Usefulness of Breast MRI for Safe Omission of Axillary Lymph Nodes Dissection in Sentinel Node-Positive Breast Cancer Patients

Background: Preoperative identification of patients with extensive lymph node metastasis (LNM) is important for safe omission of axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) in sentinel node (SN)-positive (SN+) breast cancer patients. Methods: We evaluated retrospectively the collected data of 758 breast cancer patients who underwent axillary surgery between 2008 and 2017, excluding those who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Results: Of the 758 patients, 607 were not suspicious to have LNM by axillary ultrasound (AUS-), but 38 suspicious cases were found by breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Of 15 patients undergoing axillary fine needle biopsy (AFNA) due to second-look axillary ultrasound (AUS), 9 underwent ALND because of a positive AFNA (AFNA+). Among 81 (10.9%) patients undergoing ALND due to SN+ findings, 6 (7.4%) had extensive LNM (LNM ≥ 4). If MRI was not performed, among the 90 of 673 patients undergoing ALND who had SN+ findings, 12 (13.3%) had LNM ≥ 4. Conclusions: The proportion of cases with LNM ≥ 4 was reduced from 13.3% to 7.4% among patients undergoing SN biopsies combined with breast MRI. ALND might be omitted safely in SN+ cases according to detailed preoperative evaluations using additional breast MRI to ultrasound.

Early Results of Omitting Completion Axillary Lymph Node Dissection in Sentinel Lymph Node Metastasis-Positive Breast Cancer Patients

Background: We investigated the early results of omitting completion axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) for axillary node metastasis-negative (N0), sentinel node (SN) metastasis-positive breast cancer patients. Patients and Methods: 489 patients had invasive N0 breast cancer treated without completion ALND, regardless of their SN metastasis status. Analyses included the associations between the SN metastasis status, clinicopathological findings and recurrence, between recurrence and clinicopathological findings, and recurrence-free survival. Results: 430 patients were SN biopsy (SNB)-negative, and 59 were SNB-positive. The SNB-positive patients received significantly more potent adjuvant therapy than the SNB-negative patients. Median follow-up was 3.7 years, and the axillary node recurrence was seen in 6 patients (1.2%) and recurrence in 21 patients. The SN status showed no associations with the clinicopathological findings or recurrence. Univariate analysis showed recurrence was associated with absence of hormonal therapy, ER-negative, PgR-negative, HER2-positive or triple-negative (TNBC) disease, a tumor ≥2.1 cm and higher nuclear grade. Multivariate analysis showed recurrence was associated with absence of hormonal therapy and a tumor ≥2.1 cm. Cox proportional hazards model showed recurrence was extremely early in ER-negative and TNBC patients. Conclusion: Completion ALND can be skipped in N0 breast cancer patients even if they are SNB-positive, but adjuvant therapy is essential.

A Double-Blinded Prospective Randomised Controlled Trial to Assess the Efficacy of Glubran-2 in Reducing Seroma Formation after a Mastectomy with or without Axillary Dissection

Background and Purpose: Seroma formation is a common complication following a mastectomy and axillary surgery. Decreasing the dead space is believed to decrease seroma formation. The aim of this study is to compare the incidence of seroma formation with the use of Glubran-2 versus normal saline during the wound closure in participants undergoing mastectomy with or without axillary dissection. Methods: This multicentre, prospective, double-blinded, randomised controlled trial, enrolled women 18 years of age or older with breast cancer, who were underwent total or partial mastectomy, with or without axillary dissection. Participants were randomised to Glubran-2 or Saline arm. The primary outcome was the volume and duration of wound seroma. Secondary outcome was post-operative wound infection. Results: A total of 76 women were randomised and there was no loss to follow-up or mortality. The total seroma volume was higher in the Glubran-2 arm. The duration of seroma was higher in the mastectomy and axillary dissection group in the Glubran-2 arm (P = 0.69). Elderly and participants with higher BMI had a higher volume of seroma. Post-operative infection rate was higher in the Glubran-2 arm (13.2% vs. 5.6%;P = 0.26). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups. Conclusion: Our study did not show any benefit with the use of Glubran-2 in mastectomy and axillary surgery in reducing the risk of seroma formation. In elderly and obese participants the use of Glubran-2 showed an increase in seroma formation and post-operative wound infection.

Is It Possible to Reduce Even More Need for Axillary Dissection?

It has always been disappointing to receive a histology report after an axillary dissection (ALND) saying that the only positive lymph node was the sentinel lymph node (SLN). It is for this reason that there have been many efforts to create the best predictive model in order to avoid non sentinel node dissection and in fact there are in use many of them with a reasonable success rate. The publication of the multicenter study by Giuliano et al. showed a disease free survival and overall survival rate equal between patients with positive SLN with or without axillary dissection in a large group of patients. Breast surgeons around the world have long before been interested in reducing even more the need for axillary lymph node dissection, so they easily grasped the chance of those results and applied them in their practice. Objections have been expressed regarding the integrity of the study methods and the results which make the need for a second study to confirm those results absolutely necessary.

No Axillary Lymph Node Dissection in Breast Cancer Patients with Sentinel Lymph Node Micrometastasis

Follow-up data of a series of 75 breast cancer patients with sentinel node (SN) micrometastases only (between 0.2 and 2 mm) and favorable histopathological features of the primary tumor (well-differentiated, T1 tumors without lymphovascular invasion) who refused completion axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) or who were unsuitable for surgery were assessed in order to detect the rate of axillary recurrence after an adjuvant chemoand/or hormonal adjuvant treatment was given. The great majority of patients (81.3%) did not undergo ALND due to the existence of favorable histopathologic factors while the rest were equally distributed among over 75-year-old women (10.6%) and patients at a high surgical risk due to comorbid conditions (9.3%). Sixty-six patients (88%) underwent conservative treatment (lumpectomy followed by adjuvant breast radiotherapy) while the remaining nine patients (12%) had total mastectomy;72 out of 75 patients (96%) received some forms of adjuvant chemoand/or hormone-therapy. After a median follow-up of 38 months (range 12 - 84 months), nine out of 75 patients (12%) had a disease relapse, only one of them (1.3%) being affected by an axillary recurrence in the untreated axilla three years after primary surgery. On these grounds, completion ALND could be safely omitted in patients with SN micrometastasis and favorable histopathological characteristics of the primary neoplasm due to the very low rate of axillary recurrence with no detrimental effect on survival.

Interest of the Padding in the Prevention of Lymphocele Production after Mastectomy with Axillary Dissection for Breast Cancer at Joliot Curie Cancer Center

Introduction: The principal postoperative complication of mastectomies with axillary dissection is the lymphocele that can last many months after surgery. The purpose of our study was to prevent its formation using the padding. Methods: Sixty-one patients have been included in our study. The follow-up was 6 months. The patients were divided in two groups through a random draw (simple drainage and drainage associated with padding). All patients had a mastectomy with axillary dissection following the Madden technique. All quantities of lymphoceles during postoperative hospitalization and ambulatory care have been noted. Results: Twenty-five patients had benefited from the padding and 36 of a simple axillary drainage. Six months after the surgery, the patients benefitting from the padding had a quantity of lymphocele equal to half that of the control group (761.83 mL against 1373.60 mL;p = 0.01). During the postoperative hospitalization, the quantities were of 362.80 mL for the padding group versus 630.83 mL;p < 0.01. The hospitalization period was shorter for the padding patients (3.72 days vs 5.14 days;p = 0.01). However, pain was greater for the padding group upon 6 months (0.26 vs 0.10;p = 0.04). On another note, padding does not influence the duration of the surgery. Conclusion: The production of postoperative lymphocele is heterogenous, varying from one patient to another. Nevertheless, the padding of the mastectomy compartment and of the axillary cavity allows a noticeable reduction of the produced quantity and of the hospitalization period at the expense of more pain.

Preservation of the Intercostobrachial Nerve during Axillary Dissection for Breast Cancer at the Surgical Oncology Unit of Cancer Department of Dakar University

The intercostobrachial nerve (ICBN) is responsible for the sensory innervation of a part of the inner side of the arm. Injury of the intercostobrachial nerve is a complication of axillary dissection during lymph node dissection. Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of preservation of the intercostobrachial nerve on postoperative sensory disturbances. Methods: This is a prospective, single-center study which was carried out in 90 patients followed in the oncology department of the Aristide Le Dantec hospital in Dakar, suffering from breast cancer and having undergone breast surgery associated with axillary dissection, for a period of 6 months. The patients were divided into two groups depending on whether the intercostobrachial nerve (ICBN) was preserved or not. The two groups were compared in terms of the incidence of sensory disturbances. Results: Sixty patients without nerve preservation and 30 patients with nerve preservation were included in the study, i.e., 90 patients in total. ICBN was injured in 60 patients of which 41 patients (83.7%) developed numbness in the inner arm. While in the preserved group, only 8 patients suffered from numbness (16.3%) with a significant P value of 0.002;however, for other variables such as the incidence of neuropathic pain and hypoesthesia-like sensory deficit, there was no significant difference. Conclusion: Preservation of the intercostobrachial nerve during axillary dissection for breast cancer reduces the incidence of sensory disturbances on the upper limb.

Efficacy and prognosis of mastoscopic axillary lymph node dissection for breast cancer:a systematic evaluation and meta-analysis

Objective:To systematically evaluate the efficacy and prognosis of breast lumpectomy axillary lymphatic dissection for the treatment of breast cancer.Methods:We use computer to search PubMed,The Cochrane Library,EMBASE,Web of Science,China Knowledge Network,Wanfang database,VIP database and CBM for randomized controlled trials(RCTs)of breast lumpectomy in axillary lymphatic dissection for breast cancer.The search time frame was from the database establishment to July 2021.Meta-analysis was performed using Revman 5.4.1 software after 2 investigators independently screened the literature,extracted information,and evaluated the risk of bias of the included studies.Results:A total of 20 RCTs including 2672 patients were included.Mastoscopic axillary lymph node dissection(MALND)was used in the trial group and conventional axillary lymph node dissection(CALND)was used in the control group.The results showed that the trial group was more effective in controlling bleeding volume[MD=-54.72,95%CI(-79.73,-29.71),P<0.00001],postoperative drainage[MD=-98.99,95%CI(-128.83,-69.15),P<0.00001],length of hospital stay[MD=-2.75,95%CI(-4.67,-0.83),P=0.005],and incidence rate of adverse reaction[RR=0.30,95%CI(0.19,0.45),P<0.00001]were superior to the control group,and the differences were statistically significant.Conclusions:Current evidence suggests that MALND can achieve better outcomes compared with CALND.It is more advantageous in controlling the bleeding volume,postoperative drainage,length of hospital stays,and incidence rate of adverse events.

Axillary lymph node dissection plus radiotherapy may be an optimal strategy for patients with occult breast cancer

Background:Because of the rarity of occult breast cancer(OBC)and limited experience in OBC treatment,the optimal treatment strategy is unknown.This study aimed to compare the efficacy of axillary lymph node dissection(ALND)plus radiotherapy with that of mastectomy plus ALND in patients with OBC.Methods:Relevant clinical data between January 2004 and December 2015 were retrospectively collected from the Surveillance,Epidemiology,and End Results database.The clinical characteristics and prognoses of patients who underwent ALND plus radiotherapy or mastectomy plus ALND were compared before and after propensity score matching.Results:Overall,569 eligible patients with OBC were included in this study.Of these,247 patients underwent ALND plus radiotherapy and 322 underwent mastectomy plus ALND.The 5-year overall survival(OS)rates in the ALND plus radiotherapy group and the mastectomy plus ALND group were 89.2%and 80.6%,respectively;and the corresponding 5-year breast cancer-specific survival(BCSS)rates were 95.2%and 93.0%,respectively.After propensity score matching,the OS in the ALND plus radiotherapy group was significantly better than that in the mastectomy plus ALND group.In addition,further subgroup analyses revealed that ALND plus radiotherapy prolonged OS in the pN3 subgroup.Among patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy,those who underwent ALND plus radiotherapy had better BCSS and OS than those who underwent mastectomy plus ALND.Conclusions:ALND plus radiotherapy could improve the OS of patients with OBC,especially those with pN3 disease and those receiving chemotherapy.ALND combined with radiotherapy is the optimal treatment strategy for patients with imaging-negative OBC.

Targeted axillary dissection after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for highly selective patients with initial cN1 breast cancer:A single-center prospective trial

Background:Sentinel lymph node(SLN)biopsy is gradually accepted as the standard of care in breast cancer patients with down-staged axillary disease after neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NAC).However,it is still difficult to precisely define pre-NAC clinical node-positive(cN1)and post-NAC clinical node-negative(ycN0).This prospective single-center trial was designed to evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of standard targeted axillary dissection(TAD)after NAC in highly selective pre-NAC cN1 patients(not considering ultrasound-based axillary ycN staging).Methods:This prospective trial included patients with initial pre-NAC cT1-3N1M0 invasive breast cancer but with a rigorous definition of cN1 from the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University.When NAC was effective(including complete and partial responses)and preoperative axillary palpation was negative,preoperative ultrasound-based axillary staging was not considered,and all patients underwent TAD followed by axillary lymph node(LN)dissection.The detection rate(DR)and false-negative rate(FNR)of TAD were calculated.Results:A total of 82 patients were included,and 77 of them were eligible for data analysis.The DR for TAD was 94.8%(73/77).There were 26 patients with one abnormal LN at the time of diagnosis based on ultrasound,45 patients with two,and 2 patients with three.One patient had one TAD LN,four patients had two TAD LNs,and 68 patients had three or more TAD LNs.Preoperative axillary palpation yielded negative results for all 73 patients who successfully underwent TAD.Preoperative ultrasound-based ycN0 and ycN+conditions were detected for 52 and 21 cases,respectively.The FNR was 7.4%(2/27)for standard TAD(≥3 SLNs),which was lower than that of all successful TAD(≥1 SLN;10.0%,3/30).Conclusions:In rigorously defined pre-NAC cN1 breast cancer patients,standard TAD is feasible for those with negative axillary palpation after NAC,and FNR is also less than 10%.Registration:chictr.org.cn,ChiCTR2100049093.

Axillary lymph node management in breast cancer with positive sentinel lymph node biopsy

The surgical treatment of localized breast cancer has become progressively less aggressive over the years.The management of the axillary lymph nodes has been modified by the introduction of sentinel lymph node biopsy. Axillary dissection can be avoided in patients with sentinel lymph node negative biopsies. Based on randomized trials data, it has been proposed that no lymph node dissection should be carried out even in certain patients with sentinel lymph node positive biopsies. This commentary discusses the basis of such recommendations and cautions against a general omission of lymph node dissection in breast cancer patients with positive sentinel lymph node biopsies. Instead, an individualized approach based on axillary tumor burden and biology of the cancer should be considered.

Accuracy of Ultrasound Examination of Loco-Regional Lymph Nodes in Breast Cancer Follow-Up and Its Role in the Axillary Surgical Management

Objective: Major international guidelines have not standardized the sequence of diagnostic examinations during the follow-up of a patient with a diagnosed breast cancer. The aim of this study is to investigate the accuracy of sonography in the diagnosis of loco-regional lymphatic recurrences in comparison to the core needle biopsy results. Materials and Methods: Among 6455 patients who were followed up with clinical examination, mammography and ultrasound between January 2004 and November 2011, 125 (1.93%) patients had to be investigated with a core needle biopsy of a sonographically suspicious loco-regional lymph node. Results: Among the whole series, a total of 142 ultrasound-guided core needle biopsies were performed. Follow-up for the primary tumor lasted for a median time of 6.1 years (range 1 - 27 years). Ultrasound of suspicious loco-regional lymph nodes showed a sensitivity of 89.5%, a specificity of 87.1% and a positive predictive value of 89.5%. Conclusions: In our experience, ultrasound of suspicious loco-regional lymph nodes showed good accuracy and it should be a part of the standard examinations performed during follow-up for breast cancer.

