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Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Aug 2023: Breast cancer (BC) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and accurate assessment of axillary lymph nodes (ALNs) is crucial for patient management... (Review)
Review
: Breast cancer (BC) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and accurate assessment of axillary lymph nodes (ALNs) is crucial for patient management and outcomes. We aim to summarize the current state of ALN assessment techniques in BC and provide insights into future directions. : This review discusses various imaging techniques used for ALN evaluation, including ultrasound, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography. It highlights advancements in these techniques and their potential to improve diagnostic accuracy. The review also examines landmark clinical trials that have influenced axillary management, such as the Z0011 trial and the IBCSG 23-01 trial. The role of artificial intelligence (AI), specifically deep learning algorithms, in improving ALN assessment is examined. : The review outlines the key findings of these trials, which demonstrated the feasibility of avoiding axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) in certain patient populations with low sentinel lymph node (SLN) burden. It also discusses ongoing trials, including the SOUND trial, which investigates the use of axillary ultrasound to identify patients who can safely avoid sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). Furthermore, the potential of emerging techniques and the integration of AI in enhancing ALN assessment accuracy are presented. : The review concludes that advancements in ALN assessment techniques have the potential to improve patient outcomes by reducing surgical complications while maintaining accurate disease staging. However, challenges such as standardization of imaging protocols and interpretation criteria need to be addressed. Future research should focus on large-scale clinical trials to validate emerging techniques and establish their efficacy and cost-effectiveness. Over-all, this review provides valuable insights into the current status and future directions of ALN assessment in BC, highlighting opportunities for improving patient care.
Topics: Humans; Female; Breast Neoplasms; Lymphatic Metastasis; Artificial Intelligence; Lymph Nodes; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; Lymph Node Excision; Axilla
PubMed: 37763661
DOI: 10.3390/medicina59091544 -
Breast Cancer Research and Treatment Apr 2024Targeted axillary dissection (TAD) for the axillary staging of clinically node-positive (cN +) breast cancer patients converting to clinically node negative post...
PURPOSE
Targeted axillary dissection (TAD) for the axillary staging of clinically node-positive (cN +) breast cancer patients converting to clinically node negative post neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), has gained popularity due to its minimal false negative rate and low arm morbidity. The aim of this study is to shed more light on the variation in the clinical practice globally in terms of indications and perceived limitations of TAD.
METHODS
A panel of expert breast surgeons constructed a structured questionnaire comprising of 18 questions and asked surgeons worldwide for their opinions and routine practice on TAD. The questionnaire was electronically distributed and answers were collected between May 1st and August 1st 2022.
RESULTS
Responses included 137 entries from 36 countries. Of them, 73.7% consider TAD for cN + patients planned to receive NAC. Among them, the greatest number of respondents (45%) perform the procedure for tumours up to T3, whereas 27% regardless of T-stage. The majority (42%) perform TAD on patients with 1-3 positive nodes and only 30% consider TAD when matted nodes are present. HER2 positive and Triple Negative subtypes are more likely to undergo TAD than Luminal A and B (86%, 79.1%, 39.5%, and 62.8%, respectively). Maximum acceptable lymph node burden is median 3 nodes for any subtype with a tendency to accept more positive nodes for Triple Negative.
CONCLUSION
This study demonstrates the differences in current practice regarding TAD as well as the fact that the biology of the tumour heavily affects the method of axillary staging.
Topics: Humans; Female; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; Breast Neoplasms; Neoplasm Staging; Lymph Node Excision; Lymph Nodes; Neoadjuvant Therapy; Axilla
PubMed: 38175449
DOI: 10.1007/s10549-023-07204-7 -
BMC Surgery Jul 2023This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to study the evidence on the efficacy and safety of omitting axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) for patients with... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Efficacy and safety comparison between axillary lymph node dissection with no axillary surgery in patients with sentinel node-positive breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to study the evidence on the efficacy and safety of omitting axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) for patients with clinically node-negative but sentinel lymph node (SLN)-positive breast cancer using all the available evidence.
METHODS
The Embase, Medline, and Cochrane Library databases were searched through February 25, 2023. Original trials that compared only the sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) with ALND as the control group for patients with clinically node-negative but SLN-positive breast cancer were included. The primary outcomes were axillary recurrence rate, total recurrence rate, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS). Meta-analyses were performed to compare the odds ratio (OR) in rates and the hazard ratios (HR) in time-to-event outcomes between both interventions. Based on different study designs, tools in the revised Cochrane risk of bias tool were used for randomized trials and the risk of bias in nonrandomized studies of interventions to assess the risk of bias for each included article. Funnel plots and Egger's test were used for the publication's bias assessment.
