RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Sentinel lymph nodes with isolated tumour cells and micrometastases in breast cancer: clinical relevance and prognostic significance
JF Journal of Clinical Pathology
JO J Clin Pathol
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Association of Clinical Pathologists
SP 243
OP 250
DO 10.1136/jclinpath-2013-201771
VO 67
IS 3
A1 Syed Salahuddin Ahmed
A1 Aye Aye Thike
A1 Jabed Iqbal
A1 Wei Sean Yong
A1 Benita Tan
A1 Preetha Madhukumar
A1 Kong Wee Ong
A1 Gay Hui Ho
A1 Chow Yin Wong
A1 Puay Hoon Tan
YR 2014
UL http://jcp.bmj.com/content/67/3/243.abstract
AB Aim We performed a retrospective review to determine the prognostic significance of isolated tumour cells (ITCs) and micrometastases to the sentinel lymph nodes of patients with breast cancer. Methods A total of 1044 patients with a diagnosis of invasive carcinoma of the breast who underwent surgical treatment including the sentinel lymph node biopsy procedure from July 2004 to October 2009 were included in the study. Results In 710 (68%) patients, no metastasis was seen to the sentinel lymph nodes. ITCs were detected in 22 (2.1%) patients, micrometastasis in 52 (5.0%) and macrometastases in 260 (24.9%). With a median follow-up of 28.8 months, disease recurrence was seen in 38 (3.6%) patients and 15 (1.5%) patients died of disease. No disease recurrence or deaths were recorded in women with ITCs in sentinel lymph nodes. In the micrometastasis group, 2 patients suffered disease recurrence and both died of disease. Conclusions We conclude that ITCs in the sentinel lymph nodes did not adversely impact disease free and overall survivals. Although only 2 recurrences with subsequent death occurred in the micrometastasis group, it may suggest a propensity for presence of micrometastases to augur a worse outcome, and justifies continued segregation of ITCs from micrometastasis.