The Risk Factors of Lymphedema in Breast Cancer Patients Post Axillary Clearance

Introduction: Breast cancer is the number one malignancy affecting females in Saudi Arabia with a prevalence of 22.4%. Breast cancer incidence increases annually due to the aid of established screening programs, leading to the discovery of breast cancer in its early stages. Surgical treatment is an integral part of early breast cancer management to achieve local control. Axillary surgical interventions such sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) and axillary lymph node clearance (ALND) aim to stage the axilla as an adjunct to the management of the primary breast tumor. In this paper, we reviewed female breast cancer patients aged 30 - 60 who underwent surgical treatment of SLNB and/or ALND with reporting the prevalence of lymphedema and other associated complications and risk factors. Methodology: A cross-sectional non-interventional study, with a sample size of 250 including breast cancer cases from 2016 to 2019 at National Guard Hospital (NGH) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Results: A total of 253 breast cancer cases were included in this study, with a mean age of 53 years, 52.7% were postmenopausal and positive family history was present among 21% of cases. Further, 90.9% of the cases had unilateral disease. Staging was as follows: stage I 14.5%, stage II 45.2%, stage III 37.1%, and stage IV 3.2%. Mastectomy was done in 73.4% cases and lumpectomy was performed in 34.1% of cases. In addition, 93.3% of patients had SLNB and 49% of them were positive. Axillary dissection was performed in 69.6% of our patients. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy were given to 71.8% and 80.4% of cases respectively. Among the chemotherapy (chemo) recipients, 40.2% received adjuvant chemo, 54.5% received neoadjuvant chemo, and the remaining 5.3% received both. Further, the most prevalent complication was pain accounting for 42.1% of total complications, and the least prevalent was cellulitis 4%. Also, seroma developed in 18.3% cases, paresthesia noted in 5.6% of cases, winged scapula was reported as 2%, weakness and necrosis were seen in 6% and 13.1% of cases respectively. Axillary vein thrombosis and lymphangiosarcoma were reported in none of the patients (0%). Lymphoedema accounted for 16.1% of overall complications, 85% of the patients who developed lymphedema had undergone ALND, and 12.9% and 14.4% received radiotherapy and chemotherapy respectively. Lymphedema was observed in breast cancer stages as follows: stage I 1.2%, stage II 7.2%, and stage III 5.2%. Patients with body mass index (BMI) of 30 - 39 kg/m2 had 7.2% prevalence of lymphedema compared to other BMI groups. Overall mortality was 8.3%. Conclusion: The findings of our study suggest that the prevalence of lymphedema was higher in ALND patients with locally advanced tumors, and higher BMI, compared to patients with stage I breast cancer and low BMI. Further, the prevalence of lymphedema in patients who underwent ALND was significantly lower than those who were treated by lumpectomy 10.3% (p-value = 0.034) in comparison to mastectomy 19.3%.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Axillary Web Syndrome:An Overview

Axillary web syndrome(AWS)is a self-limiting disease that can occur as an early or possibly late postoperative complication post-axillary surgery.This syndrome is characterized by the spread of the cords of subcutaneous tissue extending from the axilla into the arm and is clinically associated with pain and limited movement of the shoulder in the affected limb.Although its pathophysiology is not well established,the most common cause is surgery-related axillary lymphatic injury.Both the echography and magnetic resonance imaging results support the lymphatic hypothesis.The diagnosis of AWS is based on physical examination.Risk factors may include extensiveness of surgery,younger age,hypertension,lower body mass index,ethnicity,and healing complications.Effective clinical intervention shortens the natural course of AWS and improves the quality of life of patients with AWS.Treatments may include physical therapy,drug therapy,manual drainage,instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization(IASTM),thoracic manipulation and stretching,manual axial distraction,percutaneous needle cord disruption with fat grafting and Xiaflex injection,and surgical intervention.Routine surgical treatment for AWS may not be recommended.Further research is needed to provide more comprehensive improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of AWS.

保乳术联合乳腔镜腋窝淋巴结清扫术治疗早期乳腺癌的效果

目的探讨保乳术联合乳腔镜腋窝淋巴结清扫术治疗早期乳腺癌的效果。方法选取2021年9月至2022年12月淄博市妇幼保健院乳腺甲状腺外科收治的66例早期乳腺癌患者作为研究对象,按照单双号分组法分为对照组和观察组,每组各33例。对照组行保乳术联合常规腋窝淋巴结清扫术,观察组行保乳术联合乳腔镜腋窝淋巴结清扫术。比较两组肩关节活动度、并发症总发生率、引流管留置时间及术后引流量。结果术后3个月,两组肩关节活动度均小于术前,但观察组大于对照组(P<0.05)。观察组并发症总发生率低于对照组(P<0.05)。观察组引流管留置时间短于对照组,术后引流量少于对照组(P<0.05)。结论保乳术联合乳腔镜腋窝淋巴结清扫术治疗早期乳腺癌,可减少对肩关节活动度的影响,降低并发症发生率,缩短引流管留置时间,减少术后引流量,值得临床推广。

