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Annals of Surgery Mar 2019The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the accuracy of different surgical axillary staging procedures compared with ALND. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Diagnostic Accuracy of Different Surgical Procedures for Axillary Staging After Neoadjuvant Systemic Therapy in Node-positive Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the accuracy of different surgical axillary staging procedures compared with ALND.
SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA
Optimal axillary staging after neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NST) in node-positive breast cancer is an area of controversy. Several less invasive procedures, such as sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB), marking axillary lymph node with radioactive iodine seed (MARI), and targeted axillary dissection (a combination of SLNB and a MARI-like procedure), have been proposed to replace the conventional axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) with its concomitant morbidity.
METHODS
PubMed and Embase were searched for studies comparing less invasive surgical axillary staging procedures to ALND to identify axillary burden after NST in patients with pathologically confirmed node-positive breast cancer (cN+). A meta-analysis was performed to compare identification rate (IFR), false-negative rate (FNR), and negative predictive value (NPV).
RESULTS
Of 1132 records, 20 unique studies with 2217 patients were included in quantitative analysis: 17 studies on SLNB, 1 study on MARI, and 2 studies on a combination procedure. Overall axillary pathologic complete response rate was 37%. For SLNB, pooled rates of IFR and FNR were 89% and 17%. NPV ranged from 57% to 86%. For MARI, IFR was 97%, FNR 7%, and NPV 83%. For the combination procedure, IFR was 100%, FNR ranged from 2% to 4%, and NPV from 92% to 97%.
CONCLUSION
Axillary staging by a combination procedure consisting of SLNB with excision of a pre-NST marked positive lymph node appears to be most accurate for axillary staging after NST. More evidence from prospective multicenter trials is needed to confirm this.
Topics: Axilla; Breast Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Lymph Node Excision; Lymph Nodes; Lymphatic Metastasis; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; Neoadjuvant Therapy; Neoplasm Staging
PubMed: 30312200
DOI: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000003075 -
The British Journal of Surgery Nov 2018Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer has the potential to achieve a pathological complete response in up to 40 per cent of patients, converting disease that was... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer has the potential to achieve a pathological complete response in up to 40 per cent of patients, converting disease that was initially node-positive to node-negative. This has raised the question of whether sentinel lymph node biopsy could be an alternative to axillary lymph node dissection in these patients. The aim was to undertake a systematic review and meta-analysis of the accuracy and reliability of sentinel lymph node biopsy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with initial biopsy-proven node-positive breast cancer.
METHODS
A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, Embase and Web of Science databases up to 30 April 2017. Inclusion criteria for studies were pathological confirmation of initial node-positive disease, and sentinel lymph node biopsy performed after neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by axillary lymph node dissection.
RESULTS
A total of 13 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis (1921 patients in total). The pooled estimate of identification rate was 90 (95 per cent c.i. 87 to 93) per cent and the false-negative rate was 14 (11 to 17) per cent. In subgroup analysis, the false-negative rate with use of dual mapping was 11 (6 to 15) per cent, compared with 19 (11 to 27) per cent with single mapping. The false-negative rate was 20 (13 to 27) per cent when one node was removed, 12 (5 to 19) per cent with two nodes removed and 4 (0 to 9) per cent with removal of three or more nodes.
CONCLUSION
Sentinel lymph node biopsy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with biopsy-proven node-positive breast cancer is accurate and reliable, but requires careful patient selection and optimal surgical techniques.
Topics: Breast Neoplasms; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; Epidemiologic Methods; Female; Humans; Lymph Nodes; Lymphatic Metastasis; Neoadjuvant Therapy; Neoplasm Staging; Patient Selection; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
PubMed: 30311642
DOI: 10.1002/bjs.10986 -
The British Journal of Surgery Sep 2018Axillary lymph node status remains a significant prognostic indicator in breast cancer. Here, the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Axillary lymph node status remains a significant prognostic indicator in breast cancer. Here, the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (US-FNA) and ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy (US-CNB) in axillary staging was compared.
METHODS
A comprehensive search was undertaken of all published studies comparing the diagnostic accuracy of US-CNB and US-FNA of axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer. Studies were included if raw data were available on the diagnostic performance of both US-FNA and US-CNB, and compared with final histology results. Relevant data were extracted from each study for systematic review. Meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of US-FNA and US-CNB were obtained using a bivariable model. Summary receiver operating characteristic (ROC) graphs were created to confirm diagnostic accuracy.
RESULTS
Data on a total of 1353 patients from six studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final analysis. US-CNB was superior to US-FNA in diagnosing axillary nodal metastases: sensitivity 88 (95 per cent c.i. 84 to 91) versus 74 (70 to 78) per cent respectively. Both US-CNB and US-FNA had a high specificity of 100 per cent. Reported complication rates were significantly higher for US-CNB compared with US-FNA (7·1 versus 1·3 per cent; P < 0·001). Conversely, the requirement for repeat diagnostic procedures was significantly greater for US-FNA (4·0 versus 0·5 per cent; P < 0·001).
CONCLUSION
US-CNB is a superior diagnostic technique to US-FNA for axillary staging in breast cancer.
Topics: Axilla; Biopsy, Fine-Needle; Biopsy, Large-Core Needle; Breast Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Image-Guided Biopsy; Lymph Nodes; Lymphatic Metastasis; Models, Statistical; ROC Curve; Sensitivity and Specificity; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; Ultrasonography, Interventional
PubMed: 29972239
DOI: 10.1002/bjs.10920 -
Annals of Surgical Oncology May 2018During recent years, an increasing number of patients with ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) and previous axillary surgery have undergone repeat sentinel lymph...
BACKGROUND
During recent years, an increasing number of patients with ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) and previous axillary surgery have undergone repeat sentinel lymph node biopsy (rSLNB). The influence of axillary nodal status on prognosis for IBTR patients remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the technical success rate, follow-up assessment, and prognostic value of rSLNB for patients with IBTR.
METHODS
A systematic search conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library up to July 2017 included all studies on rSLNB in IBTR.
RESULTS
A total of 34 articles describing 1761 patients were identified. A repeat sentinel lymph node (rSLN) was successfully harvested from 64.3% of the patients with IBTR, and the rate was significantly higher for the patients who had a previous SLNB than for those who had a previous axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) (75.7% vs. 46.1%; P < 0.0001). The rSLN was tumor-positive for 18.2% of the rSLNs, 40% of which were harvested in basins other than the ipsilateral axilla. The negative predictive value of the rSLNB was 96.5%. Overall survival, reported for 21.5% of the patients, was 95.2% after a mean follow-up period of 29.6 months.
CONCLUSION
The prognostic impact of rSLN-positive versus rSLN-negative IBTR remains unclear. Further studies are needed to fill in the gap in the management of lymph nodes for patients with IBTR. However, based on the current evidence, rSLNB is feasible for 64% of patients, especially after previous SLNB. With a negative predictive value of 96.5%, rSLNB appears to be highly specific, with substantial advantages over ipsilateral ALND in IBTR.
Topics: Axilla; Breast Neoplasms; False Negative Reactions; Female; Humans; Lymph Node Excision; Lymphatic Metastasis; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Predictive Value of Tests; Prognosis; Sentinel Lymph Node; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; Survival Rate
PubMed: 29468606
DOI: 10.1245/s10434-018-6358-0 -
Clinical Breast Cancer Feb 2018Lymphedema is not uncommon after axillary dissection for breast cancer. Improved survival of patients with breast cancer from advances in adjuvant therapy has resulted...
Lymphedema is not uncommon after axillary dissection for breast cancer. Improved survival of patients with breast cancer from advances in adjuvant therapy has resulted in increased awareness of the quality of life for long-term survivors. Air travel has been postulated as 1 of the risk factors of lymphedema exacerbation. In the present systematic review, we sought to critically evaluate the current data on this topic. The present study was registered in the Research Registry. A systematic review of lymphedema and air travel was performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses protocol. The Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Cochrane databases were searched for English-language studies up to June 2017 with a predefined strategy. The retrieved studies were independently screened and rated for relevance. Data were extracted by 2 of us. A total of 55 studies were identified using predefined keywords; 12 studies were included using the criteria stated in the study protocol. A pooled analysis of 2051 patients with a history of air travel revealed that ≤ 14.5% developed lymphedema after air flight. However, a subsequent analysis of 4 studies with a control arm showed that 107 of 1189 patients (9%) with a documented history of air travel developed lymphedema compared with 204 of 2356 patients (8.7%) who had not flown (χ test; P = .80). Two studies (1030 patients) evaluated the effect of lymphedema on patients' air travel patterns. Of the 1030 patients, 141 (13.7%) had totally avoided air travel after the development of lymphedema. However, air travel was not adversely associated with the development of lymphedema.