RESULTS
In total, 30 reports from 26 studies were included in the systematic review (9 reports of RCTs, 21 reports of retrospective cohort studies). According to our analysis, omitting ALND in patients with clinically node-negative but SLN-positive breast cancer had a similar axillary recurrence rate (OR = 0.95, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.76-1.20), DFS (HR = 1.02, 95% CI: 0.89-1.16), and OS (HR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.92-1.03), but caused a significantly lower incidence of adverse events and benefited in locoregional recurrence rate (OR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.59-0.97) compared with ALND.
CONCLUSION
For patients with clinically node-negative but SLN-positive breast cancer (no matter the number of the positive SLN), this review showed that SLNB alone had a similar axillary recurrence rate, DFS, and OS, but caused a significantly lower incidence of adverse events and showed a benefit for the locoregional recurrence compared with ALND. An OS benefit was found in the Macro subset that used SLNB alone versus complete ALND. Therefore, omitting ALND is feasible in this setting.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
CRD 42023397963.
Topics: Humans; Female; Sentinel Lymph Node; Breast Neoplasms; Retrospective Studies; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Lymph Node Excision; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; Lymphatic Metastasis; Lymphadenopathy; Axilla; Lymph Nodes
PubMed: 37495945
DOI: 10.1186/s12893-023-02101-8 -
Journal of Surgical Oncology Jan 2024It is on the backdrop of advances in tumor biology and systemic therapy for breast cancer, that progress in locoregional treatment has focused on management of the... (Review)
Review
It is on the backdrop of advances in tumor biology and systemic therapy for breast cancer, that progress in locoregional treatment has focused on management of the breast for invasive cancer, imaging for staging and therapeutic decision-making, and de-escalation in the management of the axilla.
Topics: Humans; Female; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; Lymphatic Metastasis; Surgical Oncology; Neoplasm Staging; Breast Neoplasms; Lymph Node Excision; Axilla; Lymph Nodes
PubMed: 37994521
DOI: 10.1002/jso.27528 -
Annals of Surgical Oncology Jan 2024Identification of risk factors facilitates the prevention of breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). Several published systematic reviews have already addressed the... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Identification of risk factors facilitates the prevention of breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). Several published systematic reviews have already addressed the risk factors for BCRL. This study aimed to systematically identify potential risk factors for BCRL and evaluate the quality of evidence.
METHODS
The study followed methodologic guidance from the Joanna Briggs Institute, and the Cochrane Handbook. The following electronic databases were systematically searched from inception to 15 November 2022: PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, Scopus, CNKI, SinoMed, Wanfang, JBI Database, Cochrane Database, ProQuest, and PROSPERO. Two authors independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed methodologic quality using AMSTAR2, risk of bias using ROBIS, and evidence quality using GRADE. The study evaluated overlap, assessed the small-study effect, and calculated the I statistic and Egger's P value as needed.
RESULTS
The study included 14 publications comprising 10 meta-analyses and 4 systematic reviews. The authors identified 39 factors and 30 unique meta-analyses. In the study, 13 innate personal trait-related risk factors, such as higher body mass index (BMI) and axillary lymph nodes dissection, showed statistically significant associations with BCRL incidence. Breast reconstruction was found to be a protective factor. The methodologic quality was low or critically low. The majority of the systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses were rated as having a high risk of bias. Evidence quality was low for 22 associations and moderate for 8 associations.
CONCLUSIONS
The currently identified risk factors for BCRL all are innate personal trait-related factors. Future well-designed studies and robust meta-analyses are needed to explore potential associations between behavioral-, interpersonal-, and environmental-related factors and BCRL, as well as the role of genetic variations and pathophysiologic factors.
Topics: Female; Humans; Breast Cancer Lymphedema; Breast Neoplasms; Lymph Node Excision; Lymphedema; Risk Factors; Systematic Reviews as Topic; Meta-Analysis as Topic
PubMed: 37725224
DOI: 10.1245/s10434-023-14277-7 -
Journal of Clinical Oncology : Official... Jan 2024Axillary soft tissue (AXT) involvement with tumor cells extending beyond the positive lymph node (LN+) and extracapsular extension (ECE) has been overlooked in breast...
