Is there an indication for sentinel node biopsy in patients with ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast? A review

Selective omission of sentinel lymph node biopsy in mastectomy for ductal carcinoma in situ: identifying eligible candidates

BACKGROUND

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is recommended for patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) undergoing mastectomy, given the concerns regarding upstaging and technical difficulties of post-mastectomy SLNB. However, this may lead to potential overtreatment, considering favorable prognosis and de-escalation trends in DCIS. Data regarding upstaging and axillary lymph node metastasis among these patients remain limited.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed patients with DCIS who underwent mastectomy with SLNB or axillary lymph node dissection at Gangnam Severance Hospital between January 2010 and December 2021. To explore the feasibility of omitting SLNB, we assessed the rates of DCIS upgraded to invasive carcinoma and axillary lymph node metastasis. Binary Cox regression analysis was performed to identify clinicopathologic factors associated with upstaging and axillary lymph node metastasis.

RESULTS

Among 385 patients, 164 (42.6%) experienced an invasive carcinoma upgrade: microinvasion, pT1, and pT2 were confirmed in 53 (13.8%), 97 (25.2%), and 14 (3.6%) patients, respectively. Seventeen (4.4%) patients had axillary lymph node metastasis. Multivariable analysis identified age ≤ 50 years (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 12.73; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18-137.51; p = 0.036) and suspicious axillary lymph nodes on radiologic evaluation (adjusted OR, 9.31; 95% CI, 2.06-41.99; p = 0.004) as independent factors associated with axillary lymph node metastasis. Among patients aged > 50 years and/or no suspicious axillary lymph nodes, only 1.7-2.3%) experienced axillary lymph node metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS

Although underestimation of the invasive component was relatively high among patients with DCIS undergoing mastectomy, axillary lymph node metastasis was rare. Our findings suggest that omitting SLNB may be feasible for patients over 50 and/or without suspicious axillary lymph nodes on radiologic evaluation.

Mass-forming ductal carcinoma in situ: An ultrasonographic and histopathologic correlation study

Ultrasound (US) guided core needle biopsy (CNB) for mass lesions resulting in a diagnosis of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is often considered radiologically discordant and generates surgical planning difficulty. One hundred cases of US-guided CNB for mass lesions diagnosed as DCIS were collected from 2013 to 2021. Histological features were reviewed and correlated with radiology and surgical excision findings. Thirty (30%) were high-grade (HG), and seventy (70%) were low- to intermediate-grade. Seventy-one (71%) cases had a histological correlate of a mass-forming lesion, including 26 (26%) were associated with benign mass-forming lesions (category 1) such as papilloma, complex sclerosing lesion/radial scar, fibroadenoma, sclerosing adenosis, and ruptured cyst; 23 (23%) were HG with solid pattern, comedo necrosis, and stromal desmoplasia (category 2); and 22 (22%) had predominantly papillary architecture (category 3). Twenty-nine (29%) were discordant with no histologic correlate of a mass lesion (category 4). Follow-up excisions were available in 79 cases. Invasive carcinoma was identified in 14 cases (18%), of which 8 were from the radiologically discordant category (35%), 3 (17%) associated with HG DCIS with desmoplasia, 2 (10%) associated with benign mass lesion and 1(5%) was predominantly papillary architecture. US-guided CNB for mass-forming lesions with a DCIS diagnosis on CNB can be grouped into four categories. Radiology-pathology correlation is essential. This categorization emphasized rad-path correlation and had a clear difference in upgrade rate on follow-up excision. Rad-path discordant biopsy cases were more likely to be associated with a missed invasive carcinoma (p < 0.05).

Breast Lesions Diagnosed as Ductal Carcinoma In Situ by Ultrasound-Guided Core Needle Biopsy: Risk Predictors for Concomitant Invasive Carcinoma and Axillary Lymph Node Metastasis

Background

The major concern over preoperatively diagnosed ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of breast via ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy (US-CNB) is the risk of missing concomitant invasive carcinoma. It is crucial to identify risk predictors for such a phenomenon and evaluate its impact on axillary conditions to help surgeons determine which patients should receive appropriate axillary lymph node management.

Methods

Medical records of 260 patients preoperatively diagnosed with DCIS via 14-gauge CNB were retrospectively analyzed. All of them underwent subsequent surgery at our institution and were successively divided into invasive and non-invasive groups, and metastatic and non-metastatic groups according to pathology of resected specimens and metastasis of axillary lymph nodes (ALNs). Predictive value of preoperative physical examinations, imaging findings, histopathological findings, and hematological indexes for pathological underestimation and metastasis of ALN was assessed by logistic regression analysis.