Topics: Air Travel; Breast Neoplasms; Cancer Survivors; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; Disease Progression; Female; Humans; Lymphedema; Mastectomy; Postoperative Complications; Quality of Life; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; Travel-Related Illness
PubMed: 29157874
DOI: 10.1016/j.clbc.2017.10.011 -
Cirugia Espanola Nov 2017Sentinel lymph node biopsy and ACOSOG-Z0011 criteria have modified axillary treatment in breast cancer surgery. We performed a systematic review of studies assessing the... (Review)
Review
Sentinel lymph node biopsy and ACOSOG-Z0011 criteria have modified axillary treatment in breast cancer surgery. We performed a systematic review of studies assessing the impact of axillary treatment on survival. The search showed 6891 potentially eligible items. Of them, 23 clinical trials and 12 meta-analyses published between 1980 and 2017 met the study criteria. The review revealed that axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) can be omitted in patients pN0 and pN1mic, without compromising survival. In patients pN1 it is proposed not to treat the axilla or replace ALND for axillary radiotherapy. The main limitations of this study are the inclusion of old tests that do not use therapeutic targets and lack of risk categorization of relapse. In conclusion, axillary treatment can be avoided in patients without metastatic involvement or micrometastases in the sentinel lymph node. However, there is no evidence to make a recommendation of axillary treatment in N1 patients, so individualized analysis of patient risk factors is needed.
Topics: Axilla; Breast Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; Survival Rate
PubMed: 29033068
DOI: 10.1016/j.ciresp.2017.08.004 -
Clinical Radiology Nov 2017To evaluate whether contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)-guided core biopsy of the sentinel lymph node (SLN) could identify metastatic nodes preoperatively and reduce the... (Review)
Review
Preoperative sentinel lymph node identification, biopsy and localisation using contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in patients with breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
AIM
To evaluate whether contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)-guided core biopsy of the sentinel lymph node (SLN) could identify metastatic nodes preoperatively and reduce the number of surgical SLN biopsies in patients with breast cancer and normal axillary B-mode ultrasound; and to establish whether CEUS SLN identification and localisation is a viable alternative to standard lymphatic mapping using isotope and blue dye.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A search of several electronic databases was performed and identified studies were assessed using QUADAS-2 for methodological quality. Pooled estimates of sensitivity and specificity for identification of nodal metastases were calculated.
RESULTS
Eleven prospective studies and one retrospective study with 1,520 participants were included. The SLN identification and localisation rate for CEUS-guided skin marking was 70-100%, CEUS guided-wire localisation was 89-97%, and CEUS-guided iodine-125 (I) seed localisation was 60%. Across the four studies that evaluated preoperative CEUS-guided SLN biopsy, pooled sensitivity for identification of nodal metastases was 54% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 47-61) and pooled specificity 100% (95% CI: 99-100).
CONCLUSION
CEUS is a promising technique for preoperative staging of the axilla. CEUS-guided core biopsy has the potential to identify nodal metastases in over half (54%) of patients with normal axillary B-mode ultrasound. CEUS-guided identification and localisation of the SLN may offer a viable alternative to standard lymphatic mapping using isotope and blue dye; however, further prospective studies with larger samples are warranted.
Topics: Breast; Breast Neoplasms; Contrast Media; Humans; Image Enhancement; Preoperative Care; Sentinel Lymph Node; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; Ultrasonography, Mammary
PubMed: 28774472
DOI: 10.1016/j.crad.2017.06.121 -
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia E... Nov 2017Axillary web syndrome is characterized as a physical-functional complication that impacts the quality of life of women who have undergone treatment for breast cancer....
