Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Annals of Surgical Oncology 11/2014

01-10-2014 | Breast Oncology

Predicting the Extent of Nodal Disease in Early-Stage Breast Cancer

Authors: Abigail S. Caudle, MD, MS, Henry M. Kuerer, MD, PhD, Huong T. Le-Petross, MD, Wei Yang, MD, Min Yi, MD, PhD, Isabelle Bedrosian, MD, Savitri Krishnamurthy, MD, Bruno D. Fornage, MD, Kelly K. Hunt, MD, Elizabeth A. Mittendorf, MD, PhD

Published in: Annals of Surgical Oncology | Issue 11/2014

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

The role of regional nodal ultrasound (US) has been questioned since publication of the American College of Surgeons Oncology Group (ACOSOG) Z0011 data. The goal of this study was to determine if imaging and clinicopathologic features could predict the extent of axillary nodal involvement in breast cancer.

Study Design

Patients with T1–T2 tumors who underwent regional nodal US and axillary lymph node dissection from 2002 to 2012 were identified from a prospective database excluding those who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Patients whose metastases were identified by US confirmed by needle biopsy were compared with those identified by sentinel lymph node dissection (SLND) after a negative US.

Results

Metastases were identified by US in 190 patients, and by SLND in 518 patients. SLND patients had fewer positive nodes (2.2 vs. 4.1; p < 0.0001), smaller metastases (5.3 vs. 13.8 mm; p < 0.0001), and a lower incidence of extranodal extension (24 vs. 53 %; p < 0.0001) than the US group. Even when US identified ≤2 abnormal nodes, patients were still more likely to have ≥3 positive nodes (45 %) than SLND patients (19 %; p < 0.001). After adjusting for tumor size, receptor status, and histology, multivariate analysis revealed that metastases identified by US [odds ratio (OR) 4.01; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 2.75–5.84] and lobular histology (OR 1.77; 95 % CI 1.06–2.95) predicted having ≥3 positive nodes.

Conclusions

Imaging and clinicopathologic features can be used to predict the extent of nodal involvement. Patients with US-detected metastases, even if small volume, have a higher burden of nodal involvement than patients with SLND-detected metastases and may not be comparable with patients in the ACOSOG Z0011 trial.
Literature
1.
go back to reference National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). Clinical practice guidelines in oncology: breast. Version 2012. NCCN; 2012. National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). Clinical practice guidelines in oncology: breast. Version 2012. NCCN; 2012.
2.
go back to reference Giuliano, A, Hunt K, Ballman K, et al. Axillary dissection vs. no axillary dissection in women with invasive breast cancer and sentinel node metastasis. JAMA. 2011;305(6):569–575.PubMedCrossRef Giuliano, A, Hunt K, Ballman K, et al. Axillary dissection vs. no axillary dissection in women with invasive breast cancer and sentinel node metastasis. JAMA. 2011;305(6):569–575.PubMedCrossRef
3.
go back to reference Giuliano A, McCall L, Beitsch P, et al. Locoregional recurrence after sentinel lymph node dissection with or without axillary dissection in patients with sentinel lymph node metastases: the American College of Surgeons Oncology Group Z0011 randomized trial. Ann Surg. 2010;252(3):426–32.PubMed Giuliano A, McCall L, Beitsch P, et al. Locoregional recurrence after sentinel lymph node dissection with or without axillary dissection in patients with sentinel lymph node metastases: the American College of Surgeons Oncology Group Z0011 randomized trial. Ann Surg. 2010;252(3):426–32.PubMed
4.
go back to reference Galimberti V, Cole B, Zurrida S, et al. Axillary dissection versus no axillary dissection in patients with sentinel-node micrometastases (IBCSG 23-01): a phase 3 randomised controlled trial. Lancet Oncol. 2013;14(4):297–305.PubMedCrossRefPubMedCentral Galimberti V, Cole B, Zurrida S, et al. Axillary dissection versus no axillary dissection in patients with sentinel-node micrometastases (IBCSG 23-01): a phase 3 randomised controlled trial. Lancet Oncol. 2013;14(4):297–305.PubMedCrossRefPubMedCentral
5.
go back to reference Caudle A, Hunt K, Tucker S, et al. American College of Surgeons Oncology Group (ACOSOG) Z0011: impact on surgeon practice patterns. Ann Surg Oncol. 2012;19(10):3144–51.PubMedCrossRef Caudle A, Hunt K, Tucker S, et al. American College of Surgeons Oncology Group (ACOSOG) Z0011: impact on surgeon practice patterns. Ann Surg Oncol. 2012;19(10):3144–51.PubMedCrossRef
6.
go back to reference Gainer S, Hunt K, Beitsch P, Caudle A, Mittendorf E, Lucci A. Changing behavior in clinical practice in response to the ACOSOG Z0011 trial: a survey of the American Society of Breast Surgeons. Ann Surg Oncol. 2012;19(10):3152–8.PubMedCrossRef Gainer S, Hunt K, Beitsch P, Caudle A, Mittendorf E, Lucci A. Changing behavior in clinical practice in response to the ACOSOG Z0011 trial: a survey of the American Society of Breast Surgeons. Ann Surg Oncol. 2012;19(10):3152–8.PubMedCrossRef
7.
go back to reference van Rijk M, Deurloo E, Nieweg O, et al. Ultrasonography and fine-needle aspiration cytology can spare breast cancer patients unnecessary sentinel lymph node biopsy. Ann Surg Oncol. 2006;13(1):31–5.PubMedCrossRef van Rijk M, Deurloo E, Nieweg O, et al. Ultrasonography and fine-needle aspiration cytology can spare breast cancer patients unnecessary sentinel lymph node biopsy. Ann Surg Oncol. 2006;13(1):31–5.PubMedCrossRef
8.
go back to reference Boughey J, Moriarty J, Degnim A, Gregg M, Egginton J, Long K. Cost modeling of preoperative axillary ultrasound and fine-needle aspiration to guide surgery for invasive breast cancer. Ann Surg Oncol. 2010;17(4):953–8.PubMedCrossRefPubMedCentral Boughey J, Moriarty J, Degnim A, Gregg M, Egginton J, Long K. Cost modeling of preoperative axillary ultrasound and fine-needle aspiration to guide surgery for invasive breast cancer. Ann Surg Oncol. 2010;17(4):953–8.PubMedCrossRefPubMedCentral
9.
go back to reference Krishnamurthy S, Sneige N, Bedi D, et al. Role of ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of indeterminate and suspicious axillary lymph nodes in the initial staging of breast carcinoma. Cancer. 2002;95(5):982–8.PubMedCrossRef Krishnamurthy S, Sneige N, Bedi D, et al. Role of ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of indeterminate and suspicious axillary lymph nodes in the initial staging of breast carcinoma. Cancer. 2002;95(5):982–8.PubMedCrossRef
10.
go back to reference Rao R, Lilley L, Andrews V, Radford L, Ulissay M. Axillary staging by percutaneous biopsy: sensitivity of fine-needle aspiration versus core needle biopsy. Ann Surg Oncol. 2009;16(5):1170–5.PubMedCrossRef Rao R, Lilley L, Andrews V, Radford L, Ulissay M. Axillary staging by percutaneous biopsy: sensitivity of fine-needle aspiration versus core needle biopsy. Ann Surg Oncol. 2009;16(5):1170–5.PubMedCrossRef
