Subsequent Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Research Articles

Does the interval between melanoma diagnosis and surgery have an impact on outcomes? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Studies report conflicting effects of the time interval between cutaneous melanoma excision and subsequent sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). We conducted a meta-analysis to investigate the effects of time interval from diagnosis to SLNB on overall survival (OS), melanoma-specific survival (MSS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS). MethodsWe screened public databases for relevant studies published from January 1997 to April 2024. The study followed PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO CRD42021240045). Risk of Bias for individual studies (Cochrane Collaboration ROBINS-E), and heterogeneity between studies (RevMan Web v7.4.0) were assessed. Pooled relative hazard ratios (HR) were calculated, and summaries of evidence were presented with GRADE. Results19,741 articles were identified. 13 studies had data for quantitative analysis including 66,283 patients. The cutoff for “early” SLNB was ≤43 days.MSS and RFS was worse in patients who underwent early SLNB with HR 0.75 (95 %CI 0.62–0.92) and 0.87 (95 %CI 0.77–0.98) respectively, but with significant cohort biases. The early and late groups had similar OS (HR 0.88 (95 %CI 0.76–1.02)). Where SLN positive patients were reported, there was no difference in MSS (HR 1.11 (95 %CI 0.75–1.66)) and RFS (HR 0.99 (95 %CI 0.88–1.11)). Some studies had significant confounding biases, with high-risk melanomas being over-represented in early SLNB cohorts. ConclusionsPatients undergoing SLNB for melanoma do not have demonstrable long-term advantages when performed <6 weeks compared to those between 6 and 12 weeks after primary excision biopsy. Clinicians and patients should gain confidence that SLNB performed up to 12 weeks does not negatively influence their long-term outcomes.

Survival and inferential analysis in patients with locally advanced breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and subsequent sentinel lymph node biopsy: prospective single-center study

BackgroundThe lymph node staging is the major prognostic factor in breast cancer patients. Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) allows an exactly axillar staging in patients with early disease, but not in locally advance breast cancer (LABC). Our aim was to study, the feasibility and accuracy of the SLNB technique with and without axillar lymphadenectomy (LDN) and with lymph node clipping after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), in patients with LABC.Patients and methodsPatients diagnosed with LABC, scheduled for NAC and subsequent surgery and SLNB. Subsequently the patients were scheduled for adjuvant chemotherapy/hormonotherapy and radiotherapy according with the postsurgical results. Main end points were overall survival (OS) disease-free survival (DFS), mortality, SLNB identification rate (IR), sensitivity, false negative rate (FNR) of SLNB versus LDN, negative predictive value (NPV) and overall accuracy.ResultsOur IR with different techniques was between 89.9 and 100%. OS was between 89 and 97%. DFS was between 89.8 and 96.8%. Sensitivity was between 75 and 100%. NPV was between 89.6 and 100%. FNR was between 0 and 25%; and accuracy was between 66 and 72%. We found that survival was lower (p < 0.05) in patients with triple negative and Luminal B/HER2 intrinsic subtype; with progression or major partial response in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) results at the end of NAC and in patients with BRCA1/2 mutation.ConclusionsOur study presents excellent results of SLNB alone in patients with LABC with complete nodal response with an OS and DFS > 95%. The FNR is very high in partial responders, so we cannot recommend the SLNB alone in LABC. We recommend, in cN+ patients, axillar clipping, SLNB and LDN because in more than 50% of the patients with axillar clipping, this was not found, and because in 36% of the patients with negative LDN, the SLN (Sentinel Lymph Node) obtained was the only positive node, so these techniques together decrease the FNR and improve the node staging, OS and DFS. This study is the first prospective study that assess OS and DFS in patients with LABC, all submitted to SLNB.

Axillary surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer patients downstaging from cN+ to ycN0

Relevance. Axillary lymph node dissection is a redundant method of surgical treatment and axillary staging for a large number of patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy with positive lymph nodes before NCT. Purpose of research. Improving the technique of axillary lymph node staging after neoadjuvant systemic therapy using targeted axillary dissection with I-125 microseed in addition to SLNB. Materials and methods. The study included 212 patients with breast cancer (cT1-3N1M0) who received treatment at the breast tumors department of the N.N. Petrov NMRC of Oncology from 2019 to 2021. All patients included in the study had the cN1 initial status of the axillary lymph nodes. All patients underwent neoadjuvant systemic therapy and subsequent sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). In patients with pathomorphologically proven metastatic lymph nodes (cN1) even at the initial diagnosis, lymph node marking was performed before the start of NCT and targeted axillary lymph node dissection after the completion of neoadjuvant systemic therapy. In the same patients, after SLNB and targeted axillary lymph node dissection, a complete (standard) axillary lymph node dissection was performed to determine the false-negative rate and the oncological safety of the procedure. Results. The identification rate of only one sentinel lymph node was 21% (40 out of 193 patients), two sentinel lymph nodes - 30% (58 out of 193 patients), more than 3 - 49% (95 out of 193 patients). When only 1 sentinel lymph node was found, the false-negative rate of SLNB was 20.0% (4 of 20) (95% CI, 5.7 to 43.7). When two sentinel lymph nodes were found, the false-negative rate of SLNB was 20.0% (6 of 30) (95% CI, 7.7 to 38.6). When three sentinel lymph nodes were found, the false negative rate of SLNB was 4.7% (2 of 43) (95% CI, 0.0 to 15.8). Among 45 patients who had a microseed with the iodine-125 radioisotope installed before the start of treatment, the frequency of identifying a marked node was 100%. In 19 patients, tumor cells were found in the lymph nodes. The false-negative rate of targeted axillary dissection in combination with SLNB was 5.3% (1 of 19) (95% CI, 0.0 to 26.0). Conclusion. Targeted axillary dissection and sentinel lymph nodes biopsy, provided that 3 SLNs are removed, are reliable methods for identifying patients in whom systemic therapy is guaranteed to achieve complete response of regional lymph nodes (ypN0), thereby relieving patients of the need to perform a crippling complete axillary lymph node dissection.

Axillary surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer patients downstaging from cN+ to ycN0.

e12580 Background: Axillary lymph node dissection is a redundant method of surgical treatment and axillary staging for a large number of patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy with positive lymph nodes before NCT. Methods: The study included 212 patients with breast cancer (cT1-3N1M0) who received treatment at the breast tumors department of the N.N. Petrov NMRC of Oncology from 2019 to 2021 All patients included in the study had the cN1 initial status of the axillary lymph nodes. All patients underwent neoadjuvant systemic therapy and subsequent sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). In patients with pathomorphologically proven metastatic lymph nodes (cN1) even at the initial diagnosis, lymph node marking was performed before the start of NCT and targeted axillary lymph node dissection after the completion of neoadjuvant systemic therapy. In the same patients, after SLNB and targeted axillary lymph node dissection, a complete (standard) axillary lymph node dissection was performed to determine the false-negative rate and the oncological safety of the procedure. Results: The identification rate of only one sentinel lymph node was 21% (40 out of 193 patients), two sentinel lymph nodes - 30% (58 out of 193 patients), more than 3 - 49% (95 out of 193 patients). When only 1 sentinel lymph node was found, the false-negative rate of SLNB was 20.0% (4 of 20) (95% CI, 5.7 to 43.7). When two sentinel lymph nodes were found, the false-negative rate of SLNB was 20.0% (6 of 30) (95% CI, 7.7 to 38.6). When three sentinel lymph nodes were found, the false negative rate of SLNB was 4.7% (2 of 43) (95% CI, 0 to 15.8). Among 45 patients who had a microseed with the iodine-125 radioisotope installed before the start of treatment, the frequency of identifying a marked node was 100%. In 19 patients, tumor cells were found in the lymph nodes. The false-negative rate of targeted axillary dissection in combination with SLNB was 5.3% (1 of 19) (95% CI, 0 to 26.0). Conclusions: Targeted axillary dissection and sentinel lymph nodes biopsy, provided that 3 SLNs are removed, are reliable methods for identifying patients in whom systemic therapy is guaranteed to achieve complete response of regional lymph nodes (ypN0), thereby relieving patients of the need to perform a crippling complete axillary lymph node dissection. Clinical trial information: 3/198.

Enhanced Axillary Evaluation Using Reflector-Guided Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy: A Prospective Feasibility Study and Comparison With Conventional Lymphatic Mapping Techniques

BackgroundRecently there are efforts to use sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) techniques after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) to minimize axillary surgery. However, studies have shown higher false negative rates in this scenario, which might result in inaccurate assessment of treatment response and patient prognosis as well as leaving residual disease behind. In this study, we describe the use of reflector-guided excision of the percutaneously biopsied node (PBN) as an aid to conventional SLNB and its predictor of the axillary status after NAC. Patients and MethodsThis was a single-institution analysis of patients who underwent axillary fiducial-reflector placement and subsequent SLNB compared with conventional SLNB. ResultsNineteen patients in the reflector group were matched with 19 patients who underwent conventional SLNB (conventional group). The PBN was identified in the SLNB in 19 patients (100%) in the reflector group and in 9 patients (47.3%) in the conventional group (P = .002). In the remaining 10 patients in the conventional group, the PBN was identified in the axillary lymph node dissection specimen in 4 patients (21%) and not identified in 6 patients (31.7%). Among the 38 patients, traditional mapping failed to identify the PBN in 13 patients (34.2%). The PBN was negative in 10 patients (36%) and positive in 18 patients (64%); no additional positive nodes were identified among patients with a negative PBN, correctly reflecting the status of the axilla in 100% of cases. ConclusionMapping failure after NAC might compromise SLNB. Reflector-guided excision of the PBN is not only facile and feasible, but more accurately reflects the status of the axilla after NAC.

Single-stage excision and sentinel lymph node biopsy in cutaneous melanoma in selected patients: a retrospective case-control study.

Sometimes, diagnostic excision of a primary melanoma would already necessitate skin grafting or transposition skin flaps, especially in areas with an esthetic or functional importance. The utility of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) after skin reconstruction is controversial. We carried out a single-institution retrospective case-control study. In patients with a wide primary lesion at high clinical-dermatoscopic suspicion for invasive melanoma in anatomical region in which a reconstruction with a skin graft or a flap is required, we proposed the performance of a confocal microscopy examination and an incisional biopsy of the primary lesion. If these diagnostic methodologies confirmed the suspicion of melanoma, lymphatic mapping was performed before the wide excision (WE) of the primary lesion, and WE and SLNB were performed during the same operative procedure. The database evaluation showed 496 patients who had undergone a previous complete local excision and a subsequent SLNB (two-stage group), whereas 61 patients underwent WE and SLNB during the same surgical time (one-stage group). Histological results of the excisional biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of melanoma in all patients of the one-stage group. The false-negative rate was lower in the one-stage group (5.5%) than in the two-stage group (16.7%). Patients of the two groups showed a similar recurrence-free and overall survival period even when corrected for clinic-demographical variables. The concomitant execution of SLNB and WE after confocal microscopy examination and incisional biopsy appears to be a safe and accurate procedure in patients with a wide primary melanoma that requires a skin flaps or a skin graft to cover the residual defect.

