Prediction of sentinel lymph node-only disease in women with invasive breast cancer.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to create a model that predicts which breast cancer patients will have sentinel lymph node (SLN)-only metastasis.


METHODS
SLN-positive breast cancer patients (N = 1,253) were analyzed. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify factors predicting SLN-only disease; a prediction rule was created.


RESULTS
Median tumor size was 2 cm. The median number of SLNs removed was 2; the median number of positive SLNs was 1. Multivariate analysis found tumor size, number of positive SLN, and proportion of SLN positive were significant predictors of SLN-only disease (P < .001). A prediction rule with 1 point being given for >1 positive SLN, 1 point for >50% of SLN positive, and up to 4 points for tumor size (T1a = 1, T1b or T1c = 2, T2 = 3, and T3 = 4) was established. Ninety-five percent of patients with 1 point had SLN-only disease (P < .0001).


CONCLUSIONS
An integer-based model may predict SLN-only disease and may be useful in determining whether completion axillary lymph node dissection is required.
Chagpar
Anees B
AB
Department of Surgery, University of Louisville, 315 East Broadway, Suite 312, Louisville, KY 40202, USA. anees.chagpar@nortonhealthcare.org <anees.chagpar@nortonhealthcare.org>
Scoggins
Charles R
CR
Martin
Robert C G
RC
Carlson
David J
DJ
Laidley
Alison L
AL
El-Eid
Souzan E
SE
McGlothin
Terre Q
TQ
McMasters
Kelly M
KM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001365:Axilla; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy