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Chudobiński C, Świderski B, Antoniuk I, Kurek J. Enhancements in Radiological Detection of Metastatic Lymph Nodes Utilizing AI-Assisted Ultrasound Imaging Data and the Lymph Node Reporting and Data System Scale. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1564. [PMID: 38672646 PMCID: PMC11048706 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16081564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The paper presents a novel approach for the automatic detection of neoplastic lesions in lymph nodes (LNs). It leverages the latest advances in machine learning (ML) with the LN Reporting and Data System (LN-RADS) scale. By integrating diverse datasets and network structures, the research investigates the effectiveness of ML algorithms in improving diagnostic accuracy and automation potential. Both Multinominal Logistic Regression (MLR)-integrated and fully connected neuron layers are included in the analysis. The methods were trained using three variants of combinations of histopathological data and LN-RADS scale labels to assess their utility. The findings demonstrate that the LN-RADS scale improves prediction accuracy. MLR integration is shown to achieve higher accuracy, while the fully connected neuron approach excels in AUC performance. All of the above suggests a possibility for significant improvement in the early detection and prognosis of cancer using AI techniques. The study underlines the importance of further exploration into combined datasets and network architectures, which could potentially lead to even greater improvements in the diagnostic process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cezary Chudobiński
- Copernicus Regional Multi-Specialty Oncology and Trauma Centre, 93-513 Lódź, Poland;
| | - Bartosz Świderski
- Department of Artificial Intelligence, Institute of Information Technology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland; (B.Ś.); (I.A.)
| | - Izabella Antoniuk
- Department of Artificial Intelligence, Institute of Information Technology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland; (B.Ś.); (I.A.)
| | - Jarosław Kurek
- Department of Artificial Intelligence, Institute of Information Technology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland; (B.Ś.); (I.A.)
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2
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Tian Y, Han L, Ma X, Guo R, GeSang Z, Zhai Y, Hu H. Comparison of the effect of ultrasounic-harmonic scalpel and electrocautery in the treatment of axillary lymph nodes during radical surgery for breast cancer. World J Surg Oncol 2024; 22:91. [PMID: 38600546 PMCID: PMC11007932 DOI: 10.1186/s12957-024-03381-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare the efficacy of ultrasounic-harmonic scalpel and electrocautery in the treatment of axillary lymph nodes during radical surgery for breast cancer. METHODS A prospective study was conducted in the Department of Breast Surgery, Zhongda Hospital Affiliated to Southeast University. A total of 128 patients with pathologically confirmed breast cancer who were treated by the same surgeon from July 2023 to November 2023 were included in the analysis. All breast operations were performed using electrocautery, and surgical instruments for axillary lymph nodes were divided into ultrasounic-harmonic scalpel group and electrocautery group using a random number table. According to the extent of lymph node surgery, it was divided into four groups: sentinel lymph node biopsy, lymph node at station I, lymph node at station I and II, and lymph node dissection at station I, II and III. Under the premise of controlling variables such as BMI, age and neoadjuvant chemotherapy, the effects of ultrasounic-harmonic scalpel and electrocautery in axillary surgery were compared. RESULTS Compared with the electrosurgical group, there were no significant differences in lymph node operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative axillary drainage volume, axillary drainage tube indwelling time, postoperative pain score on the day after surgery, and the incidence of postoperative complications (p>0.05). CONCLUSION There is no significant difference between ultrasounic-harmonic scalpel and electrocautery in axillary lymph node treatment for breast cancer patients, which can provide a basis for the selection of surgical energy instruments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujia Tian
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongda Hospital Affiliated to Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
- Breast Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Zhongda Hospital Affiliated to Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Lifei Han
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongda Hospital Affiliated to Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
- Breast Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Zhongda Hospital Affiliated to Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Xiao Ma
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongda Hospital Affiliated to Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
- Breast Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Zhongda Hospital Affiliated to Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Rui Guo
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongda Hospital Affiliated to Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
- Breast Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Zhongda Hospital Affiliated to Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Zhuoga GeSang
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongda Hospital Affiliated to Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