Results

The concomitant invasive carcinoma was overlooked in 75 out of 260 patients (29.3%). Multivariate analysis revealed that presence of microinvasion, presence of abnormal lymph node on ultrasound, and absent linear or segmental distributed calcification on mammography were independent risk predictors for invasive carcinoma. Fourteen patients had lymph node metastasis, and five of them were in the non-invasive group. The presence of abnormal lymph node on ultrasound and increased ratio of platelet distribution width to platelet crit (PDW/PCT) (>52.85) were identified as independent risk predictors for ALN metastasis.

Conclusion

For patients diagnosed with DCIS preoperatively, appropriate ALN management is necessary if they have risk predictors for concomitant invasive carcinoma and ALN metastasis.

Necessity of sentinel lymph node biopsy in ductal carcinoma in situ patients: a retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is unnecessarily performed too often, owing to the high upstaging rates of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). This study aimed to evaluate the upstaging rates of DCIS to invasive cancer, determine the prevalence of axillary lymph node metastasis, and identify the clinicopathological factors associated with upstaging and lymph node metastasis. We also examined surgical patterns among DCIS patients and determined whether SLNB guidelines were followed.

METHODS

We retrospectively analysed 307 consecutive DCIS patients diagnosed by preoperative biopsy in a single centre between 2014 and 2018. Data from clinical records, including imaging studies, axillary and breast surgery types, and pathology results from preoperative and postoperative biopsies, were extracted. Univariate analyses using Chi-square tests and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to analyse the data.

RESULTS

The rate of upstaging to invasive cancer was 19.2% (59/307). DCIS diagnosed by core-needle biopsy (odds ratio [OR]: 6.861, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.429-19.379), the presence of ultrasonic mass-forming lesions (OR: 2.782, 95% CI: 1.224-6.320), and progesterone receptor-negative status (OR: 3.156, 95% CI: 1.197-8.323) were found to be associated with upstaging. The rate of sentinel lymph node metastasis was only 1.9% (4/202), and all were total mastectomy patients diagnosed by core-needle biopsy. SLNB was performed in 37.2% of 145 breast-conserving surgery patients and 91.4% of 162 total mastectomy patients. Among the 202 patients who underwent SLNB, 145 (71.7%) without invasive cancer on final pathology had redundant SLNB. Two of 59 patients (3.4%) with disease upstaged to invasive cancer had inadequate primary staging of the axilla, as the rate seemed sufficiently small.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with a preoperative diagnosis of DCIS, although an unavoidable possibility of upstaging to invasive cancer exists, axillary metastasis is unlikely. Only 2.7% of patients with DCIS undergoing total mastectomy were found to have sentinel lymph node metastases. SLNB should not be performed in breast-conserving surgery patients and should be reserved only for total mastectomy patients diagnosed by core-needle biopsy.

When Is Sentinel Node Biopsy Indicated in High-Risk Ductal Carcinoma in situ? Four Hundred Sixty-Eight Cases from Three Institutions

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is not indicated. However, in certain cases (size &#x3e;3 cm, high grade, mass effect on mammography, or palpable mass), it may be possible to find incidental invasive carcinoma (IC) that requires an SLNB. We studied the correlation of the aforesaid factors with the probability of finding IC in the surgical specimen. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Data was collected from 3 different institutions between 2010 and 2016, recording characteristics such as, but not limited to: high grade, size &#x3e;3 cm, mass effect on mammography, and palpable mass. <b><i>Results:</i></b> On the whole, 468 “high-risk” DCIS cases were identified, 139 (29%) of which had IC. When the DCIS was high grade or the size was &#x3e;3 cm, there was no significant difference in the probability of finding IC in the surgical specimen (OR = 1.13; 95% CI 0.84–1.51; OR = 1.2; 95% CI 0.85–1.40). Nevertheless, when a high grade and size (&#x3e;3 cm) were combined, IC was more likely to exist (72.7 vs. 27.3%; <i>p</i> = 0.001). In addition, mass effect and palpation were independently associated with a significantly greater degree of IC (OR = 12.76; 95% CI 6.93–23.52). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The results suggest that high-grade DCIS or DCIS with a size &#x3e;3 cm, independently, does not require SLNB. Nonetheless, in the event that both factors are found in the same case, SLNB may be indicated. Additionally, SLNB is advisable for DCIS cases that are palpable or show a mass effect on mammography.

Is Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Necessary for Ductal Carcinoma In Situ Patients Undergoing Mastectomy?

BACKGROUND

Current treatment guidelines for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) treated with mastectomy recommend sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). In the modern era, there is a trend toward minimizing invasive staging and treatment of the axilla. In this study, we seek to determine the role of SLNB in patients undergoing mastectomy for the treatment of DCIS.

METHODS

Patients undergoing mastectomy were identified from our institution's SLNB database from 2012 to 2016. Patients were included if core needle biopsy demonstrated DCIS. Patient demographics, tumor characteristics, and pathologic variables were abstracted.

RESULTS

Of 187 patients undergoing mastectomy with SLNB from 2012 to 2016 for DCIS or invasive ductal carcinoma, 39 (21%) were diagnosed with DCIS on core biopsy. Mean age was 57 years. 70% were Caucasian, 18% were African American, 8% were Asian, and the remaining 5% were unknown. One patient (3%) had positive nodes on SLNB and underwent axillary lymph node dissection. Of those with DCIS on core biopsy, 14 (36%) were upstaged to invasive disease on final surgical pathology, including the patient with positive SLNB. Of the remaining 25 (64%) patients with DCIS on final pathology, 0 (0%) had SLNB positivity.

CONCLUSION

Only 3% of patients with DCIS undergoing mastectomy were found to have SLN metastases. However, a significant number of patients (36%) were upstaged due to invasive cancer. Although limited by a small sample size, our results suggest that SLNB should still be recommended to patients undergoing mastectomy for DCIS on core needle biopsy due to the high rate of upstage rate to invasive disease.

Does sentinel lymph node biopsy for screening high-grade ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast cause more harm than good?

PURPOSE

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast does not metastasize to axillary lymph nodes. Yet high-grade DCIS (HgDCIS) is often subjected to Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (SLNB) concomitant with definitive surgery. This is to avoid further axillary surgery in the event of upstaging to invasive carcinoma, which often entails Axillary Lymph Node Dissection (ALND). We wished to examine the validity of this approach.

METHODS

This study includes a retrospective analysis of consecutive pre-operatively diagnosed HgDCIS patients from a single screening unit between December/2014 and August/2016. The main outcomes were the overall incidence of upstaging and the independent predictors of upstaging on multivariable analysis. The rates of various complications of SLNB vs ALND in four RCTs were used to calculate the upstaging rate below which SLNB could be safely omitted.

RESULTS

There were 224 eligible patients of whom 26 (11.6%) were upstaged. Axillary metastasis (pN1) occurred in two patients (0.9%). On Univariable analysis, upstaged patients were significantly younger (median (IQR) = 56.0 (51.0-63) vs 60.0 (54.0-65.0); p = 0.019). Radiological size, pathological size, type of biopsy, type of operation, and comedo-necrosis were not significant (p > 0.05). On multivariable analysis, age as a continuous variable (OR 0.93; p = 0.031) and core biopsy (OR 2.62; p = 0.036) were the only independent predictors of upstaging. Chi-square test showed that patients < 55 years whose pre-operative diagnosis was made on core biopsy were at significantly higher risk of upstaging than the others (31.8% vs 9.4%; p = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

Upstaging of HgDCIS is infrequent. According to the known rates of complications of SLNB relative to ALND, routine SLNB concomitant with surgery seems to be more harmful than its routine omission. A selective approach based on age and type of biopsy could be considered.

Multicentre study of the risk of invasive cancer and use of sentinel node biopsy in women with a preoperative diagnosis of ductal carcinoma in situ

Background

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) in the breast that is diagnosed by biopsy implies a risk of upstaging to invasive carcinoma (IC) on final pathology. These patients require a sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) for axillary staging. A two-stage procedure is not always feasible and precise selection of patients who should be offered SLNB is crucial. The aims were: to determine the rate of upstaging, and use of redundant and required SLNB in women with a preoperative diagnosis of DCIS; and to identify patient and tumour characteristics that increase the risk of upstaging.

Methods

Patients with DCIS treated between 2008 and 2016 were identified using Orbit operation planning system software, and those suitable for the study were selected based on review of the medical records. Upstaging rates and proportions of redundant and required SLNBs were calculated. Associations between clinicopathological characteristics and upstaging were analysed using univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses.

Results

Of 1368 patients initially identified, 975 women with a preoperative diagnosis of DCIS were included in the study. Tumours in 246 of these patients (25·2 per cent) were upstaged to IC. Redundant SLNB was performed in 392 of 975 women (40·2 per cent). Forty-four patients (4·5 per cent) with a final diagnosis of IC were not offered SLNB and thus potentially undertreated. In adjusted analysis, DCIS size, palpability and mass formation identified by breast imaging were associated with increased risk of upstaging. The Van Nuys classification was not associated with upstaging.

Conclusion

Most patients with IC on final pathology underwent SLNB, but a considerable number of patients with DCIS had a redundant SLNB. Lesion size, palpability and mass formation, but not Van Nuys classification group, are suggested risk factors for upstaging.

Risk factors of sentinel and non-sentinel lymph node metastases in patients with ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast: A nationwide study

OBJECTIVES

Unexplained axillary metastases have been detected in some patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), possibly because of occult invasion or iatrogenic tumor cell displacement. The significance of these metastases is unknown and brings into questions the need for upstaging and axillary surgery. What are the risk factors for sentinel lymph node (SN) and non-SN metastases, including the risk of iatrogenic displacement of tumor cells in relation to an excisional biopsy, in patients diagnosed with DCIS?

METHODS

Nationwide data on 1787 women diagnosed with DCIS between 2001 and 2015 were retrieved from the Danish Breast Cancer Group database. The association of clinicopathological variables with a positive SN (isolated tumor cells (ITCs), micro- or macrometastases) was evaluated using univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

Of the 1787 patients, 71 (4.0%) had a positive SN: 15 (0.8%) had macrometastases, 42 (2.4%) had micrometastases, and 14 (0.8%) had ITCs. Five patients with a positive SN also had a positive non-SN. In adjusted analysis, a positive SN was associated with younger age (P = 0.036), increased size (P = 0.002), palpability (P = 0.0004) and surgical excisional biopsy (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The overall risk of a positive SN in patients with DCIS on final pathology is low and less than 9% of these patients had positive non-SNs. This argues against using axillary lymph node dissection in this group. The odds of positive SN after surgical excisional biopsies showed more than a four-fold increase, indicating iatrogenic tumor cell displacement. It is questioned whether these patients should be upstaged and classified as having invasive carcinoma.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy in low risk settings

BACKGROUND

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) should be performed in patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) undergoing mastectomy. Yet, the same logic is controversial in the setting of prophylactic mastectomy.

METHODS

Surgeons were surveyed as to their practices. Statistical analyses were performed to identify associated factors.

RESULTS

238 surgeons responded to the survey. 73.1% of respondents stated they would always perform SLNB in the setting of mastectomy for DCIS, but only 6.6% would always do so in the prophylactic setting. While generally perceived that the rate of SLN positivity in the setting of pure DCIS and prophylactic mastectomy was <5% (96.9% and 99.5%, respectively), 61.8% of surgeons who reported "always" performing SLNB in the setting of DCIS treated with mastectomy stated they "never" performed a SLNB for prophylactic mastectomy.

CONCLUSION

SLNB practice patterns for these low risk settings are disparate. Consensus is required to rationalize practice.

Sentinel Node Procedure Obsolete in Lumpectomy for Ductal Carcinoma In Situ

BACKGROUND

Patients with a preoperative needle-biopsy diagnosis of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) may have an indication for a sentinel lymph node biopsy if invasive carcinoma is found. We investigated how often a positive sentinel node and invasive carcinoma occurred in patients with a preoperative diagnosis of DCIS and whether this influenced the adjuvant regime.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From 2005 to 2014, the records of 240 patients with needle-biopsy diagnosis of DCIS were retrospectively reviewed for postoperative pathology outcomes of the sentinel node and breast, and decisions on adjuvant treatment. Descriptive statistics and univariable and multivariable analysis were used.

RESULTS

A total of 160 of 240 patients underwent a sentinel node biopsy. Sixteen of 85 patients undergoing lumpectomy had occult invasive cancer. One patient had a micrometastasis. In patients undergoing mastectomy, 30 of 155 patients had occult invasive cancer. One patient had a micrometastasis, and 3 had a macrometastases. Eleven patients received adjuvant treatment as a result of invasive cancer. Three patients received adjuvant treatment (radiotherapy of the axilla or axillary dissection) because of node positivity. These patients underwent a primary mastectomy.

CONCLUSION

A positive sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with needle-biopsy diagnosis of ductal DCIS is rare and rarely changes adjuvant regimes. Current Dutch guidelines should be updated.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy can be omitted in DCIS patients treated with breast conserving therapy

Breast cancer guidelines advise sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) on core biopsy at high risk of invasive cancer or in case of mastectomy. This study investigates the incidence of SLNB and SLN metastases and the relevance of indications in guidelines and literature to perform SLNB in order to validate whether SLNB is justified in patients with DCIS on core biopsy in current era. Clinically node negative patients diagnosed from 2004 to 2013 with only DCIS on core needle biopsy were selected from a national database. Incidence of SLN biopsy and metastases was calculated. With Fisher exact tests correlation between SLNB indications and actual presence of SLN metastases was studied. Further, underestimation rate for invasive cancer and correlation with SLN metastases was analysed. 910 patients were included. SLNB was performed in 471 patients (51.8 %): 94.5 % had pN0, 3.0 % pN1mi and 2.5 % pN1. Patients undergoing mastectomy had 7 % SLN metastases versus 3.5 % for breast conserving surgery (BCS) (p = 0.107). The only factors correlating to SLN metastases were smaller core needle size (p = 0.01) and invasive cancer (p < 0.001). Invasive cancer was detected in 16.7 % by histopathology with 15.6 % SLN metastases versus only 2 % in pure DCIS. SLNB showed metastases in 5.5 % of patients; 3.5 % in case of BCS (any histopathology) and 2 % when pure DCIS was found at definitive histopathology (BCS and mastectomy). Consequently, SLNB should no longer be performed in patients diagnosed with DCIS on core biopsy undergoing BCS. If definitive histopathology shows invasive cancer, SLNB can still be considered after initial surgery.

International variation in management of screen-detected ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast

BACKGROUND

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) incidence has grown with the implementation of screening and its detection varies across International Cancer Screening Network (ICSN) countries. The aim of this survey is to describe the management of screen-detected DCIS in ICSN countries and to evaluate the potential for treatment related morbidity.

METHODS

We sought screen-detected DCIS data from the ICSN countries identified during 2004-2008. We adopted standardised data collection forms and analysis and explored DCIS diagnosis and treatment processes ranging from pre-operative diagnosis to type of surgery and radiotherapy.

RESULTS

Twelve countries contributed data from a total of 15 screening programmes, all from Europe except the United States of America and Japan. Among women aged 50-69 years, 7,176,050 screening tests and 5324 screen-detected DCIS were reported. From 21% to 93% of DCIS had a pre-operative diagnosis (PO); 67-90% of DCIS received breast conservation surgery (BCS), and in 41-100% of the cases this was followed by radiotherapy; 6.4-59% received sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) only and 0.8-49% axillary dissection (ALND) with 0.6% (range by programmes 0-8.1%) being node positive. Among BCS patients 35% received SLNB only and 4.8% received ALND. Starting in 2006, PO and SLNB use increased while ALND remained stable. SLNB and ALND were associated with larger size and higher grade DCIS lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

Variation in DCIS management among screened women is wide and includes lymph node surgery beyond what is currently recommended. This indicates the presence of varying levels of overtreatment and the potential for its reduction.

Incidence of and risk factors for sentinel lymph node metastasis in patients with a postoperative diagnosis of ductal carcinoma in situ

Background

Positive sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) are found in up to 13 per cent of women with a preoperative diagnosis of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast and in up to 4 per cent of those with a postoperative diagnosis. This retrospective national register study investigated the incidence of positive SLNs in women with a postoperative diagnosis of DCIS, and the value of additional tumour sectioning to identify occult tumour invasion.

Methods

All surgical patients with a final histopathological diagnosis of pure DCIS registered in the Swedish national breast cancer register in 2008 and 2009 were eligible. Additional sectioning was performed on archived primary tumour tissue from women with SLN metastasis (including cases of isolated tumour cells) and matched SLN-negative control patients with the aim of detecting occult invasion.

Results

SLN tumour deposits were reported in 11 of 753 women who had SLN biopsy (macrometastases, 2; micrometastases, 3; isolated tumour cells, 6), resulting in a SLN positivity rate of 0·7 per cent (5 of 753). Occult invasion was found in one (9 per cent) of these 11 patients and in two (10 per cent) of 21 control patients. No risk factors for SLN metastasis were identified.

Conclusion

SLN positivity is rare in women with a histopathological diagnosis of pure DCIS. Additional primary tumour assessment may reveal occult invasion in both SLN metastasis-positive and -negative patients. The value of performing SLN biopsy in the setting of a preoperative diagnosis of DCIS was limited, and current Swedish practice should therefore be questioned.

Extensive pure ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast: identification of predictors of associated infiltrating carcinoma and lymph node metastasis before immediate reconstructive surgery

AIM

To identify predictors for infiltrating carcinoma and lymph node involvement, before immediate breast reconstructive surgery, in patients with an initial diagnosis of extensive pure ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast (DCIS).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between January 2000 and December 2009, 241 patients with pure extensive DCIS in preoperative biopsy had underwent mastectomy. Axillary staging (sentinel node and/or axillary dissection) was performed in 92% (n = 221) of patients. Patients with micro-invasive lesions at initial diagnosis, recurrence or contralateral breast cancer were excluded.