Axillary web syndrome is characterized as a physical-functional complication that impacts the quality of life of women who have undergone treatment for breast cancer. The present study aims to verify the physiotherapy treatment available for axillary web syndrome after surgery for breast cancer in the context of evidence-based practice. The selection criteria included papers discussing treatment protocols used for axillary web syndrome after treatment for breast cancer. The search was performed in the MEDLINE, Scopus, PEDro and LILACS databases using the terms , and , focusing on women with a previous diagnosis of breast cancer who underwent surgery with lymphadenectomy as part of their treatment. From the 262 studies found, 4 articles that used physiotherapy treatment were selected. The physiotherapy treatment was based on lymphatic drainage, tissue mobilization, stretching and strengthening. The four selected articles had the same outcome: improvement in arm pain and shoulder function and/or dissipation of the axillary cord. Although axillary web syndrome seems to be as frequent and detrimental as other morbidities after cancer treatment, there are few studies on this subject. The publications are even scarcer when considering studies with an interventional approach. Randomized controlled trials are necessary to support the rehabilitation resources for axillary web syndrome.
Topics: Axilla; Breast Neoplasms; Evidence-Based Medicine; Female; Humans; Lymphatic Diseases; Physical Therapy Modalities; Postoperative Complications; Syndrome
PubMed: 28701024
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1604181 -
Breast (Edinburgh, Scotland) Jun 2017Axillary reverse mapping (ARM) is a technique to map and preserve arm lymphatics which may be damaged during surgery, resulting in lymphoedema. This work systematically... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
Axillary reverse mapping (ARM) is a technique to map and preserve arm lymphatics which may be damaged during surgery, resulting in lymphoedema. This work systematically reviews the incidence of lymphoedema following sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) + ARM, compared to SLNB alone, for clinically node negative disease, as well as recurrence rate, other morbidity and the feasibility and difficulties of ARM.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The following databases were searched: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library. Abstracts submitted to recognised societies dedicated to research in oncology were included. Studies were eligible if performed within the last 10 years; ARM was used in any form; ARM performed during SLNB ± axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). Studies were analysed using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.
RESULTS
No studies were found meeting the initial inclusion criteria. Therefore, studies reporting use of SLNB + ARM (i.e. no comparison to SLNB) were reviewed. A second search was performed to identify studies reporting outcome following SLNB alone. Twelve studies reported data on patients undergoing SLNB + ARM and 23 studies on patients undergoing SLNB. Incidence of lymphoedema following SLNB + ARM was quoted between 0-4% and 0-63.4% following SLNB. Few studies commented on recurrence rate. Studies included were of mainly low level of evidence.
CONCLUSION
Evidence is beginning to emerge for the use of ARM in order to reduce lymphoedema following axillary surgery. However, data regarding oncological safety of ARM is not clear and randomised controlled trials, with adequate follow-up, need to be performed to determine this.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Axilla; Breast Cancer Lymphedema; Breast Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Incidence; Lymph Node Excision; Lymph Nodes; Middle Aged; Postoperative Complications; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 28282588
DOI: 10.1016/j.breast.2017.02.019 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Jan 2017Axillary surgery is an established part of the management of primary breast cancer. It provides staging information to guide adjuvant therapy and potentially local... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Axillary surgery is an established part of the management of primary breast cancer. It provides staging information to guide adjuvant therapy and potentially local control of axillary disease. Several alternative approaches to axillary surgery are available, most of which aim to spare a proportion of women the morbidity of complete axillary dissection.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the benefits and harms of alternative approaches to axillary surgery (including omitting such surgery altogether) in terms of overall survival; local, regional and distant recurrences; and adverse events.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Breast Cancer Group Specialised Register, MEDLINE, Pre-MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform and ClinicalTrials.gov on 12 March 2015 without language restrictions. We also contacted study authors and checked reference lists.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) including women with clinically defined operable primary breast cancer conducted to compare axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) with no axillary surgery, axillary sampling or sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB); RCTs comparing axillary sampling with SLNB or no axillary surgery; RCTs comparing SLNB with no axillary surgery; and RCTs comparing ALND with or without radiotherapy (RT) versus RT alone.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently assessed each potentially relevant trial for inclusion. We independently extracted outcome data, risk of bias information and study characteristics from all included trials. We pooled data according to trial interventions, and we used hazard ratios (HRs) for time-to-event outcomes and odds ratios (OR) for binary outcomes.