PURPOSE
Axillary soft tissue (AXT) involvement with tumor cells extending beyond the positive lymph node (LN+) and extracapsular extension (ECE) has been overlooked in breast pathology specimen analysis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We analyzed 2,162 LN+ patients, dividing them into four groups on the basis of axillary pathology: (1) LN+ only, (2) LN+ and ECE only, (3) LN+ and AXT without ECE, and (4) LN+ with both AXT and ECE. The primary end points were 10-year locoregional failure (LRF), the 10-year axillary failure, and 10-year distant metastasis rates. Multivariable Cox models, accounting for clinical factors, were fitted using the entire cohort, and subgroups analyses were conducted.
RESULTS
The median follow-up was 9.4 years. The 10-year distant metastasis incidence was 42% for LN + AXT + ECE, 23% for both LN + AXT and LN + ECE only, and 13% for LN+ only. The 10-year axillary failure rates were 4.5% for LN + AXT + ECE, 4.6% for LN + AXT, 0.8% for LN + ECE only, and 1.6% for LN+ only. The 10-year LRF rates were 14% for LN + AXT + ECE, 10% for LN + AXT, 5.7% for LN + ECE only, and 6.2% for LN+ only. Multivariable analysis revealed that AXT was significantly associated with distant metastasis (hazard ratio [HR], 1.6; < .001), locoregional failure (HR, 2.3; < .001), and axillary failure (HR, 3.3; = .003). Subgroup analyses showed that regional LN radiation (RLNR) improved locoregional tumor outcomes with AXT, ECE, or both (HR, 0.5; = .03). Delivering ≤50 Gy to the axilla in the presence of AXT/ECE increased axillary failure (HR, 3.0; = .04). Moreover, when delivering RLNR, axillary LN dissection could be de-escalated to sentinel node biopsy even in the presence of features such as AXT or ECE without significantly increasing any failure outcome: (HR, 1.0; = .92) for LRF, (HR, 1.1; = .94) axillary failure, and (HR, 0.4; = .01) distant metastasis.
CONCLUSION
Routine reporting of axillary tissue involvement, beyond LNs and ECE, is crucial in predicting breast cancer outcomes. Ruling out the presence of AXT is imperative before any form of axillary de-escalation, especially RLNR omission.
Topics: Humans; Female; Breast Neoplasms; Lymphatic Metastasis; Axilla; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; Lymph Node Excision; Tumor Microenvironment
PubMed: 37967296
DOI: 10.1200/JCO.23.01009 -
Breast Cancer Research and Treatment Aug 2024Prior data from this Center demonstrated that for patients who had biopsy-proven axillary metastases, were ycN0 after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), and had a...
PURPOSE
Prior data from this Center demonstrated that for patients who had biopsy-proven axillary metastases, were ycN0 after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), and had a wire-directed (targeted) sentinel lymphadenectomy (WD-SLND), 60% were node negative. The hypothesis of this study was that results of axillary imaging either before or after NAC would be predictive of final pathologic status after WD-SLND.
METHODS
For patients treated with NAC between 2015 and 2023, ultrasound and MRI images of the axilla were retrospectively reviewed by radiologists specializing in breast imaging, who were blinded to the surgical and pathology results.
RESULTS
Of 113 patients who fit the clinical criteria, 66 (58%) were ypN0 at WD-SLND and 34 (30%) had a pathologic complete response to NAC. There was no correlation between the number of abnormal lymph nodes on pre-NAC ultrasound or MRI imaging and the final pathologic status of the lymph nodes. The positive predictive value (PPV) of abnormal post-NAC axillary imaging was 48% for ultrasound and 53% for MRI. The negative predictive value (NPV) for normal post-NAC axillary imaging was 67% for ultrasound and 68% for MRI.
CONCLUSION
The results of axillary imaging were not adequate to identify lymph nodes after NAC that were persistently pathologically node positive or those which had become pathologically node negative.
Topics: Humans; Female; Breast Neoplasms; Axilla; Neoadjuvant Therapy; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Middle Aged; Adult; Aged; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; Neoplasm Staging; Retrospective Studies; Lymphatic Metastasis; Lymph Nodes; Ultrasonography; Lymph Node Excision
PubMed: 38700572
DOI: 10.1007/s10549-024-07332-8 -
JCO Oncology Practice Dec 2023The PREVENT randomized trial assessed progression to chronic breast cancer-related lymphedema (cBCRL) after intervention triggered by bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) or... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
PURPOSE
The PREVENT randomized trial assessed progression to chronic breast cancer-related lymphedema (cBCRL) after intervention triggered by bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) or tape measurement (TM). This secondary analysis identifies cBCRL risk factors on the basis of axillary treatment.
METHODS
Between June 2014 and September 2018, 881 patients received sentinel node biopsy (SNB; n = 651), SNB + regional node irradiation (RNI; n = 58), axillary lymph node dissection (ALND; n = 85), or ALND + RNI (n = 87). The primary outcome was the 3-year cBCRL rate requiring complex decongestive physiotherapy (CDP).
