ObjectiveTo explore the value of fluorescence tracer technique in sentinel lymph node (SLN) orientation of cN0 papillary thyroid cancer. MethodsThe total clinical data of 40 cT1-3N0M0 thyroid cancer patients admitted from January 2015 to January 2016 in our hospital were collected, and the SLN with indocyanine green (ICG) as fluorescent trace agent were observed and detected, and the effect of ICG detecting SLN and the guide role of SLNB on the dissection of the central area of neck lymph nodes by intraoperative frozen biopsy pathology and postoperative paraffin pathology were analyzed. ResultsA total of 40 thyroid cancer patients were treated by SLNB and then conducted by the dissection of the central area of neck lymph nodes, and 37 cases detected SLN, so the detection rate was 92.5% (37/40). And a total of 98 SLNs were detected, 1-5 for each case, average of 2.65/case. Intraoperative frozen pathological detected 28 cases of patients with metastases in SLN, and 9 patients without metastasis, including 1 case with postoperative pathology detecting micrometastasis in SLN and other 8 cases without metastasis in the central area of neck lymph nodes. Three cases who were not detected the SLN showed no metastases in final postoperative paraffin pathology. The SLNB of ICG fluorescent tracer was with a sensitivity of 96.6% (28/29), false-negative rate of 3.45% (1/29). ConclusionThe fluorescent tracer technique can guide the dissection of the central of neck lymph node of cN0 thyroid cancer patients accurately with a high detection rate and advantages of high sensitivity in detecting the SLN of thyroid cancer.
ObjectiveTo investigate the metastatic status and risk factors of axillary non-sentinel lymph node (NSLN) in breast cancer patients with 1–2 positive sentinel lymph nodes (SLN), and to provide theoretical basis for exemption of axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) in these patients. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 54 patients diagnosed with breast cancer who underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) and confirmed to have 1–2 positive sentinel lymph nodes (SLNS) and received ALND in the Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery of Tongling People’s Hospital from January 2018 to April 2023. The patients were divided into NSLN metastatic group (17 cases) and NSLN non-metastatic group (37 cases) according to whether there was metastasis. Chi-square test was used to compare the basic information and clinicpathological features of the two groups. The independent risk factors for axillary NSLN metastasis were screened out by multivariate binary logistic regression model. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the predictive value of independent risk factors combined with axillary NSLN metastasis. Results There were 54 cases with 1–2 metastasis of SLN, 17 cases with axillary NSLN metastasis (31.5%). The incidence of axillary NSLN metastasis in patients with tumor at T1 stage (maximum diameter ≤2 cm) was only 14.3% (4/28), however, the metastatic rate of axillary NSLN in patients with tumor in T2–T3 stage (maximum diameter >2 cm) was as high as 50.0% (13/26). The axillary NSLN metastasis rate was only 21.2% (7/33) with 1 SLN metastasis, while the axillary NSLN metastasis rate was 47.6% (10/21) with 2 SLN metastasis. Univariate analysis showed that T stage (tumor diameter >2 cm), 2 SLN metastases, number of SLN >5 and tumor with vascular embolus were more likely to develop axillary NSLN metastases (P<0.05). Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis showed that T stage (tumor diameter >2 cm) and 2 SLN metastases were independent risk factors for axillary NSLN metastasis in breast cancer patients, the area under ROC curve of combined prediction of axillary NSLN metastasis by the two was 0.747, 95%CI was (0.657, 0.917), sensitivity was 0.765 and specificity was 0.649. Conclusions The combination of tumor T stage and the number of SLN metastases can better predict axillary NSLN metastasis in breast cancer patients. ALND is recommended for breast cancer patients with T stage (tumor diameter >2 cm) and 2 SLN metastases to reduce the risk of residual axillary NSLN metastasis.
Objective To identify the feasibility of the lymphatic mapping and sentinel node biopsy (SLNB) in patients with breast cancer and to examine whether the characteristics of the sentinel lymph node (SLN) accurately predict the status of axillary lymph node.MethodsFrom March to October 2000, 32 patients with breast cancer were evaluated at the Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital. Lymphatic mapping was performed using Methlene Blue. A SLN was defined as any blue node. Thirtytwo patients, with breast cancer underwent a complete axillary lymph node resection (ALNR) following SLN biopsy. Subsequently, all SLNs and ALNs were examined by both Hamp;E staining as well as immunohistochemical staining for cytokeratin. ResultsLymphatic mapping was successful in identifying the SLN in 26/32(81.25%) cases of nodes at level Ⅰ. Of the 26 patients mapped successfully, 10 had metastasis to the SLNs.In 3 cases that SLNs were positive, but other axillary lymph nodes were negative. In 2 cases that the SLNs were negative, but other axillary lymph nodes were positive. The sensitivity of SLNB using Methlene Blue in this study was 77.78%(7/9), accuracy 80.77%(21/26), specificity 82.35%(14/17), and false negative rate 22.22%(2/9). ConclusionSLN can predict the status of the axillary lymph nodes reliably. However, the efficacy of SLNB in the setting of randomized, prospective trials must be tested first before abandoning axillary lymph node resection as the standard of care.
