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01-06-2007

Association of the Presence of Bone Marrow Micrometastases with the Sentinel Lymph Node Status in 410 Early Stage Breast Cancer Patients: Results of the Swiss Multicenter Study

Authors: Igor Langer, MD, Ulrich Guller, MD, MHS, Ossi R. Koechli, MD, Gilles Berclaz, MD, Gad Singer, MD, Gabriel Schaer, MD, Mathias K. Fehr, MD, Thomas Hess, MD, Daniel Oertli, MD, FACS, Lucio Bronz, MD, Beate Schnarwyler, MD, Edward Wight, MD, Urs Uehlinger, MD, Eduard Infanger, MD, Daniel Burger, MD, Markus Zuber, MD

Published in: Annals of Surgical Oncology | Issue 6/2007

Abstract

Background

The sentinel lymph node (SLN) status has proven to accurately reflect the remaining axillary lymph nodes and represents the most important prognostic factor. It is unknown whether an association exists between the SLN status and the presence of bone marrow (BM) micrometastases. The objective of the present investigation was to evaluate whether or not such an association exists.

Methods

In the present investigation 410 patients with early stage breast cancer (pT1 and pT2 ≤3cm, cN0) were prospectively enrolled between 1/2000 and 12/2003. All patients underwent SLN biopsy and bone marrow aspiration. The histological examination of the SLN consisted of step sectioning, H&E, and immunohistochemistry (Lu-5, CK 22) staining. Cancer cells in the BM were stained with monoclonal antibodies A45-B/B3 against cytokeratin and counted by an automated computerized digital microscope.

Results

BM micrometastases were detected in 28.8% (118/410) of all patients. The SLN contained metastases in 32.4% (133/410). Overall 51.2% of the patients (210/410) were SLN negative/BM negative and 12.4% (51/410) SLN positive/BM positive. Of all patients, 16.4% (67/410) were SLN negative/BM positive and 20.0% (82/410) SLN positive/BM negative. There was a statistically significant association between the SLN and BM status, both in unadjusted (Fisher’s exact test: P = .004) and multiple logistic regression analysis (P = .007).

Conclusions

In the present investigation a significant association was found between a positive SLN status and the presence of BM micrometastases. Nonetheless, the percentage of non-concordance (SLN negative/BM positive and SLN positive/BM negative) was considerable. The prognostic impact of BM micrometastases in our patient sample remains to be evaluated.

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Title: Association of the Presence of Bone Marrow Micrometastases with the Sentinel Lymph Node Status in 410 Early Stage Breast Cancer Patients: Results of the Swiss Multicenter Study
Authors: Igor Langer, MD
Ulrich Guller, MD, MHS
Ossi R. Koechli, MD
Gilles Berclaz, MD
Gad Singer, MD
Gabriel Schaer, MD
Mathias K. Fehr, MD
Thomas Hess, MD
Daniel Oertli, MD, FACS
Lucio Bronz, MD
Beate Schnarwyler, MD
Edward Wight, MD
Urs Uehlinger, MD
Eduard Infanger, MD
Daniel Burger, MD
Markus Zuber, MD
Publication date: 01-06-2007
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Annals of Surgical Oncology / Issue 6/2007
Print ISSN: 1068-9265
Electronic ISSN: 1534-4681
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-006-9193-7

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Association of the Presence of Bone Marrow Micrometastases with the Sentinel Lymph Node Status in 410 Early Stage Breast Cancer Patients: Results of the Swiss Multicenter Study

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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