前哨淋巴结活检与腋窝淋巴结清扫术在乳腺癌手术中的应用效果

目的探讨前哨淋巴结活检与腋窝淋巴结清扫术在乳腺癌手术中的应用效果。方法回顾性分析86例女性乳腺癌患者临床资料,将术中接受前哨淋巴结活检的43例患者设为观察组,将术中接受腋窝淋巴结清扫术治疗的43例患者设为对照组。比较2组手术情况、肩关节活动度、肩关节功能、疼痛程度、免疫功能及并发症。结果观察组术中出血量[(76.52±6.29)ml]少于对照组[(89.74±7.35)ml],手术时间[(62.35±6.25)min]、拔管时间[(4.35±0.49)d]及住院时间[(8.63±1.12)d]短于对照组[(69.74±6.48)min、(5.24±0.67)d、(10.39±1.35)d],有统计学差异(P<0.05)。观察组术后外旋[(76.24±5.73)°]、内旋[(74.14±5.82)°]、屈曲[(150.32±9.82)°]、外展[(137.52±9.43)°]及肩关节Neer评分[(86.32±6.15)分]高于对照组[(68.78±5.42)°、(67.06±5.49)°、(138.97±9.37)°、(122.37±9.26)°、(80.54±6.07)分],有统计学差异(P<0.05)。观察组术后d1、d3、d7时视觉模拟评分法(VAS)评分[(5.21±1.17)分、(3.15±0.46)分、(1.42±0.29)分]低于对照组[(6.87±1.22)分、(3.87±0.52)分、(2.04±0.32)分],有统计学差异(P<0.05)。观察组术后CD3^(+)[(65.28±6.19)%]、CD4^(+)[(43.76±4.28)%]、CD4^(+)/CD8^(+)[(1.90±0.29)]高于对照组[(60.14±6.05)%、(40.15±4.19)%、(1.49±0.28)],CD8^(+)[(23.04±2.25)%]低于对照组[(26.81±2.34)%],并发症发生率低于对照组,有统计学差异(P<0.05)。结论术中进行前哨淋巴结活检可减轻对乳腺癌患者的机体创伤,降低手术对肩关节功能的影响,且对免疫功能影响更小,并发症更少。

乳腺腔镜腋窝手术中的持镜技巧及思考

目的总结与思考持镜助手在腔镜腋窝前哨淋巴结活检及淋巴结清扫术中的配合技巧,为乳腺腔镜在腋窝前哨淋巴结活检及淋巴结清扫术中的顺利开展提供理论和技术支持。方法分析2022年7月至2023年6月于南方医科大学珠江医院普通外科中心乳腺外科行腔镜腋窝手术的154例乳腺癌患者的临床资料,行腔镜腋窝前哨淋巴结活检术96例,行腔镜腋窝淋巴结清扫术58例。持镜助手术前调整镜头清晰度至最佳,并协助进行荧光前哨淋巴结定位。术中清晰暴露前哨淋巴结及其相连的淋巴管,将行腋窝淋巴结清扫者的肋间臂神经及腋静脉保持于视野水平位,镜头随超声刀移动避免误伤。结果154例均在腔镜下完成手术,无中转开放手术。腋窝前哨淋巴结活检腔镜操作时间10~46(21.02±7.03)min,腋窝淋巴结清扫腔镜操作时间30~85(59.90±14.23)min。腔镜下操作无明显出血,术中镜头清洗3~12(5.21±2.52)次。结论乳腺腔镜手术的顺利开展需要术者与持镜助手配合默契。优秀的持镜助手不仅需要熟悉乳腺及腋窝解剖结构、手术操作等基本知识,而且要掌握一定持镜配合技巧,才能有效协助术者,保证手术进程安全、高效。

前哨淋巴结活检与腋窝淋巴结清扫在早期乳腺癌根治术中的应用效果及对术后上肢功能恢复、肿瘤标志物的影响

目的探讨前哨淋巴结活检与腋窝淋巴结清扫在早期乳腺癌根治术中的应用效果及对术后上肢功能恢复、肿瘤标志物的影响。方法选取2020年1月至2023年1月收治的60例早期乳腺癌根治术患者,以随机数字表法将其分为对照组(30例,腋窝淋巴结清扫)和观察组(30例,前哨淋巴结活检)。比较两组的治疗效果。结果术后6个月,观察组的上臂周径小于对照组,肩关节活动度、肩关节功能评分高于对照组(P<0.05)。术后6个月,两组的癌胚抗原(CEA)、糖类抗原153(CA153)、组织多肽抗原(TPA)水平低于术前(P<0.05)。观察组的并发症总发生率低于对照组(P<0.05)。术后6个月,观察组的CD3^(+)、CD4^(+)高于对照组,CD8^(+)低于对照组(P<0.05)。结论前哨淋巴结活检与腋窝淋巴结清扫对早期乳腺癌根治术患者血清肿瘤标志物的影响相近,不过前哨淋巴结活检有助于促进患者术后上肢功能恢复,降低并发症发生率,改善免疫功能。

Can axillary radiotherapy replace axillary dissection for patients with positive sentinel nodes? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: To compare the efficacy of axillary radiotherapy (ART) with that of completion axillary lymph node dissection (cALND) in clinically node-negative breast cancer patients with a positive sentinel lymph node. Methods: A literature search was performed in PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library by using the search terms 'breast cancer', 'sentinel lymph node biopsy', 'axillary radiotherapy' or 'regional node irradiation' for articles published between 2004 and 2016. Only randomized controlled trials that included patients with positive sentinel nodes were included in the meta-analysis. Results: Two randomized controlled trials and three retrospective studies were identified. The reported overall survival rate (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.09, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.75-1.43, P = 0.365), disease-free survival rate (HR = 1.01, 95% CI:0.58-1.45, P = 0.144), and axillary recurrence rate (1.2% and 0.4%, and 1.3% and 0.8%, respectively) were similar in both groups. The absence of knowledge on the extent of nodal involvement in the ART group appeared to have no major impact on the administration of adjuvant systemic therapy. Conclusions: ART is not inferior to cALND in the patients with clinically node-negative breast cancer who had a positive sentinel lymph node. Information obtained by using cALND after SLNB may have no major impact on the administration of adjuvant systemic therapy.

Clinicopathological features,psychological status,and prognosis of 33 patients with occult breast cancer

BACKGROUND Occult breast cancer(OBC)has traditionally been considered to be a carcinoma of unknown primary origin with a favorable prognosis and can be treated as stage II-III breast cancer.Due to the small number of cases and limited clinical experience,treatments vary greatly around the world and no standardized treatment has yet been established.AIM To investigate the clinicopathological features,psychological status and prognostic features of patients with OBC.METHODS The clinicopathological data of 33 OBC patients diagnosed and treated in the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University and Xuzhou Central Hospital from November 2015 to November 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.The psychological status of OBC patients was evaluated by the Self-rating Anxiety Scale and Self-rating Depression Scale.Patients’emotions,stress perception and psychological resilience were evaluated by the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule,the Chinese Perceived Stress Scale,and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale(CD-RISC),respectively.Patient survival was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method,and survival curves were plotted for analysis with the log-rank test.Univariate and multivariate survival analyses were performed using the Cox regression model.RESULTS The 33 OBC patients included 32 females and 1 male.Of the 33 patients,30(91%)had axillary tumors,3(9%)had a neck mass as the primary symptom;18(54.5%)had estrogen receptor-positive tumors,17(51.5%)had progesterone receptor-positive tumors,and 18(54.5%)had Her-2-positive tumors;24(72.7%)received surgical treatment,including 18 patients who underwent modified radical mastectomy,1 patient who underwent breast-conserving surgery plus axillary lymph node dissection(ALND),and 5 patients who underwent ALND alone;12 patients received preoperative neoadjuvant therapy.All 30 patients developed anxiety and depression,with low positive affect scores and high negative affect scores,accompanied by a high stress level and poor psychological resilience.There were no differences in the psychological status of patients according to age,body mass index,or menopausal status.The overall survival and disease-free survival(DFS)of all the patients were 83.3%and 55.7%,respectively.Univariate analysis demonstrated that the initial tumor site(P=0.021)and node stage(P=0.020)were factors that may affect patient prognosis.The 5-year DFS rate of OBC patients who received radiotherapy was greater(P<0.001),while the use of different surgical methods(P=0.687)had no statistically significant effect on patient outcomes.Multivariate analysis revealed that radiotherapy(P=0.031)was an independent prognostic factor.Receiving radiotherapy had a significant effect on the CD-RISC score(P=0.02).CONCLUSION OBC is a rare breast disease whose diagnosis and treatment are currently controversial.There was no significant difference in the efficacy of other less invasive surgical procedures compared to those of modified radical mastectomy.In addition,radiotherapy can significantly improve patient outcomes.We should pay attention to the psychological state of patients while they receive antitumor therapy.