Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Group Research Articles

A single-center retrospective study on axillary evaluation in 1 557 breast ductal carcinoma in situ patients between 2006 and 2016

Objectives: To examine the influence factors on axillary evaluation in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) patients, and the prognosis of different choices of axillary evaluation in a single-center retrospective study. Methods: Totally 1 557 DCIS patients admitted in Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center from January 2006 to November 2016 were retrospectively enrolled. All patients were female. The median age was 49 years (range: 21 to 85 years). Surgical methods included modified radical mastectomy, simple mastectomy (with or without axillary evaluation) and breast conservation surgery (with or without axillary evaluation). Axillary evaluation included axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) and sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). T tests, χ(2) test and Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze influence factors on axillary evaluation, respectively. Kaplan-Meier curve and Log-rank analysis were used to evaluate recurrence-free survival (RFS) and loco-regional recurrence-free survival (LRRFS) in patients with different surgical methods. Results: Among the 1 557 DCIS patients, there were 1 226 cases received axillary evaluation, while 331 cases not received axillary evaluation. Patients were separated into 3 groups by different axillary evaluation choices: SLNB group (957 cases, 61.46%), ALND group (197 cases, 12.65%) and no evaluation group (403 cases, 25.88%). The patients in SLNB group increased significantly (P=0.000), from 3.85% (60/1 557) in 2006 to 75.19% (1 170/1 557) in 2016. The independent influence factors of receiving axillary evaluation were high nuclear grade (OR=3.191, 95%CI: 1.722 to 5.912, P=0.001) and tumor size>15 mm (OR=1.698, 95%CI: 1.120 to 2.573, P=0.012). Also, patients received breast conservation surgery were more likely to refuse axillary evaluation (OR=0.155, 95%CI: 0.103 to 0.233, P=0.000). There were no significant differences in RFS and LRRFS in patients with different axillary evaluation choices. Conclusions: The investigation in trends and influence factors of different axillary evaluation choices provided basis on surgical precision medicine in DCIS patients. Patients received SLNB increased significantly. The independent influence factors of axillary evaluation were nuclear grade, tumor size and surgical methods. There was no significant differences in prognosis among the groups receiving different axillary evaluations.

The potential role of carbon nanoparticles-assisted biopsy for sentinel lymph nodes of incidental thyroid carcinoma.

Some thyroid cancers are found after thyroidectomy for benign lesions, implying additional surgery and treatments. This work aimed to investigate the role of intraoperative sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) for diagnosis of incidental thyroid carcinoma. This was a retrospective study of 541 consecutive patients who underwent thyroid surgery between 02/2012 and 02/2014 at the Hunan Provincial People's Hospital. All patients were diagnosed with thyroid benign lesions preoperatively and intraoperatively. Among them, 375 underwent successful intraoperative SLNB using carbon nanoparticles (CNs). The preoperative diagnoses were nodular goiter (n=472), Hashimoto's disease with nodules (n=24), hyperthyroidism with nodules (n=16), and thyroid cysts with obstructive symptoms (n=29). In the SLNB group, SLN metastasis of thyroid microcarcinoma was confirmed in 21/392 cases (5.4%). These 21 patients received radical surgical treatment for thyroid carcinoma during the initial operation. In the no-SLNB group (n=149), seven patients (4.7%) were finally diagnosed with thyroid microcarcinoma. Six patients had to undergo a second surgery. Intraoperative SLNB could help diagnose differentiated thyroid microcarcinoma that may be missed preoperatively and intraoperatively. This could prevent the need for a second surgery since the intraoperative frozen section examination of the SLNs can reveal metastasis from thyroid cancer.

Patterns in the Use of Axillary Operations for Patients with Node-Positive Breast Cancer After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy: A National Cancer Database (NCDB) Analysis.