MAIN RESULTS
We included 26 RCTs in this review. Studies were at low or unclear risk of selection bias. Blinding was not done, but this was only considered a source of bias for outcomes with potential for subjectivity in measurements. We found no RCTs of axillary sampling versus SLNB, axillary sampling versus no axillary surgery or SLNB versus no axillary surgery. No axillary surgery versus ALND Ten trials involving 3849 participants compared no axillary surgery versus ALND. Moderate quality evidence showed no important differences between overall survival of women in the two groups (HR 1.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.96 to 1.17; 3849 participants; 10 studies) although no axillary surgery increased the risk of locoregional recurrence (HR ranging from 1.10 to 3.06; 20,863 person-years of follow-up; four studies). It was uncertain whether no surgery increased the risk of distant metastasis compared with ALND (HR 1.06, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.30; 946 participants; two studies). Low-quality evidence indicated no axillary surgery decreased the risk of lymphoedema compared with ALND (OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.43; 1714 participants; four studies). Axillary sampling versus ALND Six trials involving 1559 participants compared axillary sampling versus ALND. Low-quality evidence indicated similar effectiveness of axillary sampling compared with ALND in terms of overall survival (HR 0.94, 95% CI 0.73 to 1.21; 967 participants; three studies) but it was unclear whether axillary sampling led to increased risk of local recurrence compared with ALND (HR 1.41, 95% CI 0.94 to 2.12; 1404 participants; three studies). The relative effectiveness of axillary sampling and ALND for locoregional recurrence (HR 0.74, 95% CI 0.46 to 1.20; 406 participants; one study) and distant metastasis was uncertain (HR 1.05, 95% CI 0.74 to 1.49; 406 participants; one study). Lymphoedema was less likely after axillary sampling than after ALND (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.81; 80 participants; one study). SLNB versus ALND Seven trials involving 9426 participants compared SLNB with ALND. Moderate-quality evidence showed similar overall survival following SLNB compared with ALND (HR 1.05, 95% CI 0.89 to 1.25; 6352 participants; three studies; moderate-quality evidence). Differences in local recurrence (HR 0.94, 95% CI 0.24 to 3.77; 516 participants; one study), locoregional recurrence (HR 0.96, 95% CI 0.74 to 1.24; 5611 participants; one study) and distant metastasis (HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.42 to 1.53; 516 participants; one study) were uncertain. However, studies showed little absolute difference in the aforementioned outcomes. Lymphoedema was less likely after SLNB than ALND (OR ranged from 0.04 to 0.60; three studies; 1965 participants; low-quality evidence). Three studies including 1755 participants reported quality of life: Investigators in two studies found quality of life better after SLNB than ALND, and in the other study observed no difference. RT versus ALND Four trials involving 2585 participants compared RT alone with ALND (with or without RT). High-quality evidence indicated that overall survival was reduced among women treated with radiotherapy alone compared with those treated with ALND (HR 1.10, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.21; 2469 participants; four studies), and local recurrence was less likely in women treated with radiotherapy than in those treated with ALND (HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.64 to 0.99; 22,256 person-years of follow-up; four studies). Risk of distant metastasis was similar for radiotherapy alone as for ALND (HR 1.07, 95% CI 0.93 to 1.25; 1313 participants; one study), and whether lymphoedema was less likely after RT alone than ALND remained uncertain (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.16 to 1.44; 200 participants; one study). Less surgery versus ALND When combining results from all trials, treatment involving less surgery was associated with reduced overall survival compared with ALND (HR 1.08, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.17; 6478 participants; 18 studies). Whether local recurrence was reduced with less axillary surgery when compared with ALND was uncertain (HR 0.90, 95% CI 0.75 to 1.09; 24,176 participant-years of follow up; eight studies). Locoregional recurrence was more likely with less surgery than with ALND (HR 1.53, 95% CI 1.31 to 1.78; 26,880 participant-years of follow-up; seven studies). Whether risk of distant metastasis was increased after less axillary surgery compared with ALND was uncertain (HR 1.07, 95% CI 0.95 to 1.20; 2665 participants; five studies). Lymphoedema was less likely after less axillary surgery than with ALND (OR 0.37, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.46; 3964 participants; nine studies).No studies reported on disease control in the axilla.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
This review confirms the benefit of SLNB and axillary sampling as alternatives to ALND for axillary staging, supporting the view that ALND of the clinically and radiologically uninvolved axilla is no longer acceptable practice in people with breast cancer.
Topics: Axilla; Breast Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Lymph Node Excision; Lymphedema; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
PubMed: 28052186
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004561.pub3