Negative predictive value of ipsilateral axillary ultrasound in the pre-operative assessment of invasive breast cancer.

e12080 Objective: To determine if a negative preoperative axillary ultrasound predicts a negative sentinel lymph node biopsy at surgery. Background: Axillary lymph node involvement is an important prognostic indicator in patients with breast cancer. Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is currently the gold standard for determining the presence or absence of axillary metastases. Pre-operative axillary ultrasound is often used to evaluate axillary lymph node status prior to surgery and SLNB. Although there are no established guidelines on when preoperative axillary ultrasound is performed, at our institution we evaluate the axilla when invasive breast cancer is suspected. This study evaluated the negative predictive value (NPV) of axillary ultrasound compared to the pathology results of SLNB. Methods: In this single-center IRB-approved retrospective study, 3 years of breast imaging data (2014-2016) were reviewed. 137 patients had pathology verified invasive breast cancer with negative preoperative axillary ultrasound and subsequent SLNB. All patients had clinically negative axillae. Based upon the pathology results of SLNB, the negative predictive value of preoperative axillary ultrasound was calculated. Negative axillary ultrasound is defined as the absence of morphologically abnormal lymph nodes on imaging. A lymph node is considered morphologically normal when there is preserved fatty hilum and a uniform cortex measuring 3 mm or less. Results: Out of 137 patients with invasive breast cancer who had negative preoperative axillary ultrasound, 122 had negative SLNB results and 15 had positive SLNB results. Preoperative axillary ultrasound demonstrated a NPV of 89.1% for the detection of axillary metastatic disease at the time of SLNB. Conclusions: Negative axillary ultrasound excluded axillary metastatic disease in 89.1% of patients. This data suggests that negative axillary ultrasound may have a role in the setting of failed SLNB (no lymph nodes found at the time of surgery) in deciding whether to pursue axillary dissection.

Predictive Factors for Nonsentinel Lymph Node Metastasis in Patients With Positive Sentinel Lymph Nodes After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy: Nomogram for Predicting Nonsentinel Lymph Node Metastasis

IntroductionAxillary lymph node (ALN) status is an important prognostic factor for breast cancer patients. With increasing numbers of patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), issues concerning sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) after NAC have emerged. Patients and MethodsWe analyzed the clinicopathologic features and developed a nomogram to predict the possibility of nonsentinel lymph node (NSLN) metastases in patients with positive SLNs after NAC. A retrospective medical record review was performed of 140 patients who had had clinically positive ALNs at presentation, had a positive SLN after NAC on subsequent SLNB, and undergone axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) from 2008 to 2014. ResultsOn multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis, pathologic T stage, lymphovascular invasion, SLN metastasis size, and number of positive SLN metastases were independent predictors for NSLN metastases (P < .05). The NAC nomogram was based on these 4 variables. A receiver operating characteristic curve was plotted, and the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.791 for the NAC nomogram. In the internal validation of performance, the AUCs for the training and test sets were 0.801 and 0.760, respectively. The nomogram was validated in an external patient cohort, with an AUC of 0.705. ConclusionThe Samsung Medical Center NAC nomogram was developed to predict the likelihood of additional positive NSLNs. The Samsung Medical Center NAC nomogram could provide information to surgeons regarding whether to perform additional ALND when the permanent biopsy revealed positive findings, although the intraoperative SLNB findings were negative.

300P - Predictive factors for nonsentinel lymph node metastasis in patients with positive sentinel lymph nodes after neoadjuvant chemotherapy

Axillary lymph node (ALN) status is an important prognostic factor for breast cancer patients. With increasing numbers of patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), issues concerning sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) after NAC have emerged. We analyzed clinicopathological features and developed a nomogram to predict the possibility of nonsentinel lymph node (NSLN) metastases in patients with positive SLNs after NAC. A retrospective chart review was performed for 141 patients who were clinically ALN positive at presentation, had a positive SLN after NAC on subsequent SLNB, and underwent axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) between 2008 and 2014. On univariate analysis, SLN metastasis size, clinical ALN status after NAC, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), number of positive SLNs, number of negative SLNs, and pathologic T stage were significantly associated with likelihood of NSLN metastases (P < 0.05). On multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis, pathologic T stage, SLN metastasis size, LVI, and number of positive SLN metastases were independent predictors for NSLN metastases (P < 0.05). The NAC nomogram was based on these four variables. A receiver operating characteristic curve was plotted and the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.791 for the NAC nomogram. In internal validation of performance, the AUC was 0.801 and 0.760. The nomogram was validated in an external patient cohort with AUC of 0.705. The NAC nomogram was developed to predict the likelihood of additional positive NSLNs because this information may help dictate appropriate axillary surgery in the future as we strive to safely minimize axillary morbidity.

Evaluation of positron emission tomography imaging to detect lymph node metastases in patients with high‐risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

Ten to twenty percent of high-risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) can metastasize to regional lymph nodes. Detection of nodal metastasis is mandatory to manage high-risk cSCC. This study was aimed to evaluate the 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) imaging to assess lymph node (LN) metastasis of high-risk cSCC patients. Twenty-six patients with histologically proven primary cSCC were enrolled. All patients underwent whole-body PET prior to lymphoscintigraphy and subsequent sentinel LN biopsy. The maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of more than 2.5 is generally evaluated as a positive PET finding indicative of malignancy. On the basis of the histopathological and PET findings, 30 LN from 26 patients were categorized into four groups: (i) histologically negative and PET negative (true-negative; n = 22); (ii) histologically positive and PET negative (false-negative; n = 0); (iii) histologically positive and PET positive (true-positive; n = 3); and (iv) histologically negative and PET positive (false-positive; n = 5). The mean SUVmax was significantly higher in the true-positive cases (11.0 ± 2.8) than in the false-positive cases (3.4 ± 0.6). In the false-positive cases, the number of tumor-infiltrating inflammatory cells at the primary skin site was highest among the four groups, suggesting that inflammation contributed to the false-positive uptake of FDG. Although we cannot negate the possibility of the presence of PET-undetectable micrometastasis, the SUVmax value may be useful for avoidance of excess performance of sentinel LN biopsy.

P029. Does micro-invasion with DCIS on core biopsy from breast patients indicate whether sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) should be performed?

P029. Does micro-invasion with DCIS on core biopsy from breast patients indicate whether sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) should be performed?

Unmet needs related to quality of life: Questionnaire-based survey in a breast cancer patient follow-up program

Unmet needs related to quality of life: Questionnaire-based survey in a breast cancer patient follow-up program

Selective sentinel lymph node biopsy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer: results of the GEICAM 2005-07 study

IntroductionA controversial aspect of breast cancer management is the use of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in patients requiring neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT). This paper discusses the detection rate (DT) and false negatives (FN) of SLNB after NCT to investigate the influence of initial nodal disease and the protocols applied. MethodsProspective observational multicenter study in women with breast cancer, treated with NCT and SLNB post-NCT with subsequent lymphadenectomy. DT and FN rates were calculated, both overall and depending on the initial nodal status or the use of diagnostic protocols pre-SLNB. ResultsNo differences in DT between initial node-negative cases and positive cases were found (89.8% vs 84.4%, P=.437). Significant differences were found (94.1% vs 56.5%, P=.002) in the negative predictive value, which was lower when there was initial lymph node positivity, and a higher rate of FN, not significant (18.2% vs 43.5%, P=.252) in the same cases. The axillary study before SLNB and after the NCT, significantly decreased the rate of FN in patients with initial involvement (55.6 vs 12.5, P=.009). ConclusionsNCT means less DT and a higher rate of FN in subsequent SLNB, especially if there is initial nodal involvement. The use of protocols in axillary evaluation after administering the NCT and before BSGC decreases the FN rate in these patients.

Biopsia selectiva del ganglio centinela tras quimioterapia neoadyuvante en el cáncer de mama: resultados del estudio GEICAM 2005-07

IntroductionA controversial aspect of breast cancer management is the use of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in patients requiring neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT). This paper discusses the detection rate (DT) and false negatives (FN) of SLNB after NCT to investigate the influence of initial nodal disease and the protocols applied. MethodsProspective observational multicenter study in women with breast cancer, treated with NCT and SLNB post-NCT with subsequent lymphadenectomy. DT and FN rates were calculated, both overall and depending on the initial nodal status or the use of diagnostic protocols pre-SLNB. ResultsNo differences in DT between initial node-negative cases and positive cases were found (89.8 vs. 84.4%, P=.437). Significant differences were found (94.1 vs. 56.5%, P=0,002) in the negative predictive value, which was lower when there was initial lymph node positivity, and a higher rate of FN, not significant (18.2 vs. 43.5%, P=.252) in the same cases. The axillary study before SLNB and after the NCT, significantly decreased the rate of FN in patients with initial involvement (55.6 vs 12.5, P=0,009). ConclusionsNCT means less DT and a higher rate of FN in subsequent SLNB, especially if there is initial nodal involvement. The use of protocols in axillary evaluation after administering the NCT and before BSGC, decreases the FN rate in these patients.

Audit on clinical coding of breast surgery clinic outcomes

Audit on clinical coding of breast surgery clinic outcomes

Reliability of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer Patients

PurposeSentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is an accurate and effective means of axillary nodal staging in early breast cancer. However its indication after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is under constant debate. The present study evaluates the reliability of SLNB in assessing axillary nodal status after NAC.MethodsData from 281 patients who had received NAC and subsequent SLNB were reviewed. The identification and false negative rates of SLNB were determined and the clinicopathologic factors associated with false negative results were investigated using univariate analysis.ResultsThe identification rate of SLNB after NAC was 93.6% and the false negative rate was 10.4%. Hormone receptor status, especially progesterone receptor positivity, was significantly associated with false negative results. The accuracy of intraoperative frozen section examination of sentinel lymph nodes was 91.2%.ConclusionThe identification rate of SLNB and the accuracy of intraoperative frozen section examination after NAC are comparable to the results without NAC in patients with early breast cancer. However considering the high false negative rates, general application of SLNB after NAC should be avoided. Patients with progesterone-positive tumors and non-triple-negative breast cancers may be a select group of patients in whom SLNB can be employed safely after NAC, but further studies are necessary.

Overuse of sentinel lymph node biopsy with breast conserving surgery for clinical DCIS.

1125 Background: The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines recommend against sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) for ductal carcinoma in-situ (DCIS) treated with breast conservation surgery (BCS). SLNB is appropriate with mastectomy because it precludes subsequent SLNB if invasive cancer is identified. However, SLNB is commonly performed with BCS for DCIS. We hypothesize SLNB use in the setting of BCS for DCIS varies and may be over used in some cancer centers. Methods: We examined 6,070 cases with initial biopsy showing DCIS presenting to 13 institutions participating in the NCCN Breast Outcomes Database from 1998-2009. Receipt of SLNB was defined as SLNB performed at any point in primary treatment for those with a final diagnosis of DCIS or at the first surgical procedure for those upstaged to invasive cancer. Characteristics of patients who did and did not have SLNB were compared using Chi-square tests. Logistic models adjusting for clinical and pathologic variables were performed to assess factors associated with use of SLNB. Results: Of 3,725 treated with BCS, 778 (20.9%) had SLNB. Among 2,345 treated with mastectomy, 1,484 (63.3%) had SLNB. Within BCS, patients presenting with clinical symptoms (vs. screening detected) were more likely to have SLNB (p=0.0006, OR: 1.76; 95% CI 1.31-2.36). For both groups, presence of comedo necrosis, year of diagnosis, and treating institution were predictors of SLNB (p&lt;0.0001). 1,171 (19.3%) were upstaged from DCIS at initial biopsy to invasive cancer on final pathology. 212 (18.1% invasive cancer group) had positive nodes. Use of SLNB increased over time from 1998-2009 in mastectomy group. Among BCS group, SNLB use decreased over the first half of the study period and then remained stable at approximately 15% across all centers. Conclusions: Although use of SNLB has decreased over time, a substantial percentage of patients undergoing BCS for DCIS receive SNLB. Practices vary considerably across centers. SLNB can be performed as a second procedure for those treated with BCS and identified with invasive cancer, thereby avoiding unnecessary risk of significant morbidity. Breast programs should review their practices to curtail the use of unnecessary surgery for women with DCIS.