RESULTS
After a median follow-up of 32.8 months (IQR, 21-34.3), 69 of 881 patients (7.8%) developed cBCRL. For TM, 43 of 438 (9.8%) developed cBCRL versus 26 of 443 (5.9%) for BIS ( = .028). The 3-year actuarial risk of cBCRL was 4.4% (95% CI, 2.7 to 6.1), 4.2% (95% CI, 0 to 9.8), 25.8% (95% CI, 15.8 to 35.8), and 26% (95% CI, 15.3 to 36.7). Rural residence increased the risk in all groups. For SNB, neither RNI (SNB, 4.1% SNB + RNI, 3.4%) nor taxane (4.4%) increased cBCRL, but risk was higher for patients with a BMI of ≥30 (6.3%). For SNB + RNI, taxane use (5.7%) or supraclavicular fossa (SCF) radiation (5.0%) increased cBCRL. For ALND patients, BMI ≥25 or chemotherapy increased cBCRL. For ALND + RNI, most patients received SCF radiation and taxanes, so no additional risk factors emerged.
CONCLUSION
The extent of axillary treatment is a significant risk factor for cBCRL. Increasing BMI, rurality, SCF radiation, and taxane chemotherapy also increase risk. These results have implications for a proposed risk-based lymphedema screening, early intervention, and treatment program.
Topics: Humans; Female; Prospective Studies; Breast Neoplasms; Lymph Node Excision; Lymphedema
PubMed: 37816208
DOI: 10.1200/OP.23.00060 -
JMA Journal Jul 2023Somatostatin analogs are expected to reduce lymphatic leakage. However, whether they can be used after axillary lymphadenectomy is unclear. This study aimed to assess... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Somatostatin analogs are expected to reduce lymphatic leakage. However, whether they can be used after axillary lymphadenectomy is unclear. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of somatostatin analogs in axillary lymphadenectomy for breast cancer patients.
METHODS
We performed a random-effects meta-analysis by searching electronic databases for randomized trials and trial registries until June 2022. The primary outcomes were the volume of drained fluid, the duration of drainage, and seroma incidence. Bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's tool and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations approach.
RESULTS
Six trials (738 participants) and one protocol without results were included. Somatostatin analogs may reduce the volume of drained fluid (mean difference = -22.07 mL, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -42.09 to -2.05; I = 56%) while resulting in a slight-to-no difference in the duration of drainage (mean difference = -0.48 days, 95% CI = -1.43 to 0.46; I = 87%) and seroma incidence (risk ratio = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.61-1.34; I = 55%). The certainty of the evidence was low.
CONCLUSIONS
There was limited evidence supporting somatostatin analogs for lymphorrhea after axillary lymphadenectomy. Multicenter randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of somatostatin analogs after axillary lymphadenectomy.
PubMed: 37560373
DOI: 10.31662/jmaj.2022-0219 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Nov 2023: This review paper highlights the key alternatives to the blue dye/radioisotope method of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). It analyses the research available on these... (Review)
Review
: This review paper highlights the key alternatives to the blue dye/radioisotope method of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). It analyses the research available on these alternative methods and their outcomes compared to the traditional techniques. : This review focused on fifteen articles, of which five used indocyanine green (ICG) as a tracer, four used magnetic tracers, one used one-step nucleic acid amplification (OSNA) and Metasin (quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction), one used the photosensitiser talaporfin sodium, one used sulphur hexafluoride gas microbubbles, one used CT-guided lymphography and two focused on general SLNB technique reviews. : Of the 15 papers analysed, the sentinel node detection rates were 69-100% for indocyanine green, 91.67-100% for magnetic tracers, 81% for talaporfin sodium, 9.3-55.2% for sulphur hexafluoride gas microbubbles, 90.5% for CTLG and 82.7-100% for one-step nucleic acid amplification. : Indocyanine green fluorescence (ICG) and magnetic tracers have been proven non-inferior to traditional blue dye and isotope regarding SLNB localisation. Further studies are needed to investigate the use of these techniques in conjunction with each other and the possible use of language learning models. Dedicated studies are required to assess cost efficacy and longer-term outcomes.
Topics: Humans; Female; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; Indocyanine Green; Lymphatic Metastasis; Sulfur Hexafluoride; Sentinel Lymph Node; Breast Neoplasms; Nucleic Acids; Lymph Nodes
PubMed: 38138180
DOI: 10.3390/medicina59122077