11.
go back to reference Kwak H, Chae B, Bae J, et al. Feasibility of sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer patients clinically suspected of axillary lymph node metastasis on preoperative imaging. World J Surg Oncol. 2013;21(11):104.CrossRef Kwak H, Chae B, Bae J, et al. Feasibility of sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer patients clinically suspected of axillary lymph node metastasis on preoperative imaging. World J Surg Oncol. 2013;21(11):104.CrossRef
12.
go back to reference Leenders M, Broeders M, Croese C, et al. Ultrasound and fine needle aspiration cytology of axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer. To do or not to do? Breast. 2012;21(4):578–83.PubMedCrossRef Leenders M, Broeders M, Croese C, et al. Ultrasound and fine needle aspiration cytology of axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer. To do or not to do? Breast. 2012;21(4):578–83.PubMedCrossRef
13.
go back to reference Cserni G, Bianchi S, Vezzosi V, et al. The value of cytokeratin immunohistochemistry in the evaluation of axillary sentinel lymph nodes in patients with lobular breast carcinoma. J Clin Pathol. 2006;59(5):518–22.PubMedCrossRefPubMedCentral Cserni G, Bianchi S, Vezzosi V, et al. The value of cytokeratin immunohistochemistry in the evaluation of axillary sentinel lymph nodes in patients with lobular breast carcinoma. J Clin Pathol. 2006;59(5):518–22.PubMedCrossRefPubMedCentral
14.
go back to reference Mittendorf E, Sahin A, Tucker S, et al. Lymphovascular invasion and lobular histology are associated with increased incidence of isolated tumor cells in sentinel lymph nodes from early-stage breast cancer patients. Ann Surg Oncol. 2008;15(12):3369–77.PubMedCrossRef Mittendorf E, Sahin A, Tucker S, et al. Lymphovascular invasion and lobular histology are associated with increased incidence of isolated tumor cells in sentinel lymph nodes from early-stage breast cancer patients. Ann Surg Oncol. 2008;15(12):3369–77.PubMedCrossRef
15.
go back to reference Park S, Kim M, Park B, Moon H, Kwak J, Kim E. Impact of preoperative ultrasonography and fine-needle aspiration of axillary lymph nodes on surgical management of primary breast cancer. Ann Surg Oncol. 2011;18(3):738–44.PubMedCrossRef Park S, Kim M, Park B, Moon H, Kwak J, Kim E. Impact of preoperative ultrasonography and fine-needle aspiration of axillary lymph nodes on surgical management of primary breast cancer. Ann Surg Oncol. 2011;18(3):738–44.PubMedCrossRef
16.
go back to reference Baruah B, Goyal A, Young P, Douglas-Jones A, Mansel R. Axillary node staging by ultrasonography and fine-needle aspiration cytology in patients with breast cancer. Br J Surg. 2010;97(5):680–3.PubMedCrossRef Baruah B, Goyal A, Young P, Douglas-Jones A, Mansel R. Axillary node staging by ultrasonography and fine-needle aspiration cytology in patients with breast cancer. Br J Surg. 2010;97(5):680–3.PubMedCrossRef
17.
go back to reference Mittendorf E, Boughey J, Bassett R, et al. Incorporation of sentinel lymph node metastasis size into a nomogram predicting nonSLN involvement in breast cancer patients with a positive sentinel lymph node. Ann Surg. 2012;255(1):109–115.PubMedCrossRef Mittendorf E, Boughey J, Bassett R, et al. Incorporation of sentinel lymph node metastasis size into a nomogram predicting nonSLN involvement in breast cancer patients with a positive sentinel lymph node. Ann Surg. 2012;255(1):109–115.PubMedCrossRef
18.
go back to reference Van Zee K. Manasseh D, Bevilacqua J, et al. A nomogram for predicting the likelihood of additional nodal metastases in breast cancer patients with a positive sentinel node biopsy. Ann Surg Oncol. 2003;10(10):1140–51.PubMedCrossRef Van Zee K. Manasseh D, Bevilacqua J, et al. A nomogram for predicting the likelihood of additional nodal metastases in breast cancer patients with a positive sentinel node biopsy. Ann Surg Oncol. 2003;10(10):1140–51.PubMedCrossRef
19.
go back to reference Hieken T, Trull B, Boughey J, Jones K, Reynolds C, Shah S, et al. Preoperative axillary imaging with percutaneous lymph node biopsy is valuable in the contemporary management of patients with breast cancer. Surgery. 2013;154(4):831–40.PubMedCrossRef Hieken T, Trull B, Boughey J, Jones K, Reynolds C, Shah S, et al. Preoperative axillary imaging with percutaneous lymph node biopsy is valuable in the contemporary management of patients with breast cancer. Surgery. 2013;154(4):831–40.PubMedCrossRef
20.