- Breast Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Zhongda Hospital Affiliated to Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Yabo Zhai
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongda Hospital Affiliated to Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
- Breast Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Zhongda Hospital Affiliated to Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Haolin Hu
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongda Hospital Affiliated to Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
- Breast Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Zhongda Hospital Affiliated to Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
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Bragina OD, Tashireva LA, Loos DM, Vtorushin SV, Shulga AA, Konovalova EN, Borodina ME, Chernov VI, Tolmachev VM, Deyev SM. Evaluation of HER2/neu Expression in Metastatic Axillary Lymph Node Tissue of Breast Cancer Patients Using [99mTc]Tc-(HE)3-G3. Acta Naturae 2024; 16:22-29. [PMID: 39188262 PMCID: PMC11345088 DOI: 10.32607/actanaturae.27448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Anatomic visualization and molecular typing of metastatic regional lymph nodes in breast cancer patients are a serious clinical challenge in modern oncology. According to the results of previous studies, [99mTc]Tc-(HE)3-G3 has proven to be a promising diagnostic agent in differentiating the HER2/neu receptor status in primary breast tumors (p < 0.05, Mann-Whitney test). In this regard, the purpose of this study is to explore the possibilities of using [99mTc]Tc-(HE)3-G3 to determine the HER2/neu receptor status in the metastatic axillary lymph nodes (mALNs) of breast cancer patients. The study was conducted using clinical material from 20 breast cancer patients (T2-4N1-3M0-1) before systemic therapy (10 patients with positive and 10 patients with negative HER2/neu expression in mALNs) who underwent SPECT/CT scan 4 h after the administration of [99mTc]Tc-(HE)3-G3. Morphological and immunohistochemical studies of mALNs with assessment of the HER2/neu status were performed on all patients. We found that mALN-to-background and mALN-to-latissimus dorsi muscle ratios for [99mTc]Tc-(HE)3-G3 uptake 4 h after its administration may be used for typing of the HER2/neu status in mALNs of breast cancer patients (p < 0.05, Mann-Whitney test). In that case, sensitivity and specificity for the mALN-to-background ratio were identical at 80%, with the threshold value being > 12.25.
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Affiliation(s)
- O. D. Bragina
- Tomsk Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk, 634009 Russian Federation
- National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, Tomsk, 634050 Russian Federation
| | - L. A. Tashireva
- Tomsk Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk, 634009 Russian Federation
| | - D. M. Loos
- Tomsk Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk, 634009 Russian Federation
- Siberian State Medical University, Tomsk, 634050 Russian Federation
| | - S. V. Vtorushin
- Tomsk Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk, 634009 Russian Federation
- Siberian State Medical University, Tomsk, 634050 Russian Federation
| | - A. A. Shulga
- National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, Tomsk, 634050 Russian Federation
- Shemyakin–Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow, 117997 Russian Federation
| | - E. N. Konovalova
- National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, Tomsk, 634050 Russian Federation
- Shemyakin–Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow, 117997 Russian Federation
| | - M. E. Borodina
- Hertsen Moscow Oncology Research Institute, Moscow, 125284 Russian Federation
| | - V. I. Chernov
- Tomsk Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk, 634009 Russian Federation
- National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, Tomsk, 634050 Russian Federation
- National Research Center Kurchatov Institute, Moscow, 123098 Russian Federation
| | | | - S. M. Deyev
- National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, Tomsk, 634050 Russian Federation
- Shemyakin–Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow, 117997 Russian Federation
- National Research Center Kurchatov Institute, Moscow, 123098 Russian Federation
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Hannoun-Lévi JM, Savignoni A, Féron JG, Malhaire C, Ezzili C, Brédart A, Loap P, Kirova Y. Management of second ipsilateral breast tumor event: An advocacy for a randomized trial. Cancer Radiother 2024; 28:188-194. [PMID: 38216433 DOI: 10.1016/j.canrad.2023.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
For a second ipsilateral breast tumor event, salvage mastectomy is the standard of care while second conservative treatment is a possible option. However, level 1 proofs are missing, leading to perform salvage mastectomy for patients who could receive second conservative treatment and consequently avoid psychological/quality of life salvage mastectomy deleterious impacts. A phase 3 randomized trial comparing salvage mastectomy to second conservative treatment is needed. Here we discuss what would be to us the optimal design of such trial to confirm the non-inferiority between the two salvage options, with a focus on methodological aspects in terms of patient characteristics and statistical issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- J-M Hannoun-Lévi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, centre Antoine-Lacassagne, université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France.
