Predictors of positive axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer patients with metastatic sentinel lymph node.
BACKGROUND
Breast cancer with metastatic sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) may have clinico-pathologic factors associated with the presence of positive non-sentinel axillary nodes (NSLN). The aim of the present study was to determine factors that predict involvement of NSLN in breast cancer patients with positive SLN.


METHODS
A prospective database search identified 80 patients who underwent SLN biopsy for invasive breast cancer between January 1999 and August 2002. Clinico-pathologic data was analyzed to determine factors that predicted additional positive axillary nodes.


RESULTS
A total of 23 patients had positive SLN and underwent conventional axillary lymph node dissection. Statistical analysis revealed that lympho-vascular invasion (p~0.00000), SLN metastasis >2 mm (p=0.002), and the presence of extra-nodal involvement (p=0.002), were positive predictors of the metastatic involvement of NSLN.


CONCLUSIONS
The likelihood of positive NSLN correlates with pathologic parameters such as the presence of lympho-vascular invasion, size of the SLN metastasis, and extra-nodal involvement. These data may be helpful with the regard to the decision to undertake axillary dissection in breast cancer patients with metastatic sentinel lymph nodes.
Callejo
Isabel Peixoto
IP
Department of Surgery, Portuguese Institute of Cancer, Lisbon, Portugal. ijcallejo@netcabo.pt
Brito
José Américo
JA
Bivar
José Wheinholtz
JW
Fernandes
Fernando Jesus
FJ
Faria
João Leal
JL
André
María Saudade
MS
Costa
Carlos Santos
CS
Almeida
M Odette
MO
Meneses e Sousa
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001365:Axilla; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy