patients with mS was compared with 3002 similarly staged patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program registry. The median age of the mS cohort was 64.9years; 39.6% were female. Median thickness was 3mm, 40.6% of cases were ulcerated, and the SLN positivity rate was 46.7%. Increasing thickness, male sex, and SLN positivity were significantly associated with poorer MSS. Stage IIIB/C/D 5-year MSS rates were 86.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 79.4-93.3%), 54.1% (95% CI 45.4-59.7%), and 44.2% (95% CI 25.4-63.0%), respectively. MSS survival for the stage IIIB mS cohort was significantly better than a similarly staged SEER cohort (5-year MSS of 70.1%, 95% CI 66.0-74.2%), while no significant difference was observed for the stage IIIC or D cohorts. SLN metastases are common and are a significant prognostic factor in patients with mS. Survival in stage IIIB patients with mS was considerably more favorable than their stage would otherwise suggest, which has important implications for decisions regarding adjuvant therapy for patients with mS.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with thin melanomas: Frequency and predictors of metastasis based on analysis of two large international cohorts.

Sentinel lymph node (SLN) metastasis in patients with thin melanomas (≤1 mm) is uncommon but adverse prognostic factors may indicate an increased risk. We sought to determine how often SLN biopsy (SLNB) was performed in patients with thin melanomas, establish the frequency of SLN metastasis and evaluate the predictive value of ulceration, tumor mitotic rate, and thickness for SLN involvement. Melanoma patients with a Breslow thicknessgreater than or equal to 0.5 to less than or equal to 1 mm, diagnosed 2009-2016, were identified in the Swedish Melanoma Register (SMR) and the Melanoma Institute Australia (MIA) Database. In total 8165 patients were included from the SMR and 1603 from MIA. SLNB was performed in 9.5% and 16.2% of patients, respectively. Corresponding figures for T1b (American Joint Committee on Cancer [AJCC] 7th Edition) were 19.5% and 24.6%. The SLN positivity rate were 4.4% (Sweden) and 5.8% (MIA). SLN metastasis was more frequent in tumors with ulceration, mitoses, and Breslow thickness greater than or equal to 0.9 mm but none were statistically significant. Younger age was identified as a significant risk factor for SLN positivity at MIA. A minority of patients with thin melanomas had SLNB performed and the SLN positivity rate was low. This study did not confirm tumor ulceration, mitoses, or thickness as statistically significant predictors for SLN metastasis.

High Risk Factors and Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Analysis of Prevalence and Recurrence

\n Objective: Early diagnosis of cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (CSCC) is the most important factor affecting prognosis and most patients have a good prognosis. Some patients defined as high-risk group have high rates of regional recurrence and distant metastasis, and follow an aggressive course. In addition, recently numerous studies have being performed for determining the importance of sentinel lymph node sampling, and sentinel lymph node (SLN) positivity has been associated with a poor prognosis. In this study, we aimed to determine prognostic importance of SLN outcomes in patients with high-risk patients diagnosed with CSCC.\n\n Patients & Methods: A total of 29 patients who underwent excisional operation in various body regions with the diagnosis of CSCC between 2009 and 2017, with available complete clinical and pathologic data were included in the study. At least 9-month clinical follow-up results, high risk factors and sentinel lymph node biopsy outcomes of the patients were recorded and analyzed. Patients with at least one of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) criteria were considered as high-risk group.\n\n Results: Twenty-five of the 29 CSCC patients were in the high-risk group. SLN positivity rate was 12% (n: 3/25) in the high-risk CSCC patients, all patients in the low-risk group had negative SLNs. All patients with SLN positive underwent local complementary lymphadenectomy, and all of these patients were re-operated due to recurrence. The rate of recurrence was found as 100% (n= 3/3) in high-risk CSCC patients with positive SLN, and 18% (n= 4/22) in high-risk CSCC patients with negative SLN. High recurrence rates (41.6%) and SLN positivity were observed in patients with hand-foot localizations.\n\n Conclusion: High rates of local recurrence may be seen during progression of the disease in SLN positive patients. Hand-foot localization of CSCCs can be considered as a high risk factor regardless of a tumor diameter should be above 0.6 cm.\n

Relationship between age and likelihood of lymph node metastases in patients with intermediate thickness melanoma (1.01-4.00 mm): A National Cancer Database study

There is large variability in the risk of sentinel lymph node (SLN) positivity among patients with intermediate thickness melanoma (ITM), with a subgroup of patients exhibiting a low risk of nodal disease. To identify a group of patients with ITM for whom the risk of nodal disease is low. A retrospective cohort of patients with ITM who underwent wide excision and nodal evaluation from 2010 to 2013 was identified by using the National Cancer Database and analyzed for the presence of nodal disease. Classification and regression tree analysis identified the most important factors used in a model to identify groups at low risk of SLN positivity. Of 23,440 patients, 14.7% were found to have nodal metastasis. On classification and regression tree analysis, patients older than 55years without lymphovascular invasion and with a lesion thickness less than 1.7mm had an SLN positivity rate of 4.9%. A model using age and thickness in nonulcerated patients identified a low-risk subgroup with a corresponding SLN positivity rate of 4.7%. This was a retrospective study, and the model developed requires prospective validation. Patient age is an important factor in estimating risk of SLN in patients with ITM and may help identify patients without ulceration who may be safely spared an SLN biopsy.

Surgeon-associated variation in breast cancer staging with sentinel node biopsy

BackgroundSentinel lymph node biopsy is the gold standard for axillary staging in early-stage, clinically node-negative breast cancer, so it is paramount that this operation be both precise and accurate, because excessive sentinel lymph node removal increases morbidity, whereas understaging risks inadequate treatment. The goal of this study was to assess surgeon variation in the number of sentinel lymph nodes removed and the oncologic yield of sentinel lymph node biopsy for breast cancer. MethodsAll patients in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results–Medicare database who underwent operative treatment for breast cancer from 2007–2011 were eligible for inclusion. Deidentified provider codes were used to track operations performed by individual surgeons. Only records in which an individual surgeon could be linked to a specific breast cancer operation were analyzed. The total number of sentinel lymph nodes removed and the number that were pathologically positive (oncologic yield) were recorded. Surgeon variation by T stage was analyzed using linear mixed-effects regression and logistic mixed-effects regression models. ResultsQuery of the database identified 15,571 patients who met inclusion criteria, representing 2,478 providers. The mean number of sentinel lymph node procedures performed per provider per year was 1.3 (range 1–103). The lowest quartile of providers performed 1 or fewer sentinel lymph node procedures per year. The highest quartile of providers performed >8 sentinel lymph node procedures per year.The average number of sentinel lymph node removed per operation increased with increasing T stage for all providers (P < .001), including when N0 (P < .001) and node-positive (P = .003) patients were evaluated separately. There was surgeon-associated variation in the number of sentinel lymph node removed for each T stage (P < .001). In addition, there was surgeon-associated variation in the oncologic yield (sentinel lymph node positivity rate) by T stage (P < .001). ConclusionThis study found surgeon-associated variation in axillary sentinel lymph node staging of breast cancer patients, which suggests the need to improve standardization of surgical practices to optimize the oncologic yield of these procedures and ensure accurate staging.

Time to Procedure, Nuclear Imaging and Clinicopathological Characteristics as Predictive Factors for Sentinel Lymph Node Metastasis in Cutaneous Melanoma: A Single-Center Analysis.

Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is a widely accepted staging procedure for cutaneous melanoma patients who are at risk of clinically occult nodal metastases. Numerous predictive factors for regional lymph node metastases have been identified; however, few have been found to be reproducibly significant. Also, the role of blue dye in identification was questioned in recent trials. Time to procedure was also found to be predictive of SLN positivity, but this was not confirmed in other studies. In our study, predictive factors for metastatic involvement of SLN were analyzed, together with the role of addition blue dye in imaging on detection rate and false-negative SLN rate. An impact of time interval to procedure on the rate of SLN positivity was also explored. Data analysis was done in 362 cutaneous melanoma patients who underwent lymphoscintigraphy and SLN biopsy at our institution from 2010 to 2016, with a median follow-up of 29 months (1-98 months). To delineate the relation of each variable (demographical, time to procedure, and clinical and pathological variables, as well as the presence of in-transit nodes, the number of draining basins, and SLN localization on scintigraphy) with positive SLN status, we used univariate logistic regression with odds ratios representing effect size. Metastatic involvement SLN was found in 67 (18.8%) of 356 patients. Detection rate was similar with or without further intraoperative SLN identification with blue dye (98.8% vs 98.17%, P > 0.05). Time to procedure was not associated with higher SLN positivity rate (P > 0.05). In univariate analysis, Breslow thickness (P < 0.001), primary ulceration lesion (P = 0.001), and lymphovascular invasion (P = 0.006) were strongly correlated with SLN positivity, as well as the site of primary tumor (P = 0.024), tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) (P = 0.021), and sex (P = 0.026). In multivariate analysis, Breslow thickness and TILs were found to be significant independent predictors of SLN status (P < 0.05). Addition of blue dye did not improve SLN detection rate; time to procedure was not found to be associated with higher SLN biopsy positivity rates. Breslow thickness and TILs, as a marker of immune response to tumor, were consistently found to be significant independent predictors of SLN status.

