Extracapsular extension in positive axillary lymph nodes in female breast cancer patients. Patterns of failure and indications for postoperative locoregional irradiation.
OBJECTIVE
There has been little information regarding lymph node-positive breast cancer patients with extracapsular extension (ECE). The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of ECE in predicting survival and relapse rates.


METHODS
From 1994-2002, 1,078 lymph node-positive women with breast carcinoma were treated at our institution, whereas 301 patients (27.9%) presented with ECE. 91 patients (30.2%) were identified as having three or less lymph nodes involved, 27.9% patients four to six, 15.6% patients seven to nine, and 26.2% patients ten or more nodes, respectively. The median age was 58.4 years (range: 28-84 years) and the median follow-up 34 months (range: 2-99 months). Nodal irradiation was given to patients with four or more positive lymph nodes. Chemotherapy was administered to 69.8%, hormonal therapy to 53.2%, and combined systemic treatment to 26% of patients.


RESULTS
The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival (OS) was 98%, 84%, and 73%, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) 95%, 69%, and 58%, and the 1-, 3-, and 5-year metastasis-free survival (MFS) 96%, 73%, and 60%. The relapse rates were 6.6% (local), 0.3% (supraclavicular), 0.7% (isolated axillary), 1% (local + axillary), and 0.7% (local + supraclavicular), respectively. 81 patients (27%) developed distant metastases. In December 2002, 245 patients (81.4%) were alive, 202/245 without progression, 32/245 with distant metastases, 5/245 with local/locoregional recurrence, and 6/245 patients with local and distant failure.


CONCLUSIONS
Isolated axillary nodal failure remains low in lymph node-positive patients with ECE. Balancing the risks and benefits of irradiation, we continue to recommend that complete axillary irradiation is not routinely indicated after adequate axillary dissection.
Stranzl
Heidi
H
Department of Radiotherapy, University Medical School, Graz, Austria. heidi.stranzl@klinikum-graz.at
Mayer
Ramona
R
Ofner
Petra
P
Peintinger
Florentia
F
Prettenhofer
Ulrike
U
Hackl
Arnulf
A
D002288:Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D044584:Carcinoma, Ductal / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D018275:Carcinoma, Lobular / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D015182:Lymphatic Irradiation; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D015411:Mastectomy, Modified Radical; D015412:Mastectomy, Segmental; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D015996:Survival Rate