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McDonald ES, Scheel JR, Lewin AA, Weinstein SP, Dodelzon K, Dogan BE, Fitzpatrick A, Kuzmiak CM, Newell MS, Paulis LV, Pilewskie M, Salkowski LR, Silva HC, Sharpe RE, Specht JM, Ulaner GA, Slanetz PJ. ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Imaging of Invasive Breast Cancer. J Am Coll Radiol 2024; 21:S168-S202. [PMID: 38823943 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacr.2024.02.021] [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: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
As the proportion of women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer increases, the role of imaging for staging and surveillance purposes should be determined based on evidence-based guidelines. It is important to understand the indications for extent of disease evaluation and staging, as unnecessary imaging can delay care and even result in adverse outcomes. In asymptomatic patients that received treatment for curative intent, there is no role for imaging to screen for distant recurrence. Routine surveillance with an annual 2-D mammogram and/or tomosynthesis is recommended to detect an in-breast recurrence or a new primary breast cancer in women with a history of breast cancer, and MRI is increasingly used as an additional screening tool in this population, especially in women with dense breasts. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision process support the systematic analysis of the medical literature from peer reviewed journals. Established methodology principles such as Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE are adapted to evaluate the evidence. The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method User Manual provides the methodology to determine the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where peer reviewed literature is lacking or equivocal, experts may be the primary evidentiary source available to formulate a recommendation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth S McDonald
- Research Author, Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - John R Scheel
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee.
| | - Alana A Lewin
- Panel Chair, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Susan P Weinstein
- Panel Vice Chair, Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Basak E Dogan
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Amy Fitzpatrick
- Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, Primary care physician
| | | | - Mary S Newell
- Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia; RADS Committee
| | | | - Melissa Pilewskie
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Society of Surgical Oncology
| | - Lonie R Salkowski
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - H Colleen Silva
- The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; American College of Surgeons
| | | | - Jennifer M Specht
- University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; American Society of Clinical Oncology
| | - Gary A Ulaner
- Hoag Family Cancer Institute, Newport Beach, California; University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California; Commission on Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
| | - Priscilla J Slanetz
- Specialty Chair, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
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2
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Man V, Luk WP, Fung LH, Kwong A. The role of pre-operative axillary ultrasound in assessment of axillary tumor burden in breast cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2022; 196:245-254. [PMID: 36138294 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-022-06699-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent studies have suggested that a significant proportion of patients with axillary nodal metastases diagnosed by pre-operative axillary ultrasound (AUS)-guided needle biopsy were over-treated with axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). The role of routine AUS and needle biopsy in early breast cancer was questioned. This review aims to determine if pre-operative AUS could predict the extent of axillary tumor burden and need of ALND. METHODS PubMed and Embase literature databases were searched systematically for abnormal AUS characteristics and axillary nodal burden. Studies were eligible if they correlated the sonographic abnormalities in AUS with the resultant axillary nodal burden in ALND according to the ACOSOG Z0011 criteria. RESULTS Eleven retrospective studies and one prospective study with 1658 patients were included. Sixty-five percent of patients with one abnormal lymph node in AUS and 56% of those with two had low axillary nodal burden. Using one abnormal lymph node as the cut-off, the pooled sensitivity and specificity in prediction of axillary nodal burden were 66% (95%CI 63-69%) and 73% (95% CI 70-76%), respectively. Across the six studies that evaluated suspicious nodal characteristics, increased nodal cortical thickness may be associated with high axillary nodal burden. CONCLUSION More than half of the patients with pre-operative positive AUS and biopsy proven axillary nodal metastases were over-treated by ALND. Quantification of suspicious nodes and extent of cortical morphological changes in AUS may help identify suitable patients for sentinel lymph node biopsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivian Man
- Division of Breast Surgery, Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, K1401, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Wing-Pan Luk
- Medical Physics and Research Department, Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Ling-Hiu Fung
- Medical Physics and Research Department, Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Ava Kwong
- Chief of Breast Surgery Division, Department of Surgery,, Daniel CK Yu Professor in Breast Cancer Research, The University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, K1401, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR.
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3
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Robbins T, Hoskin TL, Day CN, Mrdutt MM, Hieken TJ, Jakub JW, Glazebrook K, Boughey JC, Degnim AC. Node Positivity Among Sonographically Suspicious but FNA-Negative Axillary Nodes. Ann Surg Oncol 2022; 29:6276-6287. [PMID: 35854027 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-022-12131-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fine needle aspiration (FNA) of sonographically suspicious axillary lymph nodes is helpful to clinically stage patients and guide consideration of neoadjuvant therapy in breast cancer. However, data are limited for suspicious nodes that are FNA negative. Our goal is to compare the frequency of node positivity between patients with negative axillary ultrasound (AUSneg) versus suspicious AUS with negative FNA (FNAneg). METHODS With IRB approval, we identified all clinically node-negative (cN0) patients with invasive breast cancer treated with upfront surgery at our tertiary care center between 2016 and 2021. AUS is routinely performed with FNA of suspicious lymph node(s). We compared clinicopathologic characteristics and nodal positivity rates between AUSneg and FNAneg groups. RESULTS A total of 1580 cN0 patients with invasive breast cancer were analyzed, including 1240 AUSneg and 340 FNAneg patients. The FNAneg group was younger (median age 59.7 years versus 63.5 years, p < 0.001) and had higher clinical T (cT) category (29.1% versus 21.7% with cT2-cT4 disease, p = 0.005). Final axillary pathologic node positivity did not differ significantly between the AUSneg and FNAneg groups (16.5% versus 19.1%, p = 0.25). Among FNAneg patients, 58/340 (17.1%) had a clip placed, with retrieval confirmed in 28/58 (48.3%). Of the 28 retrieved clipped nodes, 27 were sentinel nodes. Final pathologic nodal status (pN+%) did not differ between patients in whom retrieval of the clipped node was confirmed versus not confirmed (28.6% versus 16.7%, p = 0.28). CONCLUSIONS Both patients with sonographically suspicious node(s) and negative FNA and patients with negative AUS have a similarly low chance of positive nodes. Additionally, routine targeted excision of FNA-negative clipped nodes is not warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Robbins
- Division of Breast and Melanoma Surgical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Tanya L Hoskin
- Division of Breast and Melanoma Surgical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.,Division of Clinical Trials and Biostatistics, Mayo Clinic Rochester, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Courtney N Day
- Division of Clinical Trials and Biostatistics, Mayo Clinic Rochester, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Mary M Mrdutt
- Division of Breast and Melanoma Surgical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Tina J Hieken
- Division of Breast and Melanoma Surgical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - James W Jakub
- Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | | | - Judy C Boughey
- Division of Breast and Melanoma Surgical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Amy C Degnim
- Division of Breast and Melanoma Surgical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
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Le-Petross HT, Slanetz PJ, Lewin AA, Bao J, Dibble EH, Golshan M, Hayward JH, Kubicky CD, Leitch AM, Newell MS, Prifti C, Sanford MF, Scheel JR, Sharpe RE, Weinstein SP, Moy L. ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Imaging of the Axilla. J Am Coll Radiol 2022; 19:S87-S113. [PMID: 35550807 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacr.2022.02.010] [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: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
This publication reviews the current evidence supporting the imaging approach of the axilla in various scenarios with broad differential diagnosis ranging from inflammatory to malignant etiologies. Controversies on the management of axillary adenopathy results in disagreement on the appropriate axillary imaging tests. Ultrasound is often the appropriate initial imaging test in several clinical scenarios. Clinical information (such as age, physical examinations, risk factors) and concurrent complete breast evaluation with mammogram, tomosynthesis, or MRI impact the type of initial imaging test for the axilla. Several impactful clinical trials demonstrated that selected patient's population can received sentinel lymph node biopsy instead of axillary lymph node dissection with similar overall survival, and axillary lymph node dissection is a safe alternative as the nodal staging procedure for clinically node negative patients or even for some node positive patients with limited nodal tumor burden. This approach is not universally accepted, which adversely affect the type of imaging tests considered appropriate for axilla. This document is focused on the initial imaging of the axilla in various scenarios, with the understanding that concurrent or subsequent additional tests may also be performed for the breast. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer reviewed journals and the application of well-established methodologies (RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE) to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where evidence is lacking or equivocal, expert opinion may supplement the available evidence to recommend imaging or treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Huong T Le-Petross
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas; Director of Breast MRI.
| | - Priscilla J Slanetz
- Panel Chair, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts; Vice Chair of Academic Affairs, Department of Radiology, Boston Medical Center; Associate Program Director, Diagnostic Radiology Residency, Boston Medical Center; Program Director, Early Career Faculty Development Program, Boston University Medical Campus; Co-Director, Academic Writing Program, Boston University Medical Group; President, Massachusetts Radiological Society; Vice President, Association of University Radiologists
| | - Alana A Lewin
- Panel Vice-Chair, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York; Associate Program Director, Breast Imaging Fellowship, NYU Langone Medical Center
| | - Jean Bao
- Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, California; Society of Surgical Oncology
| | | | - Mehra Golshan
- Smilow Cancer Hospital, Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, Connecticut; American College of Surgeons; Deputy CMO for Surgical Services and Breast Program Director, Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale; Executive Vice Chair for Surgery, Yale School of Medicine
| | - Jessica H Hayward
- University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California; Co-Fellowship Direction, Breast Imaging Fellowship
| | | | - A Marilyn Leitch
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas; American Society of Clinical Oncology
| | - Mary S Newell
- Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia; Interim Director, Division of Breast Imaging at Emory; ACR: Chair of BI-RADS; Chair of PP/TS
| | - Christine Prifti
- Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, Primary care physician
| | | | | | | | - Susan P Weinstein
- Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Associate Chief of Radiology, San Francisco VA Health Systems
| | - Linda Moy
- Specialty Chair, NYU Clinical Cancer Center, New York, New York; Chair of ACR Practice Parameter for Breast Imaging, Chair ACR NMD
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5
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Wu X, Guo Y, Sa Y, Song Y, Li X, Lv Y, Xing D, Sun Y, Cong Y, Yu H, Jiang W. Contrast-Enhanced Spectral Mammography-Based Prediction of Non-Sentinel Lymph Node Metastasis and Axillary Tumor Burden in Patients With Breast Cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:823897. [PMID: 35615151 PMCID: PMC9125761 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.823897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
PurposeTo establish and evaluate non-invasive models for estimating the risk of non-sentinel lymph node (NSLN) metastasis and axillary tumor burden among breast cancer patients with 1–2 positive sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs).Materials and MethodsBreast cancer patients with 1–2 positive SLNs who underwent axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) and contrast-enhanced spectral mammography (CESM) examination were enrolled between 2018 and 2021. CESM-based radiomics and deep learning features of tumors were extracted. The correlation analysis, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for further feature selection. Models based on the selected features and clinical risk factors were constructed with multivariate logistic regression. Finally, two radiomics nomograms were proposed for predicting NSLN metastasis and the probability of high axillary tumor burden.ResultsA total of 182 patients [53.13 years ± 10.03 (standard deviation)] were included. For predicting the NSLN metastasis status, the radiomics nomogram built by 5 selected radiomics features and 3 clinical risk factors including the number of positive SLNs, ratio of positive SLNs, and lymphovascular invasion (LVI), achieved the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.85 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.71–0.99] in the testing set and 0.82 (95% CI: 0.67–0.97) in the temporal validation cohort. For predicting the high axillary tumor burden, the AUC values of the developed radiomics nomogram are 0.82 (95% CI: 0.66–0.97) in the testing set and 0.77 (95% CI: 0.62–0.93) in the temporal validation cohort.DiscussionCESM images contain useful information for predicting NSLN metastasis and axillary tumor burden of breast cancer patients. Radiomics can inspire the potential of CESM images to identify lymph node metastasis and improve predictive performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqian Wu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Precision Instrument and Opto-Electronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yu Guo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Precision Instrument and Opto-Electronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yu Sa
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Precision Instrument and Opto-Electronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yipeng Song
- Department of Radiotherapy, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai, China
| | - Xinghua Li
- Department of Radiotherapy, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai, China
| | - Yongbin Lv
- Department of Radiology, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai, China
| | - Dong Xing
- Department of Radiology, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai, China
| | - Yan Sun
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University, Yantai, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases, Yantai, China
| | - Yizi Cong
- Department of Breast Surgery, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai, China
- *Correspondence: Wei Jiang, ; Yizi Cong, ; Hui Yu,
| | - Hui Yu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Precision Instrument and Opto-Electronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- *Correspondence: Wei Jiang, ; Yizi Cong, ; Hui Yu,
| | - Wei Jiang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Precision Instrument and Opto-Electronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Department of Radiotherapy, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai, China
- *Correspondence: Wei Jiang, ; Yizi Cong, ; Hui Yu,
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6
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Chen MY, Gillanders WE. Staging of the Axilla in Breast Cancer and the Evolving Role of Axillary Ultrasound. BREAST CANCER (DOVE MEDICAL PRESS) 2021; 13:311-323. [PMID: 34040436 PMCID: PMC8139849 DOI: 10.2147/bctt.s273039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Axillary lymph nodes have long been recognized as a route for breast cancer to spread systemically. As a result, staging of the axilla has always played a central role in the treatment of breast cancer. Anatomic staging was believed to be important for two reasons: 1) it predicts prognosis and guides medical therapy, and 2) it is a potential therapy for removal of disease in the axilla. This paradigm has now been called into question. Prognostic information is driven increasingly by tumor biology, and trials such as the ACOSOG Z0011 demonstrates removal of axillary disease is not therapeutic. Staging of the axilla has undergone a dramatic de-escalation; however, sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is still an invasive surgery and represents a large economic burden on the healthcare system. In this review, we outline the changing paradigms of axillary staging in breast cancer from emphasis on anatomic staging to tumor biology, and the evolving role of axillary ultrasound, bringing patients less invasive and more personalized therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Y Chen
- Department of Surgery, Washington University, St Louis, MS, USA
| | - William E Gillanders
- Department of Surgery, Washington University, St Louis, MS, USA
- Siteman Cancer Center in St. Louis, St Louis, MS, USA
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7
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Zhu Y, Zhou JQ, Jia XH, Zhou W, Zhan WW. Interobserver variability between experienced radiologists in evaluating the number of abnormal lymph nodes seen on preoperative axillary ultrasound. Clin Radiol 2020; 76:60-66. [PMID: 33077155 DOI: 10.1016/j.crad.2020.03.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
AIM To determine the interobserver variability of experienced radiologists in evaluating the number of suspicious lymph nodes (LNs) seen on axillary ultrasound (AUS) examination, and to evaluate the effects of clinicopathological features on the discordance. MATERIAL AND METHODS A prospective non-randomised triple-blind study was conducted from July 2016 to December 2017 at Shanghai Ruijin Hospital. Three experienced radiologists performed AUS on 462 patients (469 axillae) with invasive breast cancer independently and assessed the number of abnormal LNs during the real-time AUS examination. Interobserver agreement was determined according to the kappa statistic. RESULTS The mean numbers of metastatic LNs on final histology study were 0.35, 0.98, 3.05 and 4.70 for patients with 0, 1, 2 and >2 abnormal nodes on preoperative AUS. When the cut-off (the number of abnormal LNs seen on AUS was >1) at which the maximal sum of sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis of ≥3 tumour-involved LNs was achieved was applied, the Az values ranged from 0.776 to 0.811. When the number of abnormal LNs was grouped into two-category classification (0-1 versus ≥2 abnormal LNs detected by AUS), good interobserver agreement (kappa: 0.601-0.687) was found, and disagreement between the radiologists was more frequently found in patients with T2-stage tumour and in those with one or two tumour-involved nodes. CONCLUSION Abnormal LN count according to two-category classification (0-1 versus ≥2 abnormal LNs detected by AUS) was a feasible method with good accuracy and high repeatability to select patients with heavy nodal disease in the post-Z0011 trial era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Zhu
- Department of Ultrasound, Shanghai Ruijin Hospital affiliated to Medical School of Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - J Q Zhou
- Department of Ultrasound, Shanghai Ruijin Hospital affiliated to Medical School of Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - X H Jia
- Department of Ultrasound, Shanghai Ruijin Hospital affiliated to Medical School of Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - W Zhou
- Department of Ultrasound, Shanghai Ruijin Hospital affiliated to Medical School of Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - W W Zhan
- Department of Ultrasound, Shanghai Ruijin Hospital affiliated to Medical School of Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China.
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8
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McEvoy AM, Poplack S, Nickel K, Olsen MA, Ademuyiwa F, Zoberi I, Odom E, Yu J, Chang SH, Gillanders WE. Cost-effectiveness analyses demonstrate that observation is superior to sentinel lymph node biopsy for postmenopausal women with HR + breast cancer and negative axillary ultrasound. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2020; 183:251-262. [PMID: 32651755 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-020-05768-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of axillary observation versus sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) after negative axillary ultrasound (AUS). In patients with clinical T1-T2 N0 breast cancer and negative AUS, SLNB is the current standard of care for axillary staging. However, SLNB is costly, invasive, decreasing in importance for medical decision-making, and is not considered therapeutic. Observation alone is currently being evaluated in randomized clinical trials, and is thought to be non-inferior to SLNB for patients with negative AUS. METHODS We performed cost-effectiveness analyses of observation versus SLNB after negative AUS in postmenopausal women with clinical T1-T2 N0, HR+/HER2- breast cancer. Costs at the 2016 price level were evaluated from a third-party commercial payer perspective using the MarketScan® Database. We compared cost, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), and net monetary benefit (NMB). Multiple sensitivity analyses varying baseline probabilities, costs, utilities, and willingness-to-pay thresholds were performed. RESULTS Observation was superior to SLNB for patients with N0 and N1 disease, and for the entire patient population (NMB in US$: $655,659 for observation versus $641,778 for SLNB for the entire patient population). In the N0 and N1 groups, observation incurred lower cost and was associated with greater QALYs. SLNB was superior for patients with > 3 positive lymph nodes, representing approximately 5% of the population. Sensitivity analyses consistently demonstrated that observation is the optimal strategy for AUS-negative patients. CONCLUSION Considering both cost and effectiveness, observation is superior to SLNB in postmenopausal women with cT1-T2 N0, HR+/HER2- breast cancer and negative AUS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aubriana M McEvoy
- Department of Surgery, Section of Endocrine and Oncologic Surgery, Washington University St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
- School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Steven Poplack
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Section of Breast Imaging, Washington, University St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Siteman Cancer Center, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Katelin Nickel
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Center for Administrative Data Research, Washington University St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Margaret A Olsen
- Siteman Cancer Center, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Center for Administrative Data Research, Washington University St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Surgery, Division of Public Health Science, Washington University St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Foluso Ademuyiwa
- Siteman Cancer Center, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Washington, University St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Imran Zoberi
- Siteman Cancer Center, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington, University St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Elizabeth Odom
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Washington, University St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jennifer Yu
- Department of Surgery, Section of Endocrine and Oncologic Surgery, Washington University St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Su-Hsin Chang
- Siteman Cancer Center, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Surgery, Division of Public Health Science, Washington University St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - William E Gillanders
- Department of Surgery, Section of Endocrine and Oncologic Surgery, Washington University St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.
- Siteman Cancer Center, St. Louis, MO, USA.
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box 8109, 4590 Children's Place, Suite 9600, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
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9
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Yoo TK, Kang BJ, Kim SH, Song BJ, Ahn J, Park WC, Chae BJ. Axillary lymph node dissection is not obligatory in breast cancer patients with biopsy-proven axillary lymph node metastasis. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2020; 181:403-409. [PMID: 32328848 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-020-05636-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The ACOSOG Z0011 trial demonstrated that axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) is unnecessary in select patients with cT1-2N0 tumors undergoing breast-conserving therapy with 1-2 positive sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs). However, patients with preoperatively confirmed ALN metastasis were not included and may be subjected to unnecessary ALND. The aim of this study is to identify patients who can be considered for ALND omission when the preoperative ALN biopsy results are positive. METHODS Breast cancer patients who underwent preoperative ALN biopsy and primary surgery were retrospectively reviewed. Among patients with positive ALN biopsy results, clinicopathological and imaging characteristics were compared according to LN disease burden (1-2 positive LNs vs. ≥ 3 positive LNs). RESULTS A total of 542 patients were included in the analysis. Among them, 225 (41.5%) patients had a preoperative positive ALN biopsy. More than 40% of the patients (n = 99, 44.0%) with a positive biopsy had only 1-2 positive ALNs. The association between nodal burden and imaging factors was strongest when ≥ 2 suspicious LNs were identified on PET/CT images (HR 8.795, 95% CI 4.756 to 13.262). More than one imaging modality showing ≥ 2 suspicious LNs was also strongly correlated with ≥ 3 positive ALNs (HR 5.148, 95% CI 2.881 to 9.200). CONCLUSIONS Nearly half of patients with a preoperative biopsy-proven ALN metastasis had only 1-2 positive LNs on ALND. Patients meeting ACOSOG Z0011 criteria with only one suspicious LN on PET/CT or those presenting with few abnormal ALNs on only one imaging modality appear appropriate for SLNB and consideration of ALND omission.
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MESH Headings
- Axilla
- Breast Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging
- Breast Neoplasms/pathology
- Breast Neoplasms/surgery
- Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/diagnostic imaging
- Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/secondary
- Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/surgery
- Carcinoma, Lobular/diagnostic imaging
- Carcinoma, Lobular/secondary
- Carcinoma, Lobular/surgery
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Humans
- Lymph Node Excision
- Lymph Nodes/pathology
- Lymph Nodes/surgery
- Lymphatic Metastasis
- Mastectomy, Segmental/methods
- Middle Aged
- Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography
- Prognosis
- Receptor, ErbB-2/metabolism
- Receptors, Estrogen/metabolism
- Receptors, Progesterone/metabolism
- Retrospective Studies
- Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy/methods
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Affiliation(s)
- Tae-Kyung Yoo
- Department of Surgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpo-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul, 06591, Republic of Korea
- Cancer Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpo-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul, 06591, Republic of Korea
| | - Bong Joo Kang
- Department of Radiology, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpo-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul, 06591, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Hun Kim
- Department of Radiology, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpo-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul, 06591, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung Joo Song
- Division of Breast-Thyroid Surgery, Department of Surgery, Bucheon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 327 Sosa-ro, Wonmi-gu, Gyeonggi-do, 14647, Republic of Korea
| | - Juneyoung Ahn
- Department of Surgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpo-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul, 06591, Republic of Korea
| | - Woo-Chan Park
- Department of Surgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpo-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul, 06591, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung Joo Chae
- Department of Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University, 81 Irwon-Ro, Gangnam-Gu, Seoul, 06351, Republic of Korea.