Influence of immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy on postoperative survival

To compare over survival(OS),recurrence free survival(RFS) of 5 years and survival quality between patients with immediate breast reconstruction and patients without breast reconstruction after mastectomy. From January 2009 to December 2010,156 patients were diagnosed as breast cancer. Among them,56 patients, aged 30-55 years old, were treated with mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction as rec onstruction group.100 patients, aged 30-55 years old, were treated with mastectomy without breast reconstruction as control group. The last follow-up time was June 2015.Patients' age, pathological type, clinical stage, lymph node metastasis were analyzed retrospectively. RFS and OS of 5 years and survival was compared by Kaplan Meier method. Survival quality of 1 year and 2 years after operation was compared between them. Pathologic classification, clinical staging, sentinel lymph node positive rate, axillary lymph node positive rate and triple negative breast cancer had no difference between two groups(P ＞0.05).The median follow-up time was 56.3±13.7 (23-78) and 57.9 ± 14.1(27-78) months in the reconstruction group and control group respectively at end of the June of 2015.RFS 5 years was 75.2％ and 63.3％ respectively in the reconstruction group and control group, showing significant difference between them (P < 0.05).OS 5 years was 81.7％ and 83.3％ respectively in the reconstruction group and control group, with no statistical difference (P ＞ 0.05).Five aspects of physiological status, social/family status, emotion, functional status,additional focus in the reconstruction group 1 year postoperative were higher than those in control group (P ＜ 0.05).Physiology, social/family situation, emotion, functional status of the reconstruction group 2 years after operation were higher than that in control group (P ＜ 0.05).Scores of physiologic al status, social/family status, emotion, functional status and addition of 2 years in the reconstruction group were higher than those in 1 year after operation, with significant difference (P ＜ 0.05).The score improvement in control group was not obvious. Immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy of breast improve the survival quality and postoperative RFS, but has no obvious effect on overall survival.

Usefulness of sentinel lymph node biopsy for prognostic prediction in extramammary Paget's disease.

Complete excision of the primary lesion has long been considered the standard treatment for extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD). However, the presence of lymph node metastases has been reported as an important prognostic factor. We evaluated the association between lymph node metastasis and prognosis for EMPD using sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy. This retrospective study included 59 patients with histopathologically-confirmed primary EMPD. A total of 45 patients with microinvasion to the papillary dermis and deep invasion into the reticular dermis or subcutaneous tissue were included in the analysis. The survival curves of the SLN-negative group and the SLN-positive group were compared and we examined the risk factors for SLN positivity. A total of 139 SLNs were excised from one (28 patients) or both inguinal regions (31 patients). The average number of detected SLNs was 2.4. The incidence of SLN metastases was 16.9%. SLN positivity rates according to level of invasion were 0% for intraepithelial lesions, 4.1% for microinvasion, and 42.8% for dermal invasion. The five-year survival rates were 100% in the SLN-negative and 24% in the SLN-positive groups (p=0.0001). Reticular dermis or subcutaneous tissue invasion was a significant independent risk factor for SLN positivity according to multivariate analysis. The result of SLN biopsy affected prognosis. It is extremely important to accurately ascertain the presence, i.e. the number, or absence of regional lymph node metastases in patients with EMPD. We conclude that SLN biopsy may be appropriate for cases where invasion is suspected.