go back to reference Huang E, Tucker S, Strom E, et al. Postmastectomy radiation improves local-regional control and survival for selected patients with locally advanced breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and mastectomy. J Clin Oncol. 2004;22(23):4691–9.PubMedCrossRef Huang E, Tucker S, Strom E, et al. Postmastectomy radiation improves local-regional control and survival for selected patients with locally advanced breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and mastectomy. J Clin Oncol. 2004;22(23):4691–9.PubMedCrossRef
21.
go back to reference Truong P, Olivotto I, Kader H, Panades M, Speers C, Berthelet E. Selecting breast cancer patients with T1–T2 tumors and one to three positive axillary nodes at high postmastectomy locoregional recurrence risk for adjuvant radiotherapy. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2005;51(5):1337–47.CrossRef Truong P, Olivotto I, Kader H, Panades M, Speers C, Berthelet E. Selecting breast cancer patients with T1–T2 tumors and one to three positive axillary nodes at high postmastectomy locoregional recurrence risk for adjuvant radiotherapy. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2005;51(5):1337–47.CrossRef
22.
go back to reference Whelan T, Olivotto I, Ackerman I, et al. NCIC-CTG MA.20: an intergroup trial of regional nodal irradiation in early breast cancer (abstract LBA1003). J Clin Oncol. 2011;29(18 Suppl). Whelan T, Olivotto I, Ackerman I, et al. NCIC-CTG MA.20: an intergroup trial of regional nodal irradiation in early breast cancer (abstract LBA1003). J Clin Oncol. 2011;29(18 Suppl).
23.
go back to reference Dominici L, Mittendorf E, Wang X, et al. Implications of constructed biologic subtype and its relationship to locoregional recurrence following mastectomy. Breast Cancer Res. 2012;14(3):R82.PubMedCrossRefPubMedCentral Dominici L, Mittendorf E, Wang X, et al. Implications of constructed biologic subtype and its relationship to locoregional recurrence following mastectomy. Breast Cancer Res. 2012;14(3):R82.PubMedCrossRefPubMedCentral
24.
go back to reference Caudle A, Hunt K, Kuerer H, et al. Multidisciplinary considerations in the implementation of the findings from the American College of Surgeons Oncology Group (ACOSOG) Z0011 study: a practice-changing trial. Ann Surg Oncol. 2011;19(8):2407–12.CrossRef Caudle A, Hunt K, Kuerer H, et al. Multidisciplinary considerations in the implementation of the findings from the American College of Surgeons Oncology Group (ACOSOG) Z0011 study: a practice-changing trial. Ann Surg Oncol. 2011;19(8):2407–12.CrossRef
25.
go back to reference Nguyen P, Taghian A, Katz M, et al. Breast cancer subtype approximated by estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and HER-2 is associated with local and distant recurrence after breast-conserving therapy. J Clin Oncol. 2008;26(14):2373–8.PubMedCrossRef Nguyen P, Taghian A, Katz M, et al. Breast cancer subtype approximated by estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and HER-2 is associated with local and distant recurrence after breast-conserving therapy. J Clin Oncol. 2008;26(14):2373–8.PubMedCrossRef
26.
go back to reference Voduc K, Cheang M, Tyldesley S, Gelmon K, Nielson T, Kennecke H. Breast cancer subtypes and the risk of local and regional relapse. J Clin Oncol. 2010;28(10):1684–91.PubMedCrossRef Voduc K, Cheang M, Tyldesley S, Gelmon K, Nielson T, Kennecke H. Breast cancer subtypes and the risk of local and regional relapse. J Clin Oncol. 2010;28(10):1684–91.PubMedCrossRef
27.
go back to reference Dowsett M, Dunbier A. Emerging biomarkers and new understanding of traditional markers in personalized therapy for breast cancer. Clin Cancer Res. 2008;14(24):8019–26.PubMedCrossRef Dowsett M, Dunbier A. Emerging biomarkers and new understanding of traditional markers in personalized therapy for breast cancer. Clin Cancer Res. 2008;14(24):8019–26.PubMedCrossRef
28.
go back to reference Kim M, Ro J, Ahn S, Kim H, Gong G. Clinicopathologic significance of the basal-like subtype of breast cancer: a comparison with hormone receptor and Her2/neu-overexpressing phenotypes. Hum Pathol. 2006;37(9):1217–26.PubMedCrossRef Kim M, Ro J, Ahn S, Kim H, Gong G. Clinicopathologic significance of the basal-like subtype of breast cancer: a comparison with hormone receptor and Her2/neu-overexpressing phenotypes. Hum Pathol. 2006;37(9):1217–26.PubMedCrossRef
Metadata
Title
Predicting the Extent of Nodal Disease in Early-Stage Breast Cancer
Authors
Abigail S. Caudle, MD, MS
Henry M. Kuerer, MD, PhD
Huong T. Le-Petross, MD
Wei Yang, MD
Min Yi, MD, PhD
Isabelle Bedrosian, MD
Savitri Krishnamurthy, MD
Bruno D. Fornage, MD
Kelly K. Hunt, MD
Elizabeth A. Mittendorf, MD, PhD
Publication date
01-10-2014
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Annals of Surgical Oncology / Issue 11/2014
Print ISSN: 1068-9265
Electronic ISSN: 1534-4681
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-014-3813-4

Other articles of this Issue 11/2014

Annals of Surgical Oncology 11/2014 Go to the issue