| | - A Savignoni
- Department of Biostatistics, institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - J-G Féron
- Department of Breast Surgery, institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - C Malhaire
- Department of Medical Imaging, institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - C Ezzili
- Department of Clinical Research, institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - A Brédart
- Psycho-Oncology Unit, institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - P Loap
- Department of Radiation Oncology, institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - Y Kirova
- Department of Radiation Oncology, institut Curie, Paris, France
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Nakano S, Kakimoto S, Takahashi S, Mibu A, Saigusa H. Lymphoscintigraphy and Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT)/CT to Determine Need for Second Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy for Breast Cancer Recurrence Following Ipsilateral Breast/Axillary Surgery. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CASE REPORTS 2024; 25:e942424. [PMID: 38268185 PMCID: PMC10825705 DOI: 10.12659/ajcr.942424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND For patients with cN0 breast cancer, sentinel node biopsy (SNB) is performed to confirm metastasis. When cancer recurs after a breast/axillary surgery, performing a second SNB is debatable in terms of its accuracy and significance. However, SNB is often performed because it is less invasive and can provide significant information. This report describes our experience of performing lymphoscintigraphy and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/CT to determine whether SNB is informative or not in patients who develop ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) following a breast/axillary surgery. CASE REPORT We included 9 patients with breast cancer and a history of ipsilateral breast/axillary surgery who underwent lymphoscintigraphy and SPECT/CT between April 2020 and July 2023. For lymphoscintigraphy, 20-25 MBq of 99mTc-phytate was injected subcutaneously in the areola, and planar images and SPECT/CT were taken at 15 min and 3 h after the injection. In lymphoscintigraphy, radioisotope accumulation was detected in 2 patients at 15 min and 8 patients at 3 h; it was not detected in 1 patient. The accumulation site was only the axilla in 3 patients; other sites including the axilla in 3, and sites outside the axilla in 2. CONCLUSIONS When a patient who previously underwent breast/axillary surgery develops IBTR, the initial surgery may have altered the lymphatic flow. The lymphatic flow varied between the contralateral or ipsilateral internal mammary lymph nodes, contralateral axilla, multidirectional flow, and the axilla alone. Lymphoscintigraphy and SPECT/CT may be useful for early determination of the need for another SNB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoko Nakano
- Department of Breast Surgery, Kawaguchi Municipal Medical Center, Kawaguchi, Saitama, Japan
| | - Sayoko Kakimoto
- Department of Breast Surgery, Kawaguchi Municipal Medical Center, Kawaguchi, Saitama, Japan
- Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Saaya Takahashi
- Department of Breast Surgery, Kawaguchi Municipal Medical Center, Kawaguchi, Saitama, Japan
- Division of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Department of Surgery, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akemi Mibu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Kawaguchi Municipal Medical Center, Kawaguchi, Saitama, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Saigusa
- Department of Radiology, Kawaguchi Municipal Medical Center, Kawaguchi, Saitama, Japan
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Zhao Q, Yang F, Wu HL, Mo M, Ling YX, Liu GY. Contralateral axillary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer: An oligometastatic-like disease. Breast 2023; 72:103589. [PMID: 37839139 PMCID: PMC10582740 DOI: 10.1016/j.breast.2023.103589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Contralateral axillary lymph node metastasis (CAM) is rare. It remains controversial whether CAM should be regarded as a regional or distant metastatic disease. Our study aims to investigate the accurate clinical orientation and management of CAM. METHODS Two hundred and ninety-nine female patients diagnosed with breast cancer from 2000 to 2014 and confirmed to develop CAM, oligometastasis (OM) or locoregional recurrence (LRR) at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center (FUSCC) were included in this study. Baseline information and survival outcomes were analyzed and compared among the three groups. RESULTS Patients with CAM exhibited similar overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) to those with OM, but worse than those with LRR (HR: 0.47 [95 % CI: 0.27-0.85], p = 0.0097; HR:0.39 [95 % CI: 0.24-0.63], p < 0.0001, respectively). Considering the patients presented with CAM or OM as a whole, we found that local treatment combined with systemic treatment did not provide a superior survival benefit over systemic treatment alone. CONCLUSION CAM was similar to an oligometastatic-like disease, and patients with these diseases may benefit from systemic treatment. Adding local treatment failed to significantly improve OS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Zhao
- Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Fan Yang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Huai-Liang Wu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Miao Mo
- Clinical Statistics Center, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yun-Xiao Ling
- Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Guang-Yu Liu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
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Hannoun-Levi JM, Gal J, Polgar C, Strnad V, Loessl K, Polat B, Kauer-Domer D, Schiappa R, Gutierrez C. Second Conservative Treatment for Local Recurrence Breast Cancer: A GEC-ESTRO Oncological Outcome and Prognostic Factor Analysis. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2023; 117:1200-1210. [PMID: 37459998 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2023.06.075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE For second ipsilateral breast tumor event (2nd IBTE), second conservative treatment (2nd CT) combining lumpectomy plus accelerated partial breast reirradiation (APBrI) represents a curative option. The aim of this study was to analyze oncological prognostic factors for patients with a 2nd IBTE treated with 2nd CT. METHODS AND MATERIALS An analysis of clinical practices was conducted across 7 academic hospitals/cancer centers in 6 European countries based on the GEC-ESTRO database. Patients presenting a 2nd IBTE occurring after conservative surgery (lumpectomy + axillary evaluation) and irradiation performed for the primary tumor underwent a 2nd CT with brachytherapy-based APBrI. The main outcome was 5-year cumulative incidence (CI) rate of second local relapse. All analyzed patients were classified according to risk groups for Groupe Européen de Curiethérapie-European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (GEC-ESTRO) accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) and molecular classification and time interval between first and second breast surgery (TIS1S2). Finally, we combined GEC-ESTRO APBI, molecular, and TIS1S2 risk groups, leading to the definition of a new score (named TAM: score based on the combination of time interval [T] between first and second surgery and APBI [A] and molecular [M] classifications) specifically designed for 2nd IBTE oncological outcome analysis. RESULTS From July 1994 to January 2021, a total of 508 patients received a 2nd CT. At the time of 2nd IBTE, median age was 64.6 years (range, 56.2-72.6). With a median follow-up of 60.9 months (56.2-72.6), the 5-year second local relapse CI rate was 4% (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 2%-6%). The 5-year distant metastasis disease CI rate was 7% (95% CI, 4%-10%). Five-year disease-free and overall survival rates were 89% (95% CI, 86%-93%) and 91% (95% CI, 88%-94%), respectively. In multivariate analysis, TAM score was an independent prognostic factor for all the oncological items (P < .001) except disease-specific survival (P = .07) and overall survival (P = .09). The grade ≥3 late toxicity rate was 12.1%. CONCLUSIONS This analysis of 2nd CT combining lumpectomy with APBrI for 2nd IBTE confirmed the excellent oncological results obtained after 2nd CT. Furthermore, the GEC-ESTRO TAM score appears to be an important prognostic factor, assisting patients and physicians in the decision-making process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Michel Hannoun-Levi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Antoine Lacassagne Cancer Centre, University Cote d'Azur, Nice, France.
| | - Jocelyn Gal
- Department of Epidemiology/Biostatistics, Antoine Lacassagne Cancer Centre, University Cote d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Csaba Polgar
- Department of Oncology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; Centre of Radiotherapy, National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Vratislav Strnad
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Erlangen University Hospital, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Kristina Loessl
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Bulent Polat
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Wurzburg University, Wurzburg, Germany
| | - Daniela Kauer-Domer
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Renaud Schiappa
- Department of Epidemiology/Biostatistics, Antoine Lacassagne Cancer Centre, University Cote d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Crisitna Gutierrez
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain
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99mTc-labeled colloid SPECT/CT versus planar lymphoscintigraphy for sentinel lymph node detection in patients with breast cancer: a meta-analysis. Clin Transl Imaging 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s40336-022-00524-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background
The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT/CT) and planar lymphoscintigraphy (PL) in patients with primary breast cancer, undergoing lymphoscintigraphy at initial staging. Specifically, we assessed the detection rate (DR) for sentinel lymph node (SLN), the absolute number of detected SLNs by each technique, and the proportion of patients with additional SLNs detected by one technique compared to the other one. Finally, we aimed to evaluate the impact of SPECT/CT on the surgical approach.
Methods
Original articles, providing a head-to-head comparison between SPECT/CT and PL, including patients with primary breast cancer at first presentation, were searched in PubMed/MEDLINE and Scopus databases through March 31st, 2022. The DR of the imaging techniques was calculated on a per-patient analysis; studies were pooled on their odds ratios (ORs) with a random-effects model to assess the presence of a significant difference between the DRs of SPECT/CT and PL. The number of additional SLNs, calculated as relative risk (RR), and the pooled proportion of patients with additional SLNs using one imaging technique rather than the other one were investigated. The pooled ratio of surgical procedures (SLN harvesting) influenced by the use of SPECT/CT, according to the surgeons, was calculated.
Results
Sixteen studies with 2693 patients were eligible for the calculation of the DR of SPECT/CT and PL. The DR was 92.11% [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 89.32–94.50%] for SPECT/CT, and 85.12% (95% CI 80.58–89.15%) for PL, with an OR of 1.96 (95% CI 1.51–2.55) in favor of SPECT/CT. There was a relative risk of detection of larger number of SLNs (RR: 1.22, 95% CI 1.14–1.32; 12 studies; 979 patients) for SPECT/CT (n = 3983) compared to PL (n = 3321) and a significant proportion of patients with additional SLNs detected by SPECT/CT, which were missed by PL (18.88%, 95% CI: 11.72%-27.27%; 13 studies). Four articles, with a total number of 1427 patients, revealed that 23.98% of the surgical procedures benefited from the use of SPECT/CT.
Conclusions
This meta-analysis favors SPECT/CT over PL for the identification of SLN in patients with primary breast cancer at staging due to higher DR, more SLNs depicted, and a significant proportion of subjects with additional detected SLNs by SPECT/CT compared to PL. Furthermore, SPECT/CT positively influences the surgical procedure. However, PL remains a satisfactory imaging option for imaging departments not equipped with SPECT/CT due to its good patient-based DR.
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