The American College of Surgeons Oncology Group (ACOSOG) Z1071 and Sentinel Neoadjuvant (SENTINA) trials of sentinel node biopsy for node-positive breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) demonstrated false-negative rates that varied on the basis of surgical technique. This study evaluated trends in axillary operations before and after publication of these trials. This study analyzed patients from National Cancer Database (NCDB) with clinical T0 through T4, N1 and N2, M0 breast cancer who received NAC from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2015 and sentinel lymph node biopsy (SNB) or axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). The patients were divided into the following groups: SNB, ALND, and (SNB + ALND). Of the 32,036 evaluable patients identified in this study. 5565 had SNB, 19,930 had ALND, and 6541 had SNB + ALND. Compared with the ALND group, the SNB group was younger, had more invasive ductal cancers, and had lower clinical T- and N-stage disease (p < 0.001). The patients in the SNB group had a higher rate of estrogen receptor-positive and triple-negative breast cancers, but a lower rate of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive cancer (p < 0.001). The nodal pathologic complete response (PCR) rate, defined as no residual invasive cancer, was 66.5% in the SNB group and 33.1% in the ALND group. Since 2013, the rate of ALND has decreased from 88.7 to 77.1% in both community and academic institutions (p < 0.001). Since publication of the ACOSOG Z1071 and SENTINA trials, the national rates of ALND in node positive breast cancer treated with NAC have decreased despite reported false-negative SNB rates and lack of prospective outcome data regarding the oncologic safety of ALND omission.

Neck dissections based on sentinel lymph node navigation versus elective neck dissections in early oral cancers: A randomized, multicenter, non-inferiority trial.

6007 Background: The objective of the study is to evaluate the non-Inferiority of survival, the superiority of postoperative disability, and the complication of the neck in neck dissections based on sentinel lymph node navigation in early oral cancer patients, compared with standard selective neck dissections. Methods: This study was a randomized, multicenter, non-inferiority trial at 16 institutions in Japan. Eligibility criteria included histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma in the oral cavity; clinical categories T1 and T2, N0M0 by UICC TNM classification 7th edition, clinical depth of invasion (DOI) of T1 was over 4mm (defined as late T1); previously untreated; age at least 18 years; and written informed consent. We randomly assigned patients (1:1) to receive either sentinel lymph node biopsy (SNB) or standard selective neck dissections (ND) with stratification of T category (lateT1 vs T2) and subsite (tongue vs others). The primary endpoint was 3-year overall survival with a non-inferiority margin of 12%. Sentinel nodes (SNs) were detected using radioisotope method and examined with multislice frozen section analysis intraoperatively, following HE and cytokeratin stain for a final postoperative diagnosis. Patients with positive SNs had neck dissections in a one-stage or back up procedure. Results: Between November 2011 and January 2016, 271 patients were enrolled and randomized to SNB group (134 patients) and ND group (137 patients) with a median follow-up of 37 months (IQR 36-39). Pathological positive nodal status was 34% (46/132) in SNB group and 26% (34/133) in ND group (Chi-Square p = 0.10). 3-year overall survival in SNB group was 89% (95%CI 82-93%), which was non-inferior to that in ND group (86%, 95%CI 79-91%). 3-year relapse-free survival was 80% (95%CI 72-86%) in SNB group and 81% (95%CI 73-87%) in ND group. Arm abduction of postoperative 1 and 3 months in ND group was disturbed significantly compared with SNB group. Conclusions: SNB navigated ND could replace elective ND without survival disadvantage and reduce postoperative disability of the neck in patients with early oral cancer. Clinical trial information: 000006510.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy following previous axillary surgery in recurrent breast cancer

IntroductionIpsilateral breast recurrence or second primary breast cancer can develop in patients who have undergone breast conserving surgery (BCS) and axillary surgery. The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of a reoperative sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) as a repeated axillary staging procedure. Patients and methodsFrom August 2014 through January 2017 patients with locally recurrent breast cancer or with BRCA mutation requiring risk reduction mastectomy as a second surgical procedure, underwent repeat SLNB in three Hungarian Breast Units with a radiocolloid (and blue dye) technique. ResultsHundred and sixty repeat SLNBs were analysed, 80 after previous SLNB and 80 after previous total or partial axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). SLN identification was successful in 106 patients (66%); 77/80 (77.5%) and 44/80 (55%) in the SLNB and ALND groups, respectively. (p < 0.003). Extra-axillary lymph drainage was more frequent in the ALND group (19/44, 43,2% versus 7/62, 11,3%; p < 0.001). Lymphatic drainage to the contralateral axilla was observed in 14 patients (11 in the ALND group, p = 0.025), isolated parasternal drainage was detected in 4 patients (p = 0.31). Only 9/106 patients with successful repeat SLNB (8,8%, all with 1 SLN removed) had SLN metastases ConclusionsRepeat SLNB is feasible in patients with ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence or new ipsilateral primary tumor after previous BCS and axillary staging. Repeat SLNB should replace routine ALND as the standard axillary restaging procedure in recurrent disease with a clinically negative axilla. Preoperative lymphoscintigraphy is important to explore extra-axillary lymphatic drainage in this restaging setting.

Effect of Sentinel Node Biopsy in Clinically N0, BRAF V600E-Mutated, Small Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: A Pilot Study.

BRAF V600E mutation papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is more aggressive with a higher risk of lymph node involvement and a poorer prognosis. Prior studies failed to demonstrate the superiority of prophylactic lymphadenectomy. We investigated the utility of additional radio-guided sentinel node biopsy (SNB). We analyzed 15 patients with N0 PTC by ultrasound and BRAF mutation on preoperative biopsy treated with total thyroidectomy (TT) or TT + prophylactic central neck dissection (PCND) alone or with SNB. Conventional surgery was performed before SNB. We recorded primary tumor diameter, multifocality, extrathyroid infiltration, neoplastic emboli, and tall cell variant. At follow-up, we evaluated basal and stimulated thyroglobulin and ultrasound or radioiodine scintigraphy. Of 15 consecutive patients, 5 received conventional surgery alone, and 10 had SNB. For the first group, 4 underwent TT, and 1 had TT + PCND. Among the SNB group, 1 had no sentinel node detected and underwent a simple TT, 2 had TT + PCND+ SNB in the lateral compartment, and 7 had TT + SNB in 1 to 3 neck compartments. Micrometastases were found in 1 of 3 PCND specimens. Sentinel node biopsy revealed metastasis in 3 of 6 central compartment biopsies, in 2 of 6 biopsies in the ipsilateral lateral compartment, and in none of 2 biopsies in the contralateral compartment. Sentinel node biopsy allowed the removal of micrometastases in 4 of 10 patients. At 53 months' (mean) follow-up, no relapse was documented. Radio-guided SNB correctly and efficiently stages cN0 BRAF-mutated PTC patients. Sentinel node biopsy could limit time-consuming, risk-exposing compartmental prophylactic dissections.

Protective myoelectric activity at performing upper limb neurodynamic test 1 in breast cancer survivors. A cross-sectional observational study

Myoelectric activity and range of motion during ULNT1 were recorded in 62 breast cancer (BC) survivors who had axillary lymph node dissection (n = 30) or sentinel lymph node biopsy (n = 32) within the previous 18 months, and 63 age-matched healthy women. BC survivors' symptoms were reproduced by ULNT1 and exhibited greater myoelectric activity in the biceps brachii than healthy women (MD (95% CI): 21,26 (10,83-31,70)). No differences between the axillary lymph node dissection and sentinel lymph node biopsy groups (MD (95% CI): 8,47 (−7,84-24,79)) were found. Myoelectric activity in the triceps brachii was greater in the sentinel lymph node biopsy group (MD (95% CI): 2,70 (−2,06–7,60)). BC survivors exhibited less shoulder and elbow range of motion during ULNT1 than healthy women. Increased upper limb nerve mechanosensitivity in BC survivors was associated with a greater protective muscle response during ULNT1.

Prospective study of shoulder strength, shoulder range of motion, and lymphedema in breast cancer patients from pre-surgery to 5years after ALND or SLNB.

Determine the changes in shoulder strength, shoulder range of motion, and arm volume in breast cancer patients treated with sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) or axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) METHOD: Sixty-eight SLNB and 44 ALND patients were followed up from pre-surgery to 5years after surgery. Primary outcomes were the differences between affected and non-affected sides for the following: shoulder strength measured by dynamometry, shoulder range of motion measured by goniometry, and lymphedema measured by volume. As a secondary outcome, health-related quality of life (HRQL) was assessed by the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy for breast cancer (FACT-B+4) questionnaires. Changes over time were tested for SLNB and ALND using univariate repeated measures analysis of variance. Generalized estimating equation models were constructed to assess the effect of SLNB and ALND over time. After 5years, the ALND group had significant loss of strength for internal rotators (1.39kg, p = 0.001) and significant arm volume increase (132.45mL, p = 0.031). The ALND group had a greater number of patients with clinically relevant internal rotator strength loss (38.7 vs. 13.6%, p = 0.012) and a greater number of lymphedema requiring treatment (33.3 vs. 3.4%, p < 0.001) than the SLNB group. A loss of strength for shoulder external rotators, shoulder range of motion, and HRQL in physical and arm domains persisted at 5years in both SLNB and ALND groups. These results could help understand and plan the prevention, needs, and long-term care of breast cancer patients.

Quality of Life After Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Versus Complete Axillary Lymph Node Dissection in Early Breast Cancer: A 3-Year Follow-up Study

The rating of life quality may belong to the method of surgical treatment: after the axillary lymph node dissection patients may suffer from arm symptoms; after sentinel lymph node biopsy women may highlight the anxiety about the success of radical treatment. The aim was to assess the influence of sentinel lymph node biopsy on the quality of life of the patients with early stage breast cancer compared with total axillary lymph node dissection. In a prospective case-control study, 48 patients with early invasive breast cancer and no evidence of lymph nodes involvement underwent breast conserving surgery with sentinel lymph node biopsy. They were grouped as matched pairs with the patients who underwert axillary lymph node dissection, according to the age, TNM stage, localization, hormonal receptor status, and surgical characteristics. Quality of life was evaluated using the QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR-23 questionnaires before surgery and after 1, 3, 6, 12, and 36 months. The patients who underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy scored better on the emotional functioning, pain, sexual functioning, and future perspective scales in comparison with those who underwent axillary lymph node dissection. The score on the arm symptom scale remained significantly better in the sentinel lymph node biopsy group than the axillary lymph node dissection group within the overall follow-up period. The women who underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy experienced better quality of life than the patients who underwent axillary lymph node dissection.

Abstract P3-01-05: A feasibility study of sentinel lymph node detection and analysis of safety to omit axillary lymph node dissection in clinically node-negative breast cancer patients after neoadjuvant chemotherapy

Abstract Background: Concerns still remain about lower sentinel node (SN) detection and higher false-negative rates (FNR) in breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), especially those who are clinically node-positive before NAC. It is necessary to analyze the validity of sentinel node biopsy (SNB) after NAC and evaluate whether the SN identification rate and FNR for clinically N0 (cN0) patients after NAC would be acceptable or not in order to omit axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). Objectives and methods: We identified SN by radioisotopic methods followed by completion of ALND in cN0 patients after NAC from 2013 to 2016 as part of a clinical research study (SNB group, N=68) to analyze the accuracy of SNB, and retrospectively investigated the prognosis of patients treated with NAC from 2006 to 2012 (control group, N=92) to evaluate whether the validity of SNB would be acceptable or not. Results: Mean patient ages in the SNB group and control group were 51.0 years and 49.5 years, respectively (p=0.17), and the distribution of intrinsic subtypes was not significantly different between the two groups. The numbers of cN1≤ before NAC in the SNB group and control group were 85.5% (57/68) and 80.4% (74/92), respectively (p=0.58), and the pathological complete response rates were 25.0% (17/68) and 19.6% (18/92), respectively (p=0.41). Lymphoscintigraphy using 99mTc-phytate acid was performed in the SNB group, and hot spots were detected at the ipsilateral axilla in 62 of 68 (91.2%) patients, in all of whom SNs could be identified by using a gamma-probe. The FNR, which indicates no metastasis in SNs and metastasis in non-SN, was 5.9% (4/68). Among these four patients, three were of the luminal type while one was triple negative. The number of patients without metastasis in both SN and non-SN, which are candidates for omission of ALND, was 26 of 68 (38.2%). They included eight of nine HER2-enriched patients and six of 13 luminal-HER2 patients. Conversely, there were no false-negative cases in these subtypes. Moreover, all SNs were identified even if there were metastases in SNs. Regarding the prognosis of the control group, the 10-year disease free survival of post-NAC N0 (ypN0) (52/92, 56.5%) and ypN1≤ (40/92, 43.5%) were 80.7% and 61.2%, respectively (p=0.08); in addition, the 10-year overall survival of yN0 and ypN1≤ were 90.4% and 72.6% (p=0.26). Thus, the prognosis of ypN1≤ was not significantly inferior to that of ypN0. If omission of ALND were performed for false negative cases, then the risk of axillary relapse would be a concern. However, these data indicate the possibility that 5.9% of FNR as shown in the SNB group would not have much influence on prognosis. Conclusion: The accuracy of SN detection by radioisotopic methods for cN0 breast cancer after NAC was not maintained like that for -early breast cancer although it was better than the results of previous studies. However, there were no false-negative cases in HER2-enriched and luminal-HER2 subtypes, which could be potential candidates for omission of ALND. In addition, omission of ALND for false-negative patients would have less influence on the prognosis. Citation Format: Maeno K, Yamamoto K, Ono M, Oba T, Iesato A, Ono K, Ito T, Kanai T, Ito K-I. A feasibility study of sentinel lymph node detection and analysis of safety to omit axillary lymph node dissection in clinically node-negative breast cancer patients after neoadjuvant chemotherapy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-01-05.

Sentinel node biopsy in early breast cancer: lessons learned from more than 1000 cases at a single institution.

The aims of this paper are to report the development of sentinel node biopsy (SNB) in breast cancer at a single institution and to discuss the relevant issues on SNB still to be elucidated. From 1998 to 2010, 1021 SNBs with frozen section examination were carried out in patients with breast cancer. In the early period (1998-2002) SNB was always combined with axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). From 2002 onwards, only patients with a positive SNB result underwent ALND (late period). The characteristics of patients with infiltrating carcinoma (IC) and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and the histological status of the sentinel nodes were examined. The survival outcomes of node-negative patients were compared between patients submitted to SNB and ALND (ALND group) during the early period and patients who underwent only SNB during the late period (SNB group). The sentinel node was identified intraoperatively in 98.3% of cases. During the early period the overall accuracy of SNB was 97.0%. During the late period, 700 patients with IC and 140 with DCIS underwent SNB. In the IC group, 149 patients (21.3%) had sentinel node macrometastases and 36 (5.1%) micrometastases; of that subgroup, 21 underwent ALND and no other metastatic lymph nodes were found, and 15 underwent SNB only. Axillary recurrences were observed in 4 patients (0.77%) with negative SNB; none of these were among the patients with micrometastatic SNB. Two patients (1.4%) with DCIS had a positive SNB. In node-negative patients the 5-year overall survival was 96.7% in the ALND group and 96.5% in the SNB group (P = 0.63). The 5-year disease-free survival was 93.8% and 93.2% in the ALND and SNB groups, respectively (P = 0.77). Overall and disease-free survival in patients with a negative SNB result and no further axillary surgery were equal to those in patients with negative ALND. Intraoperative assessment of the sentinel node in expert hands has a low false-negative rate and allows immediate ALND in patients with sentinel node metastases, avoiding the need for a second operation. ALND for sentinel node micrometastases may be safely omitted in most patients with early stage breast cancer.

Local-Regional Metastases and Mortality After Sentinel Biopsy and Complete Dissection of Axillary Lymph Nodes in Patients with Early Invasive Breast Cancer.

Introduction:Current, standard procedure for evaluation of axillary lymph node pathological (PH) status has been sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). To demonstrate the long-term validity of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) using the radioactive isotope only Technetium 99m albumin-colloid (Tc99m) we compared the loco-regional recurrence and mortality of breast cancer patients with negative SLNB without axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) (SLNB group) to that of lymph node-positive patients undergoing ALND (ALND group).Aim:The aim of our study is to evaluate the results of long-term monitoring of patients with early invasive breast cancer in which the radio-actively guided axillary SLN biopsy and complete ALND were studied, with special emphasis on local-regional recurrence and mortality.Patients and methods: We studied a total of 63 patients with T1-2early invasive breast cancer diagnosed at Clinic for general and abdominal surgery, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo (CCUS) between 2004 and 2007, with follow-up till 2013, retrospectively, who met the criteria for inclusion. Preoperative peritumorous injection of radioactive isotope (Tc99m albumin-colloid) is done on the Clinic for Endocrine and Nuclear Medicine-CCUS. Intra and postoperative pathohistological (PH)examination of SLN node (or nodes) and PH examination of lymph nodes after complete ALND was done at the Clinic for Clinical Pathology and Cytology-CCUS. Statistical evaluation was done by statistical program MedCalc Statistical Software, version 18.10. Depending on the given variables were used: mean, standard deviation, median values, 95% CI for median value, Chi-square test, D’Agostino-Pearson test, Kaplan-Maier curve of survival. Defined level of significance was p<0,05.Results:The SLNB group consisted of 33 SLN-negative women and ALND group consisted of 30 axillary lymph node-positive women. The sentinel node identification rate was 100%. In the SLNB group no patients has developed axillary recurrence during the follow-up. The mortality rate in the SLNB group was equivalent to that in the ALND group.Conclusions:The SLN biopsy conducted with only a radioactive isotope TC 99m have the same results as loco-regional recurrence and mortality as well as the complete ALND method and may be the method of choice for the treatment of axillary in breast cancer patients and the clinically negative axillary lymph node (or nodules) with the notion that patients should be micro metastases given special attention during long-term monitoring.

Comparative Study between Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy and Axillary Dissection in Patients with One or Two Lymph Node Metastases.

PurposeSentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is a standard axillary surgery in early breast cancer. If the SLNB result is positive, subsequent axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) is a routine procedure. In 2011, the American College of Surgeons Oncology Group Z0011 trial revealed that ALND may not be necessary in early breast cancer with one or two positive sentinel lymph nodes. The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes among Korean patients with one or two positive axillary lymph nodes in the final pathology who did and did not undergo ALND.MethodsA total of 131,717 patients from the Korea Breast Cancer Society registry database received breast cancer surgery from January 1995 to December 2014. Inclusion criteria were T stage 1 or 2, one or two positive lymph nodes, and having received breast-conserving surgery (BCS), whole breast radiation therapy, and no neoadjuvant therapy. We analyzed the differences in disease-specific survival (DSS) and overall survival (OS) between patients who received SLNB only and those who underwent SLNB+ALND.ResultsA total 4,442 patients met the inclusion criteria, with 1,268 (28.6%) in the SLNB group and 3,174 (71.4%) in the SLNB+ALND group. There were no differences in DSS and OS between the two groups (p=0.378 and p=0.925, respectively). The number of patients who underwent SLNB alone for one or two positive lymph nodes increased continuously from 2004 to 2014.ConclusionKorean patients with early breast cancer and 1 or 2 positive axillary lymph nodes who received BCS plus SLNB showed no significant difference in DSS and OS regardless of whether they received ALND. The findings of this retrospective study demonstrate that omitting ALND can be considered when treating selected patients with early breast cancer who have one or two positive lymph nodes.

The Impact of Adding Sentinel Node Biopsy to Extended Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection on Biochemical Recurrence in Prostate Cancer Patients Treated with Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy.

The benefit of adding sentinel node biopsy (SNB) to extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND) remains controversial. The aim of our study was to evaluate biochemical recurrence (BCR) after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy and ePLND in prostate cancer patients, stratified by the application of SNB. The results were compared with the predictions of the updated Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center nomogram. Methods: Between January 2006 and November 2016, 920 patients underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy and ePLND with or without SNB (184 and 736 patients, respectively). BCR was defined as 2 consecutive prostate-specific antigen rises of at least 0.2 ng/mL. The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analyses were used to identify predictors of BCR. Results: Median follow-up was 28 mo (interquartile range, 13-56.7 mo). The 5-y BCR-free survival rate was 80.5% and 69.9% in the ePLND+SNB and ePLND groups, respectively. At multivariate analysis, prostate-specific antigen level, primary Gleason grade greater than 3, seminal vesicle invasion, and higher number of removed and positive nodes were independent predictors of BCR in the ePLND group. In the ePLND+SNB group, only the number of positive nodes was an independent predictor of BCR. The overall accuracy of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center nomogram was higher in the ePLND+SNB than in the ePLND group. However, the nomogram was underestimating the probability of BCR-free status in the ePLND+SNB group, whereas the ePLND group was performing as predicted. Conclusion: Adding SNB to ePLND improves BCR-free survival, although the precise explanation of this observation remains speculative. Our results should be interpreted cautiously, given the nonrandomized nature and the selection bias of the study.

Different outcome in node-positive breast cancer patients found by axillary ultrasound or sentinel node procedure

BackgroundThe Z0011 trial initiated a paradigm shift in the axillary treatment of breast cancer patients with a positive sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB), disregarding patients with a positive ultrasound-guided lymph node biopsy (UGLNB). We examined whether relevant differences exist between these patients to determine if the conclusions of the ACOSOG Z0011 trial are applicable to UGLNB-positive patients.MethodsPatients diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in the Netherlands between January 2008 and December 2014 were selected from the Netherlands Cancer Registry.ResultsA total of 11,820 cases were included: 9149 cases in the SLNB group and 2671 in the UGLNB group. Multivariate analyses showed that UGLNB-positive patients were older (p < 0.001), more likely to have a poorly differentiated tumor (p < 0.001), had a negative hormone receptor status (p < 0.001), and more often had extensive nodal involvement (p < 0.001). However, they were less likely to undergo adjuvant radiation (p = 0.004) or systemic therapy (p < 0.001). Even after adjusting for these factors, UGLNB-positive patients had a worse overall survival (HR = 1.38; 95% CI 1.23–1.56) than SLNB-positive patients.ConclusionThis nationwide retrospective study shows that young patients found positive by UGLNB have less favorable disease characteristics and a worse prognosis compared to patients with a positive SLNB. Selection by ultrasound plays an important role when axillary treatment strategies are considered. Hence, the conclusions of the Z0011 trial cannot unconditionally be applied to patients with a positive UGLNB.

Sentinel node biopsy for axillary management after neoadjuvant therapy for breast cancer: a single-center retrospective analysis with long follow-up.

Sentinel node biopsy (SNB) after neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) for breast cancer remains controversial. We conducted a retrospective study of patients who underwent SNB after NAT to evaluate the effectiveness of this procedure. A consecutive 105 women with locally advanced breast cancer (cT1-4, cN0-3, M0) were treated with NAT between 2006 and 2015. The subjects were 80 of these patients who became or remained clinically node-negative after NAT, 53 of whom had axillary management determined by SNB (group A) and the other 27 underwent axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) without SNB (group B). SNB was performed using a modified dye method. The sentinel node (SN) identification rate was 94.3% and the mean number of removed SNs was 2.4. ALND was avoided in 33 patients, who were confirmed as SN-negative. There was no difference in recurrence-free and overall survival rates between groups A and B (p=0.71 and p=0.46, respectively) during the median follow-up time of 63months. Of the 33 patients who did not undergo ALND, 10 suffered recurrence (33%). One patient (3%) had recurrence in an axillary lymph node and four had recurrence in a supraclavicular lymph node. Axillary SNB after NAT did not affect the axillary failure rate or the prognosis. SNB may be a reliable procedure, even after NAT.

Are the ACOSOG Z0011 Trial Findings Being Applied to Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy?

In 2010, the ACOSOG Z0011 trial showed equivalent survival and recurrence between sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) alone versus axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) for those with a tumor positive sentinel node (SN). We examined national trends in axillary surgery following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for clinically node positive disease in the years prior to and after the Z0011 trial publication. 12,063 women with cT1-4N1M0 invasive breast cancer who underwent NAC from 2006 to 2013 and had 1-3 positive nodes on pathology were selected from the National Cancer Data Base. We defined SLNB as 1-4 nodes and ALND as ≥10 nodes examined. 2,704 women (22.4%) underwent SLNB alone and 9,359 (77.6%) underwent ALND. The rate of SLNB increased from 25.6% in 2006 to 33.3% in 2012 in patients that underwent lumpectomy (p < 0.01) and increased from 20.6% to 22.8% in patients that underwent mastectomy (p = 0.25). Patients treated at Community centers (30.4% versus 19.2% at Academic centers) and those with less positive nodes (32.2% for 1 positive node versus 10.1% for 3 positive nodes, p < 0.01) were more likely to have SLNB alone compared to ALND. On multivariate analysis, treatment with lumpectomy (OR 1.46, CI 1.28-1.67), lower number of positive nodes (OR 3.98, CI 3.29-4.82) and lobular subtype (OR 1.82, CI 1.42-2.34) were independent predictors of receiving SLNB alone after NAC. Approximately 22% of patients with cN1 breast cancer underwent SLNB alone for pN1 disease after NAC. Ongoing clinical trials will determine if recurrence and survival rates are equivalent between SLNB and ALND groups.

Arm lymphoscintigraphy after axillary lymph node dissection or sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer.

PurposeCompare the lymphatic flow in the arm after breast cancer surgery and axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) versus sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) using lymphos-cintigraphy (LS).Patients and methodsA cross-sectional study with 39 women >18 years who underwent surgical treatment for unilateral breast cancer and manipulation of the axillary lymph node chain through either ALND or SLNB, with subsequent comparison of the lymphatic flow of the arm by LS. The variables analyzed were the area reached by the lymphatic flow in the upper limb and the sites and number of lymph nodes identified in the ALND or SLNB groups visualized in the three phases of LS acquisition (immediate dynamic and static images, delayed scan images). For all analyses, the level of significance was set at 5%.ResultsThere was a significant difference between the ALND and SLNB groups, with predominant visualization of lymphatic flow and/or lymph nodes in the arm and axilla (P=0.01) and extra-axillary lymph nodes (P<0.01) in the ALND group. There was no significant difference in the total number of lymph nodes identified between the two groups. However, there was a significant difference in the distribution of lymph nodes in these groups. The cubital lymph node was more often visualized in the immediate dynamic images in the ALND group (P=0.004), while the axillary lymph nodes were more often identified in the delayed scan images of the SLNB group (P<0.01). The deltopectoral lymph node was only identified in the ALND group, but with no significant difference.ConclusionThe lymphatic flow from the axilla was redirected to alternative extra-axillary routes in the ALND group.

Abstract P2-01-04: Use of axillary ultrasound impacts outcome of node positive breast cancer patients

Abstract Background The Z0011 trial initiated a paradigm shift in the treatment of axillary node positive breast cancer patients. Treatment strategy, however, starts with the information gathered by the diagnostic axillary work up. This can either be done by sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) or ultrasound guided lymph node biopsy (UGLNB). We examined whether there are relevant clinical and prognostic differences between patients found node positive by these two diagnostic selection processes. Methods Patients diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in the Netherlands between January 2000 and December 2013 were studied. Patients with no clinically palpable lymphadenopathy (cN0) and node-positive disease after an axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) were included. Patients with stage IV breast cancer, with clinical stage T3-T4 breast tumor according to the TNM-classification, those treated within the neo-adjuvant setting, patients with palpable axillary nodes (cN≥1) and patients who did not undergo an ALND were excluded. Results A total of 14,730 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria, of whom 9,448 were included in the SLNB group and 5,282 in the UGLNB group. Patients in the UGLNB group were older at diagnosis (p&amp;lt;0.001), had larger tumors (p&amp;lt;0.001), a higher tumor grade (p=0.001), and were more likely to have a negative hormonal receptor status (p&amp;lt;0.001) and to undergo a mastectomy (p&amp;lt;0.001). Patients in the UGLNB group were also more likely to have ≥3 positive axillary lymph nodes (p&amp;lt;0.001) and, after adjustment for these differences, had a worseoverall survival (HR=1.64; 95% CI=1.53-1.75) compared to the node-positive patients in the SLNB group. Conclusion Our multicenter study shows that patients with a positive UGLNB have less favorable disease characteristics and a worse prognosis compared to patients with a positive SLNB. The diagnostic selection process plays an important role when axillary treatment strategies are considered. Therefore, we conclude that the conclusions of the Z0011 trial cannot (yet) be applied to patients with a positive UGLNB. Citation Format: Verheuvel NC, Voogd AC, Tjan-Heijnen VCG, Roumen RMH. Use of axillary ultrasound impacts outcome of node positive breast cancer patients [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-01-04.

SENTINEL LYMPH NODE BIOPSY IN PREVENTING REGIONAL RELAPSES IN PATIENTS WITH LOCALLY ADVANCED CUTANEOUS MELANOMA

Objective. To determine an optimal method for preventing regional relapses in patients with locally advanced cutaneous melanoma (CM). Material and methods. The investigation included 755 patients with locally advanced CM who had been treated at the Medical Radiology Research Centre. Among them, 213 patients had wide excision only for the primary tumor; 242 patients were additionally treated with preventive lymphadenectomy (pLAE), and 300 patients underwent sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy. The groups were matched for the local extent of a tumor in the TNM staging (p = 0.178), which allowed a proper comparative analysis of treatment results. The Russian radiopharmaceutical 99mTc-Technefit having necessary lymphotropic properties was used to identify SLN. Intraoperative navigation was performed using a Radical handheld gamma probe counter (Amplitude Research and Technology Center, Russia). Results. Regional relapses were observed in 20.2% of cases in the primary CM excision group. In the pLAE group, latent regional lymph node metastases were detected in 10.7% of the patients; and 12.0% more of the patients developed subsequently regional relapses in the intact lymph nodes. The total number of latent regional metastases in this group was 22.7%; these were diagnosed as a result of pLAE in less than half of the cases (47.3%). SLN biopsy revealed subclinical regional metastases in 20.7% of the patients and regional relapses were seen only in 3.3%. Overall, SLN biopsy could detect latent lymph node metastases in 86.1% of all cases; these were demonstrated with clinical relapses only in 13.9%. The efficiency of SLN biopsy in preventing regional relapses was significantly higher than was achievable during pLAE (p =0.001). The five and seven-year survival rates were 61.5 ± 4.3 and 54.3 ± 4.6% in the CM excision group, respectively; 68.8 ± 0.35 and 61.3±3.9% in the pLAE group; and 84.8 ± 6.5 and 84.8 ± 6.5% in the SLN biopsy group (p = 0.001). Conclusion. The investigation of SLN is the most effective, safe, and reproducible technique for the early detection of subclinical regional metastases and for the prevention of regional relapses in patients with locally advanced CM. Reliable regional control in turn makes it possible to hope for the best long-term treatment results.