Molecular markers of breast axillary lymph node metastasis.
In breast cancer, axillary lymph node status is one of the most important prognostic variables and a crucial component to the staging system. Several clinico-histopathological parameters are considered to be strong predictors of metastasis; however, they fail to accurately classify breast tumors according to their clinical behavior and to predict which patients will have disease recurrence. Methods based on genome-wide microarray analyses have been used to identify molecular markers with respect to the development of axillary lymph node metastasis. Most of these markers can be detected in the primary tumors, which can potentially lead to the ability to identify patients at the time of diagnosis who are at high risk for lymph node metastasis, allowing for early intervention and more suitable adjuvant treatments.
Cavalli
Luciane R
LR
Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, 3800 Reservoir Rd, NW, LCCC-LL Room S165A, Washington, DC 20007, USA. lrc@georgetown.edu
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D011379:Prognosis; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor