Prognostic value of the interpectoral lymph nodes in breast cancer. A 20-year survival study.
BACKGROUND
The indication and extent of axillary lymph node dissection in breast cancer remains open to controversy.


METHODS
In this context, a 20-year survival study has been made of 1600 breast cancer patients subjected during surgical treatment to systematic dissection of the acromiothoracic vascular pedicle together with the accompanying lymph nodes (Rotter and Grossman interpectoral lymph node groups). An anatomical study of these nodes was also conducted in 100 necropsies, with the evaluation of 200 acromiothoracic vascular pedicles.


RESULTS
The interpectoral lymph nodes were anatomically present in 42% of the necropsies and in 35.1% of the patients subjected to surgery. The prognosis was much worse in cases of neoplastic infiltration of the interpectoral lymph nodes (Kaplan-Meier survival study), regardless of the influence of other prognostic factors.


CONCLUSIONS
In view of the results obtained, the designation of grade N3 of the TNM classification is proposed for malignancies with positive interpectoral lymph node infiltration.
García-Vilanova Comas
A
A
Department of Surgery, Surgical Oncology Unit, Valencia University General Hospital, Spain. Andres.Garcia-Vilanova@uv.es
García Vilanova
A
A
Fuster-Diana
E
E
Martínez-Alzamora
N
N
Fernández-Tena
Jm
J
García-Vilanova Comas
J
J
García-Vilanova Comas
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001344:Autopsy / Q000379:methods; D001507:Beclomethasone; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004210:Dissection / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D015993:Life Tables; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009928:Organ Specificity; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013909:Thorax / Q000033:anatomy & histology
D001507:Beclomethasone