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Jung J, Kim BH, Kim J, Oh S, Kim SJ, Lim CS, Choi IS, Hwang KT. Validating the ACOSOG Z0011 Trial Result: A Population-Based Study Using the SEER Database. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E950. [PMID: 32290437 PMCID: PMC7226449 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12040950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2020] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The Z0011 trial demonstrated that axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) could be omitted in spite of 1-2 metastatic sentinel lymph nodes. This study aimed to validate the results on a population-based database. The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was searched for patients comparable to the Z0011 participants. The type of axillary surgery was estimated using the total number of examined axillary lymph nodes (ALNs). Breast cancer-specific mortality (BCSM) was compared between patients with ≥10 ALNs (the sentinel lymph node dissection (SLND) and ALND group, or "SLND + ALND group") and patients with one or two ALNs (the "SLND group"). During 2010-2015, the SEER database included 7077 and 6620 patients categorized in the SLND group and the SLND + ALND group, respectively. Death was observed for 515 patients (7.3%) in the SLND group and 589 patients (8.9%) in the SLND + ALND group based on a median follow-up of 41 months. After propensity-score matching, the adjusted hazard ratio for BCSM in the SLND group (vs. the SLND + ALND group) was 1.038 (95% confidence interval: 0.798-1.350). Regardless of the SLND criteria, the outcomes were not significantly different between the two groups. This retrospective cohort study of Z0011-comparable patients revealed that ALND could be omitted based on the Z0011 strategy, even among patients with ≤2 dissected ALNs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiwoong Jung
- Department of Surgery, Seoul Medical Center, Seoul 02053, Korea
| | - Byoung Hyuck Kim
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Seoul Metropolitan Government Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul 07061, Korea
| | - Jongjin Kim
- Department of Surgery, Seoul Metropolitan Government Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul 07061, Korea
| | - Sohee Oh
- Department of Biostatistics, Seoul Metropolitan Government Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul 07061, Korea
| | - Su-Jin Kim
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
| | - Chang-Sup Lim
- Department of Surgery, Seoul Metropolitan Government Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul 07061, Korea
| | - In Sil Choi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul Metropolitan Government Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul 07061, Korea
| | - Ki-Tae Hwang
- Department of Surgery, Seoul Metropolitan Government Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul 07061, Korea
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11
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Can We Identify or Exclude Extensive Axillary Nodal Involvement in Breast Cancer Patients Preoperatively? JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2019; 2019:8404035. [PMID: 31885585 PMCID: PMC6893267 DOI: 10.1155/2019/8404035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2019] [Revised: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Background Breast cancer treatment has rapidly changed in the last few years. Particularly, treatment of patients with axillary nodal involvement has evolved after publication of several randomized clinical trials. Omitting axillary lymph node dissection in selected early breast cancer patients with one or two positive sentinel nodes did not compromise overall survival nor regional disease control in these trials. Hence, either excluding or identifying extensive axillary nodal involvement becomes increasingly important. Purpose To evaluate whether the current diagnostic modalities can accurately identify or exclude extensive axillary nodal involvement. Evaluated modalities were axillary ultrasound, ultrasound-guided needle biopsy, MRI, and PET/CT. Methods A literature search was performed in the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and PubMed databases up to June 2019. The search strategy included terms for breast cancer, lymph nodes, and the different imaging modalities. Only articles that reported pathological N-stage or the total number of positive axillary lymph nodes were considered for inclusion. Studies with patients undergoing neoadjuvant systemic therapy were excluded. Conclusion There is no evidence that any of the current preoperative axillary imaging modalities can accurately exclude or identify breast cancer patients with extensive nodal involvement. Both negative PET/CT and negative MRI scans (with gadolinium-based contrast agents) are promising in excluding extensive nodal involvement. Larger studies should be performed to strengthen this conclusion. False-negative rates of axillary ultrasound and ultrasound-guided needle biopsy are too high to rely on negative results of these modalities in excluding extensive nodal involvement.
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