ObjectiveTo explore the risk factors affecting sentinel lymph node (SLN) metastasis in patients with early-stage (N0) breast cancer and establish a predictive model for SLN metastasis, so as to assist in decision-making of axillary surgery in clinical practice. MethodsThe unilateral early-stage breast cancer patients who underwent surgical treatment and SLN biopsy at the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from September 2020 to December 2023 were selected as the study subjects. The univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were adopted to analyze the relevant risk factors of SLN metastasis, then a predictive model evaluating the risk of SLN metastasis was constructed. The area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to assess the distinguishing ability of risk factors for SLN metastasis. ResultsA total of 351 patients with early-stage breast cancer patients who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled, 136 of whom with SLN metastasis, the SLN metastasis rate was 38.7%. The results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the maximum tumor diameter >2.5 cm, estrogen receptor (ER) positive, Ki-67 >20%, and vascular invasion were the risk factors affecting SLN metastasis [maximum tumor diameter: OR(95%CI)=1.897(1.186, 3.034), P=0.008; ER positive: OR(95%CI)=2.721(1.491, 4.967), P=0.001; Ki-67 >20%: OR(95%CI)=1.825(1.125, 2.960), P=0.015; vascular invasion: OR(95%CI)=2.858(1.641, 4.976), P<0.001]. The AUC for the SLN metastasis by these four factors was 0.693(0.637, 0.749), with a sensitivity and specificity of 70.59% and 57.21%, respectively. ConclusionsThe results from this study suggest that SLN biopsy is recommended to guide postoperative adjuvant treatment strategies for cN0 early-stage breast cancer patients with a maximum tumor diameter >2.5 cm, ER positivity, Ki-67>20%, and vascular invasion. However, the predictive model constructed based on these four factors in this study has a general ability to distinguish the occurrence of SLN metastasis, then the reasons can be further analyzed in the future.
ObjectiveTo explore the feasibility and clinical efficacy of laparoscopic sentinel lymph node biopsy combined with endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD) for patients with early gastric cancer(EGC). MethodsThe clinical data of 26 cases who received ESD combined with laparoscopic sentinel lymph node biopsy for EGC between March 2009 to August 2013 in Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University were analyzed retrospectively. These patients first underwent laparoscopic sentinel lymph node(SLN) biopsy. If frozen sectioning examination suggested there was lymph node metastasis, laparoscopic D2 radical gastrectomy would be operated. However, the ESD would be operated if the frozen sectioning examination was negative. ResultsThe total numbers of SLN were 95, and mean numbers of SLN were 3.7±1.4(range from 1 to 6). Two patients with positive SLN underwent laparoscopic-assisted distal gastrectomy and 24 patients with negative SLN underwent ESD. The disease free survival(DFS) and local recurrence rate after ESD for EGC was 91.7%(22/24) and 4.2%(1/24), respectively. And the total DFS for all patients was 96.2% (25/26). ConclusionESD for EGC is a safe and feasible procedure, combined with laparoscopic sentinel lymph node biopsy conforms more to the concept of principle of radical operation.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the quality of life after sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in patients with breast cancer. MethodsFrom January 2004 to December 2006, 591 patients with breast cancer who were suitable for SLNB were divided into SLNB group (n=339) and axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) group (n=252). All patients didn’t have the upper extremity joints disease, the vascular nerve disease, and the cervical spondylosis previously. Results①In patients with SLNB, the circumferences of upper arm in one, two, and three weeks after operation were similar to those before operation (P=0.232, P=0.318, and P=0.415, respectively). While, in patients with ALND, the circumferences of upper arm in one or two weeks after operation were significantly bigger than those before operation (P=0.011, P=0.041, respectively), and the circumference in three weeks after operation was similar to that before operation (P=0.290). ②In patients with SLNB, the outreach angles of shoulder joint in one and two weeks after operation were significantly smaller than those before operation (P=0.031, P=0.043, respectively), and the angle in three weeks after operation was similar to that before operation (P=0.196). However, in patients with ALND, the angles in one, two or three weeks after operation were significantly smaller than those before operation (all Plt;0.001). ③The retention time of drainage tube in patients with ALND who received breast conserving surgery or mastectomy was significantly longer than that in patients with SLNB who received mastectomy (all Plt;0.001). ④The infection rate and the sensory disjunction rate in patients with ALND were significantly higher than those in patients with SLNB (P=0.002, Plt;0.001, respectively). ConclusionsFor patients with lymph node negative breast cancer, SLNB could decrease postoperative complications, and improve the quality of life. It could also save money by reducing hospital stay.
ObjectiveTo explore the factors associated with non-sentinel lymph node (NSLN) metastasis in early breast cancer patients with 1-2 positive sentinel lymph nodes (SLN), seeking the basis for exempting some SLN-positive patients from axillary lymph node dissection. MethodsA total of 299 early breast cancer patients who were diagnosed with positive sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy and underwent axillary lymph node dissection at the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from January 2019 to April 2023 were selected. Univariate analysis was performed on the clinical and pathological data of patients, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors related to axillary non-sentinel lymph node (NSLN) metastasis of patients with SLN positive in early breast cancer. GraphPad Prim 9.0 was used to draw receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and the area under curve (AUC) of ROC was calculated to quantify the predictive value of risk factors. ResultsAmong the 299 breast cancer patients with 1-2 SLN positive, 101 cases (33.78%) were NSLN positive and 198 cases (66.22%) were NSLN negative. Univariate analysis showed that the number of positive SLN, clinical T staging and lymphovascular invasion were related to the metastasis of NSLN (P<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that having 2 positive SLN [OR=3.601, 95%CI (2.005, 6.470), P<0.001], clinical T2 staging [OR=4.681, 95%CI (2.633, 8.323), P<0.001], and presence lymphovascular invasion [OR=3.781, 95%CI (2.124, 6.730), P<0.001] were risk factors affecting axillary NSLN metastasis. The AUCs of the three risk factors were 0.623 3, 0.702 7 and 0.682 5, respectively, and the AUCs all were greater than 0.6, suggesting that the three risk factors had good predictive ability for NSLN metastasis. ConclusionThe number of positive SLN, clinical T staging, and lymphovascular invasion are related factors affecting NSLN metastasis in early breast cancer patients with positive SLN, and these factors have guiding significance for whether to exempt axillary lymph node dissection.
Objective To explore the axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) could be safely exempted in younger breast cancer patients (≤40 years of age) who receiving breast-conserving surgery combined with radiotherapy in metastasis of 1–2 sentinel lymph node (SLN) and T1–T2 stage. Methods The data of pathological diagnosis of invasive breast cancer from 2004 to 2015 in SEER database were extracted. Patients were divided into SLN biopsy group (SLNB group) and ALND group according to axillary treatment. Propensity matching score (PSM) method was used to match and equalize the clinicopathological features between two groups at 1∶1. Multivariate Cox proportional risk model was used to analyze the relationship between axillary management and breast cancer specific survival (BCSS), and stratified analysis was performed according to clinicopathological features. Results A total of 1 236 patients with a median age of 37 years (quartile: 34, 39 years) were included in the analysis, including 418 patients (33.8%) in the SLNB group and 818 patients (66.2%) in the ALND group. The median follow-up period was 82 months (quartile: 44, 121 months), and 111 cases (9.0%) died of breast cancer, including 33 cases (7.9%) in the SLNB group and 78 cases (9.5%) in the ALND group. The cumulative 5-year BCSS of the SLNB group and the ALND group were 90.8% and 93.4%, respectively, and the log-rank test showed no significant difference (χ2=0.70, P=0.401). After PSM, there were 406 cases in both the SLNB group and the ALND group. The cumulative 5-year BCSS rate in the ALND group was 4.1% higher than that in the SLNB group (94.8% vs. 90.7%). Multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis showed that ALND could further improve BCSS rate in younger breast cancer patients [HR=0.578, 95%CI (0.335, 0.998), P=0.049]. Stratified analyses showed that ALND improved BCSS in patients diagnosed before 2012 or with a character of lymph node macrometastases, histological grade G3/4, ER negative or PR negative. Conclusions It should be cautious to consider the elimination of ALND in the stage T1–T2 younger patients receiving breast-conserving surgery combined with radiotherapy when 1–2 SLNs positive, especially in patients with high degree of malignant tumor biological behavior or high lymph node tumor burden. Further prospective trials are needed to verify the question.
ObjectiveTo summarize the current status and advances of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) technique in breast cancer. MethodsThe pertinent domestic and overseas literatures were reviewed and the localization, harvest, status assessment, indications, and complications of SLNB were analyzed. ResultsSLNB could accurately locate and pick out sentinel lymph node (SLN) in breast cancer. The development on imaging examination and pathological techniques promoted the assessment of SLN, and the indications of SLNB were expanding. The complication rate of SLNB was low and the technique could accurately predict axillary lymph node staging and direct selective axillary lymph node dissection. ConclusionsSLNB has been an important method of surgical therapy in breast cancer, but the operation process needs to be further standardized to decrease the false negative rate. Continuative attentions shall be paid to the problems such as the false positive and controversial indications.