title: Tumor and breast volume ratio as a predictive factor for axillary lymph node metastases in T1c ductal invasive breast cancer: prospective observational clinico-pathological study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The status of the axilla is the single most important prognostic indicator of overall survival in patients with breast cancer. Sentinel-node biopsy has false-negative rates of 5-10%. The aim of this study was to assess the importance of tumor and breast volume ratio as a predictive factor for axillary lymph node metastases in patients with T1c ductal invasive breast cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study included 136 consecutive patients with T1c ductal invasive breast cancer. Three tumor diameters were measured. Tumor volume was calculated by the formula for ellipse. Breast volume was measured preoperatively. Tumor and breast volume ratio was calculated and shown per thousand.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Tumor and breast volume ratio is a new independent predictive factor for axillary lymph node metastase in T1c ductal invasive breast cancer.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This predictive factor could help to define a subgroup of patients who will be at a higher risk for axillary lymph node metastase and would benefit from additional close follow up or axillary lymph node dissection.
authors: Department for Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, University Hospital 'Dubrava', A. Gojka Suška 6, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia. kmartic@kbd.hr
authors: Krešimir
authors: K
authors: Martić
authors: Zlatko
authors: Z
authors: Vlajčić
authors: Franjo
authors: F
authors: Rudman
authors: Smiljka
authors: S
authors: Lambaša
authors: Čedna
authors: Č
authors: Tomasović-Lončarić
authors: Zdenko
authors: Z
authors: Stanec
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001365:Axilla; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000473:pathology*; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D018579:Patient Selection; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; D013624:Taiwan; D047368:Tumor Burden