Management of sentinel node re-mapping in patients who have second or recurrent breast cancer and had previous axillary procedures

Surgical Management and Its Impact on Adjuvant Treatment in Recurrent Ipsilateral Breast Cancer: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background: Breast cancer (BC) recurrence, defined as the reappearance of cancer in the ipsilateral breast after primary treatment, poses significant challenges in clinical management. Despite advances in treatment, recurrence rates persist, ranging from 0.6 to 1.5% annually, reaching 10-15% at 20 years. This study aims to analyze the surgical and oncological characteristics of patients with BC recurrence. Methods: This retrospective study includes 56 patients diagnosed with recurrent BC between October 2018 and April 2022. Data were collected from a prospectively maintained surgical database. A descriptive analysis was performed on the initial BC, and the recurrence, including surgical complications, was classified using the Clavien-Dindo system. The success rates of selective sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsies and aberrant drainages were assessed based on previous surgeries. Results: The cohort included 55 females and 1 male, with a median age of 65.3 years. The mean time to BC recurrence was 11.5 years. Among them, 26.8% underwent breast-conserving surgery, 41.1% had a mastectomy, 21.4% had a mastectomy with reconstruction, and 10.7% had an excision over a previous mastectomy. An SLN biopsy was performed in 78.6% of cases, with higher success rates in those without a previous axillary lymph node dissection (85.7% vs. 63.2%). Aberrant drainage was more frequent in patients with a previous ALND (44.4% vs. 20%). The median follow-up was 41.3 months, with 10.7% experiencing a second recurrence. Conclusions: Repeat breast-conserving surgery with re-irradiation for ipsilateral recurrence is feasible and does not significantly increase complications. SLN biopsy is valuable for restaging and tailoring adjuvant therapies, with ALND not being necessary if re-SLN biopsy shows no drainage. The management of aberrant drainage remains controversial.

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

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.

Contralateral lymph node metastasis in recurrent ipsilateral breast cancer with Lynch syndrome: a locoregional event

INTRODUCTION

Contralateral axillary lymph node metastasis (CALNM) in breast cancer (BC) is considered a distant metastasis, marking stage 4cancer. Therefore, it is generally treated as an incurable disease. However, in clinical practice, staging and treatment remain controversial due to a paucity of data, and the St. Gallen 2021 consensus panel recommended a curative approach in patients with oligometastatic disease. Aberrant lymph node (LN) drainage following previous surgery or radiotherapy is common. Therefore, CALNM may be considered a regional event rather than systemic disease, and a re-sentinel procedure aided by lymphoscintigraphy permits adequate regional staging.

CASE REPORT

Here, we report a 37-year-old patient with Lynch syndrome who presented with CALNM in an ipsilateral relapse of a moderately differentiated invasive ductal BC (ER 90%, PR 30%, HER2 negative, Ki-67 25%, microsatellite stable), 3 years after the initial diagnosis. Lymphoscintigraphy detected a positive sentinel LN in the contralateral axilla despite no sign of LN involvement or distant metastases on FDG PET/CT or MRI. The patient underwent bilateral mastectomy with sentinel node dissection, surgical reconstruction with histological confirmation of the CALNM, left axillary dissection, adjuvant chemotherapy, and anti-hormone therapy. In addition to her regular BC follow-up visits, the patient will undergo annual colonoscopy, gastroscopy, abdominal, and vaginal ultrasound screening. In January 2023, the patient was free of progression for 23 months after initiation of treatment for recurrent BC and CALNM.

CONCLUSION

This case highlights the value of delayed lymphoscintigraphy and the contribution of sentinel procedure for local control in the setting of recurrent BC. Aberrant lymph node drainage following previous surgery may be the underlying cause of CALNM. We propose that CALNM without evidence of systemic metastasis should be considered a regional event in recurrent BC, and thus, a curative approach can be pursued. The next AJCC BC staging should clarify the role of CALNM in recurrent BC to allow for the development of specific treatment guidelines.

The MARECA (national study of management of breast cancer locoregional recurrence and oncological outcomes) study: National practice questionnaire of United Kingdom multi-disciplinary decision making

INTRODUCTION

Evidence based guidelines for the optimal management of breast cancer locoregional recurrence (LRR) are limited, with potential for variation in clinical practice. This national practice questionnaire (NPQ) was designed to establish the current practice of UK breast multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) regarding LRR management.

METHODS

UK breast units were invited to take part in the MARECA study MDT NPQ. Scenario-based questions were used to elicit preference in pre-operative staging investigations, surgical management, and adjuvant therapy.

RESULTS

822 MDT members across 42 breast units (out of 144; 29%) participated in the NPQ (February-August 2021). Most units (95%) routinely performed staging CT scan, but bone scan was selectively performed (31%). For patients previously treated with breast conserving surgery (BCS) and radiotherapy, few units (7%) always/usually offered repeat BCS. However, in the absence of radiotherapy, most units (90%) always/usually offered repeat BCS. For patients presenting with isolated local recurrence following previous BCS and SLNB (sentinel lymph node biopsy), most units (95%) advocated repeat SLNB. Where SLNs could not be identified, 86% proceeded to a four-node axillary sampling procedure. For ER positive, HER2 negative, node negative local recurrence, 10% of units always/usually offered chemotherapy. For ER positive, HER2 negative, node positive local recurrence, this recommendation increased to 64%. For triple negative breast cancer local recurrence, 90% of units always/usually offered chemotherapy.

CONCLUSION

This survey has highlighted where consistencies and variations exist in the multidisciplinary management of breast cancer LRR. However, further research is required to determine how these management patterns influence patient outcomes, which will further refine optimal treatment pathways.

Contralateral Axillary Lymph Node Metastasis of Breast Cancer: Retrospective Analysis and Literature Review

Background

Contralateral axillary lymph node metastasis (CAM) is classified as distant metastasis in guidelines, but the prognosis is better than that of stage IV patients. It is controversial to classify CAM as a distant metastasis or a regional metastasis, and the optimal treatment strategy for CAM is unknown.

Patients and Methods

Breast cancer patients who were confirmed by pathology and treated at Shandong Cancer Hospital between January 2012 and July 2021 were included in our study. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of the patients for their clinical features, pathological diagnosis, treatment strategy, and follow-up data. Survival analysis was calculated by Kaplan–Meier analysis, and patient matching was performed by case–control matching.

Results

A total of 60 patients were included, and there were 49 metachronous CAM cases and 11 synchronous CAM cases. The prognosis of isolated CAM patients was better than that of patients with other distant metastases in terms of CAM-OS and PFS with significant differences (median CAM-OS 71.0 vs. 30.0 months, P=0.022; median PFS 42.0 vs. 11.0 months, P=0.009) and OS without significant differences (median OS 126.0 vs. 79.0 months, P=0.111). The five-year survival rate of isolated CAM patients was 67.4%, and the five-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate was 52.9%. The prognosis of CAM patients was similar to that of N3M0 patients in terms of OS (mean OS 82.4 vs. 65.6 months, P=0.537) and DFS (mean PFS 54.5 vs. 52.6 months, P=0.888). Axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) or low-middle level ALND significantly improved the OS (mean OS 237.4 vs. 111.0 months, P=0.011), CAM-OS (mean CAM-OS 105.2 vs. 46.6 months, P = 0.002), and PFS (mean PFS 92.3 vs. 26.9 months, P = 0.001) of isolated CAM patients. Axillary radiotherapy improved PFS, CAM-OS, and OS but without significant differences (mean PFS 80.0 vs. 46.6 months, P = 0.345; mean CAM-OS 86.8 vs. 72.1 months, P = 0.338; mean OS 147.6 vs. 133.0 months, P = 0.426).

Conclusion

CAM should be diagnosed as local recurrence and treated with aggressive and curative rather than palliative strategies. Contralateral axillary surgery and radiotherapy are recommended for isolated CAM patients.

Prognostic value and management of regional lymph nodes in locoregional breast cancer recurrence: a systematic review of the literature

PURPOSE

Management of regional lymph nodes in breast cancer recurrence has been heterogeneous. To facilitate clinical practice, this review aims to give an overview on the prognosis, staging and operative management of (inapparent) regional lymph nodes.

METHODS

Current national and international guidelines are reviewed and a structured search of the literature between Jan 1, 1999 and Feb 1, 2021 on the repeat sentinel node biopsy (re-SNB) procedure was performed.