Audit of accuracy of ultrasound-guided axillary core biopsy

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is the preferred method of axillary staging in breast cancer. If metastases are detected, axillary node clearance (ANC) is necessary. Preoperative detection of nodal metastases using ultrasound-guided core biopsy (USCB) allows the surgeon to proceed directly to ANC. Negative CBs do not exclude metastases. All patients still need SLNB. However, by minimising false negatives, unnecessary SLNBs can be minimised. We compared our USCB results with the results of subsequent SLNB + axillary node sampling (ANS) or ANC to assess our accuracy.

D2-40 lymphatic marker for detecting lymphatic invasion in thin to intermediate thickness melanomas: Association with sentinel lymph node status and prognostic value—A retrospective case study

Sentinel lymph node (SLN) status is the greatest prognostic factor of morbidity in melanoma. D2-40 antibody specifically marks lymphatic endothelium and has been used for identifying lymphatic invasion (LI) in multiple cancers. We sought to determine the relationship between melanoma lymphatic invasion (as detected using D2-40 on primary melanoma biopsies/excisions) and the presence or absence of melanoma in subsequent SLN biopsy. We retrospectively evaluated LI using D2-40 on primary biopsies/excisions from patients with thin to intermediate thickness (Breslow thickness: ≤2.0 mm) melanomas, who underwent lymphatic mapping and SLN biopsy, and whose SLN status was known. Sixty-four cases met the criteria and were available for analysis. We analyzed patient age, patient sex, mitotic rate, ulceration, tumor depth, and D2-40 detected LI as predictors of SLN status. Lymphatic invasion detection increased from 3.1% using hematoxylin and eosin only to 21.9% using D2-40. Twelve of 14 patients with D2-40 LI were SLN positive (positive predictive value, 85.7%). D2-40 LI was detected in the primary biopsy specimen of 12 of 18 patients with a positive SLN (sensitivity 66.7%). Of 50 patients without D2-40 LI, 44 were SLN negative (negative predictive value, 88.0%). Of 46 SLN-negative patients, 44 did not have D2-40 LI (specificity, 95.7%). Results are retrospective and limited to SLN biopsy performed at one institution. On univariate and multivariate analysis, D2-40-detected LI was the most significant predictor of SLN status. D2-40 antibody staining to detect lymphatic invasion should be incorporated in routine melanoma biopsy evaluation.

Ultrasound of the axilla: where to look for the sentinel lymph node

The aim of this paper is to guide the radiologist to the most likely location of the sentinel lymph node (SLN). Patients with invasive breast cancer underwent axillary ultrasound examination. The position and morphological appearances of the lymph nodes were noted and core biopsy (CB) was performed of the largest or most suspicious node. Those patients whose biopsy revealed no evidence of malignancy proceeded to a surgical sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy (SLNB) looking for histopathological evidence of previous CB. Of 121 patients who underwent axillary ultrasound and CB no malignancy was identified in 73, all of whom subsequently underwent SLNB. Histological evidence of CB in the SLN was identified in 47 (64%) patients. The position of all the lymph nodes identified on ultrasound and the 47 patients whose SLNs were identified were drawn on composite diagrams of the axilla. Of the 36 nodes identified as sentinel whose position relative to other nodes could be determined, 29 (81%) represented the lowest node identified in the axilla, four (11%) were the second lowest, and three (8%) were the third lowest node. None of the four patients whose CB was from the fourth lowest node had the CB site identified at subsequent SLNB. Ultrasound of the axilla should be carried out in a systematic fashion focusing on level I nodes paying particular attention to the lowest one or two lymph nodes.