RESULTS

Respectively 14% and 21% of patients had a final diagnosis of micro-invasive carcinoma (MIC) and invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). Univariate analysis showed that the following variables at diagnosis were significantly correlated with the presence of either MIC or IDC in the mastectomy specimen: palpable tumor (p = 0.002), high grade DCIS (p = 0.002) and detection of an opacity by mammography (p = 0.019). Axillary lymph node (ALN) involvement was reported in 9% of patients. Univariate analysis suggested that a body mass index higher than 25 (p = 0.007), a palpable tumor (p = 0.012) and the detection of an opacity by mammography (p = 0.044) were associated with an increased rate of ALN involvement.

CONCLUSION

Skin-sparing mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction (IBRS) has become increasingly popular, especially for patients with extended DCIS of the breast. This study confirmed that extended DCIS is associated with a substantial risk of finding MIC or IDC on the surgical specimen but also ALN involvement. Adjuvant systemic treatment and/or radiotherapy could be indicated for some of these patients after the surgery. Patients should be informed of the rate of 1) complications associated to IBRS that will potentially delay the introduction of systemic or local therapy 2) complications associated to radiotherapy after IBRS.

Ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast: current concepts and future directions

CONTEXT

In situ carcinomas of the breast constitute 15% to 30% of all newly diagnosed breast cancer cases; 80% of these in situ lesions belong to the ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) category. Similar to invasive breast carcinomas, DCIS is not a single disease but rather many distinct diseases with different histopathologic and molecular characteristics, a propensity to progress to invasive disease, and differential response to treatment.

OBJECTIVE

To review the classic pathologic parameters of clinical significance and the differential diagnosis of the DCIS lesions, present our new understanding of the importance of biomarkers, and discuss innovative approaches for targeted therapy in DCIS.

DATA SOURCES

Extensive review of the relevant peer-reviewed literature.

CONCLUSIONS

In DCIS, improved understanding of the underlying biologic pathways of tumor progression is expected to lead to more accurate classification and innovative targeted treatment approaches for the management of these lesions.

[Metastases in patients with breast cancer despite of negative sentinel lymph node. Has the concept to be changed?]

The sentinel lymph node (SLN) is of considerable prognostic relevance, because extended lymph node dissection may not be performed in patients presenting with histologically negative SLN. The aim of this study was to prove the prognostic value of the SLN-concept in these patients in long term follow-up.

PATIENTS, METHODS

The clinical follow-up of 202 women with histologically proven breast cancer and metastatically uninvolved (negative) SLN, as determined using Tc-99m-nanocolloid, was observed for a mean period of 43.4 months. Histological examination included standard methods (HE-Test) and special histochemical techniques (antibodies against cytokeratin). All patients underwent clinical examinations and mamography according a standardised schema; other procedures like ultrasound examination, routine blood tests, and chest X-ray scans were performed in patients considered doubtful after clinical examination or mamography.

RESULTS

Despite of negative SLN-findings in 14/202 patients (6.9%) metastases were found after a mean time period of 35.9 months. 4 patients showed local re-lapses, 3 patients presented with regional lymph node recurrences in the previously mapped (negative) SLN-basin, and 7 Patients developed distant metastases outside the primary lymphatic basin.

CONCLUSION

In patients negative on SLN-biopsy the axillary lymph-node-recurrence-rate was low; in 3/202 patients (1.5%) a progression in the SLN-basin could be assessed, being real concept failures. Our results underline that there is no evidence to question this concept in patients presented with clinically metastatically uninvolved early stage of breast cancer.

Ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast represents a complex, heterogeneous pathologic condition in which malignant epithelial cells are confined within the ducts of the breast without evidence of invasion. The increased use of screening mammography has led to a significant shift in the diagnosis of DCIS, accounting for approximately 27% of all newly diagnosed cases of breast cancer in 2011, with an overall increase in incidence. As the incidence of DCIS increases, the treatment options continue to evolve. Consistent pathologic evaluation is crucial in optimizing treatment recommendations. Surgical treatment options include breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and mastectomy. Postoperative radiation therapy in combination with breast-conserving surgery is considered the standard of care with demonstrated decrease in local recurrence with the addition of radiation therapy. The role of endocrine therapy is currently being evaluated. The optimization of diagnostic imaging, treatment with regard to pathological risk assessment, and the role of partial breast irradiation continue to evolve.

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Pure DCIS: Is It Necessary?

Introduction. Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in patients with pure ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) has been a matter of debate due to very low rate of axillary metastases. We therefore aimed to identify factors in a single institutional series to select patients who may benefit from SLNB. Material and Methods. Patients, diagnosed with pure DCIS (n = 63) between July 2000 and March 2011, were reviewed. All the sentinel lymph nodes were examined by serial sectioning (50 μm) of the entire lymph node and H&E staining, and by cytokeratin immunostaining in suspicious cases. Results. Median age was 51 (range, 30-79). Of 63 patients, 40 cases (63.5%) with pure DCIS underwent SLN, and 2 of them had a positive SLN (5%). In both 2 cases with SLN metastases, only one sentinel lymph node was involved with tumor cells. Patients who underwent SLNB were more likely to have a tumor size >30 mm or DCIS with intermediate and high nuclear grade or a mastectomy in univariate and multivariate analyses. Conclusion. In our series, we found a slightly higher rate of SLNB positivity in patients with pure DCIS than the large series reported elsewhere. This may either be due to the meticulous examination of SLNs by serial sectioning technique or due to our patient selection criteria or both.

Recent advances in the surgical care of breast cancer patients

A tremendous improvement in every aspect of breast cancer management has occurred in the last two decades. Surgeons, once solely interested in the extipartion of the primary tumor, are now faced with the need to incorporate a great deal of information, and to manage increasingly complex tasks.

As a comprehensive assessment of all aspects of breast cancer care is beyond the scope of the present paper, the current review will point out some of these innovations, evidence some controversies, and stress the need for the surgeon to specialize in the various aspects of treatment and to be integrated into the multisciplinary breast unit team.

High and intermediate grade ductal carcinoma in-situ of the breast: a comparison of pathologic features in core biopsies and excisions and an evaluation of core biopsy features that may predict a close or positive margin in the excision

Low and high-grade ductal carcinoma in-situ (DCIS) are known to be highly disparate by a multitude of parameters, including progression potential, immunophenotype, gene expression profile and DNA ploidy. In this study, we analyzed a group of intermediate and high-grade DCIS cases to determine how well the core biopsy predicts the maximal pathology in the associated excisions, and to determine if there are any core biopsy morphologic features that may predict a close (≤ 0.2 cm) or positive margin in the subsequent excision. Forty-nine consecutive paired specimens [core biopsies with a maximal diagnosis of DCIS, and their corresponding excisions, which included 20 and 29 specimens from mastectomies and breast conserving surgeries respectively] were evaluated in detail. In 5 (10%) of 49 cases, no residual carcinoma was found in the excision. In another 4 cases, the changes were diagnostic only of atypical ductal hyperplasia. There were 4 and 3 respective cases of invasive and microinvasive carcinoma out of the 49 excision specimens, for an overall invasion frequency of 14%. In 28 cases where a sentinel lymph node evaluation was performed, only 1 was found to be positive. Among the 40 cases with at least residual DCIS in the excision, there were 5 cases in which comedo-pattern DCIS was present in the excision but not in the core biopsy, attributed to the lower maximal nuclear grade in the biopsy proliferation in 4 cases and the absence of central necrosis in the 5^th. For the other main histologic patterns, in 8 (20%) of 40 cases, there were more patterns identified in the core biopsy than in the corresponding excision. For the other 32 cases, 100%, 66%, 50%, 33% and 25% of the number of histologic patterns in the excisions were captured in 35%, 5%, 17.5%, 15% and 7.5% of the preceding core biopsies respectively. Therefore, the core biopsy reflected at least half of the non-comedo histologic patterns in 77.5% of cases. In 6(15%) of the 40 cases, the maximum nuclear grade of the excision (grade 3) was higher than that seen in the core biopsy (grade 2). Overall, however, the maximum nuclear grade in the excision was significantly predicted by maximum nuclear grade in the core biopsy (p = 0.028), with a Phi of 0.347, indicating a moderately strong association. At a size threshold of 2.7 cm, there was no significant association between lesional size and core biopsy features. Furthermore, the clear margin width of the cases with lesional size ≤ 2.7 cm (mean 0.69 cm) was not significantly different (p = 0.4) from the cases with lesional size > 2.7 cm (mean 0.56 cm). Finally, among a variety of core biopsy features that were evaluated, including maximum nuclear grade, necrosis, cancerization of lobules, number of tissue cores with DCIS, number of DCIS ducts per tissue core, total DCIS ducts, or comedo-pattern, only necrosis was significantly associated with a positive or close (≤ 0.2 cm) margin on multivariate analysis (Phi of 0.350). It is concluded that a significant change [to invasive disease (14%) or to no residual disease (10%)] is seen in approximately 24% of excisions that follow a core biopsy diagnosis of intermediate or high-grade DCIS. Core biopsy features are of limited value in predicting a close or positive margin in these lesions.

The pen and the scalpel: effect of diffusion of information on nonclinical variations in surgical treatment

BACKGROUND

As information is disseminated about best practices, variations in patterns of care should diminish over time.

OBJECTIVE

To test the hypotheses that differences in rates of a surgical procedure are associated with type of insurance in an era of evolving practice guidelines and that insurance and site differences diminish with time as consensus guidelines disseminate among the medical community.

METHODS

We use lymph node dissection among women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) as an example of a procedure with uncertain benefit. Using a sample of 1051 women diagnosed from 1985 through 2000 at 2 geographic sites, we collected detailed demographic, clinical, pathologic, and treatment information through abstraction of multiple medical records. We specified multivariate logistic models with flexible functions of time and time interactions with insurance and treatment site to test hypotheses.

RESULTS

Lymph node dissection rates varied significantly according to site of treatment and insurance status after controlling for clinical, pathologic, treatment, and demographic characteristics. Rates of lymph node dissection decreased over time, and differences in lymph node dissection rates according to site and generosity of insurance were no longer significant by the end of the study period.

CONCLUSIONS

We have demonstrated that rates of a discretionary surgical procedure differ according to nonclinical factors, such as treatment site and type of insurance, and that such unwarranted variation decreases over time with diminishing uncertainty and in an era of diffusion of clinical guidelines.

The sentinel node in breast cancer

Biopsy of the sentinel lymph node now forms part of routine management in many centres dealing with early stage breast cancer. This article seeks to discuss developments over the past number of years and to summarise current practice.

The role of sentinel node biopsy in ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast

AIM

Sentinel node biopsy (SNB) is an accepted alternative to lymphadenectomy in the case of invasive breast carcinoma, although the sentinel node's role in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) diagnosed on core needle biopsy has not been well defined nevertheless guidelines recommend this procedure. The purpose of this study was to determine the diagnostic value of sentinel nodes in female patients with primary DCIS using core needle stereotactic biopsy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Between the years 2000 and 2005, 261 patients were diagnosed with DCIS by core needle biopsy. In this group, 183 patients underwent SNB to determine lymph node involvement. Those patients with metastases to the sentinel node underwent axillary lymphadenectomy.

RESULTS

In the group of 183 patients that underwent SNB, 10 patients (5.5%) showed metastases to the sentinel lymph node. Histopathological studies of the primary lesions of these 10 patients revealed invasive ductal carcinoma in 6 cases (3.5%) and 1 case (0.5%) of invasive lobular carcinoma. Only 3 of the patients (1.5%) were given a final diagnosis of DCIS with metastases to sentinel lymph nodes, of which 2 cases were DCIS and 1 case was DCIS with microinvasion. Axillary lymphadenectomy performed on patients with abnormal SNB showed involvement of other axillary lymph nodes in 4 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

SNB as a diagnostic tool in DCIS remains controversial as the number of cases of axillary lymph node metastases is minuscule. The biggest clinical challenge in this situation is a group of patients with primary diagnosis of DCIS in which invasive components are seen by mammotomic biopsy.

Recent advances and current controversies in the management of DCIS of the breast

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is commonly diagnosed today, mainly due to widespread use of screening mammography. Despite a better understanding of its biological behavior, many issues regarding its optimal management remain controversial. The biological behavior of DCIS has been associated with distinct molecular and histological features (such as expression of COX2, Ki67, c-erbB2, p53 mutation, presence or absence of comedonecrosis, nuclear grade, hormone receptor status, etc.). Recent advances in the diagnosis of DCIS include using magnetic resonance imaging, and the use of stereotactic-guided directional vacuum-assisted biopsy (DVAB). Ductoscopy and ductal lavage have a limited role in the management of DCIS. Surgical treatment of DCIS includes simple local excision to various forms of wider excision (segmental resection or quadrantectomy), or even mastectomy (either simple or skin-sparing). Radiotherapy following breast-conserving surgery significantly reduces local recurrence rates. Axillary lymph node dissection is not required for the management of DCIS; however, during the last decade, sentinel lymph node biopsy is increasingly used to exclude the presence of axillary metastases (when invasive disease is present within the DCIS). This approach has many advantages (including the avoidance of a second surgery if invasive disease is diagnosed within the DCIS) and should be considered when there is an increased probability for the presence of invasive breast cancer within the DCIS. The role of other minimally invasive methods (such as the "therapeutic" application of the DVAB technique, radiofrequency ablation, laser therapy, cryotherapy and brachytherapy) in the management of small DCIS remains unproven. Tamoxifen should be considered in the management of selected patients with DCIS, such as patients with hormone receptor positive DCIS, young patients, and patients without risk factors for potential side effects. Additionally, and controversial, there is evidence that aromatase inhibitors may be better than tamoxifen in the management of DCIS.