BACKGROUND: The goal of this study was to examine the role of ultrasonography in detecting axillary lymph node metastases in stage II breast cancer patients after induction chemotherapy (IC). METHODS: Of 172 consecutive patients with T1-3, N0-1, M0 breast cancer registered in a prospective IC trial, a subset of 130 evaluable patients were chosen, with (1) both physical and ultrasonographic examinations of the axilla before and after IC; (2) exactly four cycles of IC; (3) no presurgical radiation therapy; and (4) an axillary lymph node dissection. RESULTS: Before IC, 32 patients (25%) were negative for axillary involvement by both physical and ultrasonographic examinations. After IC, this number increased to 64 (49%). Of these, 31 (48%) were positive by pathology examination. In most cases, however, the residual tumor was minimal. CONCLUSIONS: Stage II breast cancer patients who were or became node negative by both ultrasonographic and physical examinations after IC had a 48% incidence of nodal metastases. Because the residual tumor was minimal, irradiation may be sufficient for adequate local control of the axilla.
BACKGROUND: The goal of this study was to examine the role of ultrasonography in detecting axillary lymph node metastases in stage II breast cancerpatients after induction chemotherapy (IC). METHODS: Of 172 consecutive patients with T1-3, N0-1, M0 breast cancer registered in a prospective IC trial, a subset of 130 evaluable patients were chosen, with (1) both physical and ultrasonographic examinations of the axilla before and after IC; (2) exactly four cycles of IC; (3) no presurgical radiation therapy; and (4) an axillary lymph node dissection. RESULTS: Before IC, 32 patients (25%) were negative for axillary involvement by both physical and ultrasonographic examinations. After IC, this number increased to 64 (49%). Of these, 31 (48%) were positive by pathology examination. In most cases, however, the residual tumor was minimal. CONCLUSIONS: Stage II breast cancerpatients who were or became node negative by both ultrasonographic and physical examinations after IC had a 48% incidence of nodal metastases. Because the residual tumor was minimal, irradiation may be sufficient for adequate local control of the axilla.
Authors: Laura S Dominici; Viviana M Negron Gonzalez; Aman U Buzdar; Anthony Lucci; Elizabeth A Mittendorf; Huong T Le-Petross; Gildy V Babiera; Funda Meric-Bernstam; Kelly K Hunt; Henry M Kuerer Journal: Cancer Date: 2010-06-15 Impact factor: 6.860
Authors: S Dawood; S D Merajver; P Viens; P B Vermeulen; S M Swain; T A Buchholz; L Y Dirix; P H Levine; A Lucci; S Krishnamurthy; F M Robertson; W A Woodward; W T Yang; N T Ueno; M Cristofanilli Journal: Ann Oncol Date: 2010-07-05 Impact factor: 32.976
Authors: Puneeth Iyengar; Eric A Strom; Yu-Jing Zhang; Gary J Whitman; Benjamin D Smith; Wendy A Woodward; Tse-Kuan Yu; Thomas A Buchholz Journal: Oncologist Date: 2012-09-14