Scientific Presentation Award: The combination of axillary ultrasound and ultrasound-guided biopsy is an accurate predictor of axillary stage in clinically node-negative breast cancer patients.
BACKGROUND
The study aim was to determine the accuracy of axillary ultrasound (AUS) and fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB)/needle core biopsy in axillary breast cancer staging.


METHODS
We reviewed 256 patients with clinically node-negative breast cancer who underwent AUS +/- FNAB/needle core biopsy. AUS-guided FNAB/needle core biopsy was compared with histopathology to determine sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value.


RESULTS
AUS-guided FNAB/needle core biopsy and final pathology were positive in 72 of 256 patients (28%). In 125 of 256 cases (49%), the AUS and final pathology were negative. Two of 110 patients had a false-positive FNAB (1.8%); both received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Nine patients (8%) had a false-negative FNAB/needle core biopsy; the median size of lymph node metastasis was 3 mm. The sensitivity and specificity of AUS-guided FNAB/needle core biopsy was 71% and 99%, respectively, with a negative predictive value of 84% and a positive predictive value of 97%.


CONCLUSIONS
AUS-guided FNAB/needle core biopsy is accurate in predicting the status of the axilla in 70% of clinically node-negative breast cancer patients. This technique is minimally invasive with a low complication rate and can obviate the need for staged lymph node procedures.
Holwitt
Dana M
DM
Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave., Campus Box 8109, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
Swatske
Mary Ellen
ME
Gillanders
William E
WE
Monsees
Barbara S
BS
Gao
Feng
F
Aft
Rebecca L
RL
Eberlein
Timothy J
TJ
Margenthaler
Julie A
JA
D001365:Axilla; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009367:Neoplasm Staging / Q000379:methods*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional; D016217:Ultrasonography, Mammary