RESULTS

Positive regional lymph nodes in recurrent breast cancer indicate a poorer outcome with axillary recurrences being the most favorable tumor site among all nodal regions. Most preferred staging method is ultrasound ± guided biopsy. PET-CT, scintimammography, SPECT-CT may improve visualization of affected lymph nodes outside the axilla. Concerning operative management 30 articles on re-SNB were identified with a mean harvesting rate of 66.4%, aberrant drainage and aberrant metastasis in 1/3 of the cases. Total rate of metastasis is 17.9%. After previous axillary dissection (ALND) the re-SNB has a significantly lower harvesting rate and higher aberrant drainage and aberrant metastasis rate. The prognostic outcome after re-SNB has been favorable.

CONCLUSION

Nodal status in recurrent disease has prognostic value. The choice of operative management of clinically inapparent regional lymph nodes during local recurrence should be based on the previous nodal staging method. Patients with previous ALND should be spared a second systematic ALND. Re-SNB or no axillary surgery at all are possible alternatives. Lymphoscintigraphy may be performed to identify extraaxillary drainage. However, for definite recommendations randomized controlled studies are heavily needed.

Contralateral Axillary Metastasis in Breast Carcinoma: Case Report and Review of Literature

The clinical dilemma of management of isolated contralateral axillary metastasis (CAM) in carcinoma breast remains unsolved. We report a case of metachronous contralateral left axillary metastasis in a 54-year-old postmenopausal woman, its management, and review of literature. After ruling out distant metastasis and occult primary in the opposite breast, curative treatment was planned. She underwent left axillary lymph node dissection which on histopathology showed metastatic carcinoma. Management of CAM with curative or palliative intent and whether to consider them as locoregional or distant metastasis remains controversial. CAM may occur due to the locoregional spread of disease, and hence, curative intent of treatment should be offered to these patients.

Where does subcutaneous lymph from the chest wall flow into after mastectomy?

BACKGROUND

Changes of the lymph flow from the chest wall after mastectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) or axillary lymph node dissection (Ax) has yet to be understood. This study aimed to investigate the effect of axillary surgery on lymphatic flow from the chest wall in patients who have undergone mastectomy, including those have undergone breast reconstruction and vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT).

METHODS

Following mastectomy in 100 breasts, the directions of lymph flow from the chest wall was compared between the SLNB omission, SLNB, Ax, and Ax followed by VLNT groups using indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography in cross-sectional study. Lymph flow on the deep epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap was also investigated.

RESULTS

Lymph flow directing to the ipsilateral axilla was observed more frequently after SLNB than Ax (48% vs. 12.5%; p = 0.005); however, no significant difference was observed in the frequency of contralateral axillary route adoption between them (8% vs. 15%; p = 0.65). In the VLNT group, lymph flow to the ipsilateral axilla was not observed at a significantly higher frequency than in the Ax group (12.5% vs. 12.5%, p = 1.00). On the transferred DIEP flap, the lymph flowed anterograde or retrograde parallel to the anatomic course of the lymphatic vessels.

CONCLUSION

To visualize the direction of lymph flow of the chest following mastectomy, ICG lymphography may be useful to discern the direction in which malignant neoplasms, including lymphoma, are transported and to plan for lymph flow restoration.

Repeat Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy for Ipsilateral Breast Tumor Recurrence After Breast Conserving Surgery With Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy: Pooled Analysis Using Data From a Systematic Review and Two Institutions

Introduction: Best surgical approach of axillary staging remains controversial in locally recurrent breast cancer. We evaluated the reliability of repeat sentinel lymph node biopsy (reSLNB) in patients with ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) after breast conserving surgery (BCS) with sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in terms of identification rate (IR) and false negative rate (FNR). To address the FNR, we identified patients who underwent sequential axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) after reSLNB.

Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were conducted to identify patient-level data from articles. We searched for data of patients who underwent BCS with SLNB for primary breast cancer and who underwent sequential ALND after reSLNB due to local recurrence. Patients data was also identified by the same criteria at two institutions.

Results: In total, 197 peer-reviewed publications were obtained, of which 20 included patients who met the eligibility criteria. Data from 464 patients were collected. From the two institutions, 31 patients were identified. A total of 495 patients were pooled. The IR of reSLNB was 71.9% (356/495). To address the FNR of reSLNB, 171 patients who underwent ALND after reSLNB were identified. The FNR and accuracy of reSLNB were 9.4% (5/53) and 97.1% (165/170), respectively.

Conclusion: Our pooled data analysis showed that the FNR of reSLNB is lower than 10%, indicating that this operation is a reliable axillary surgery in patients with IBTR after they underwent BCS.

Contralateral Axillary Lymph Node Metastases from Breast Carcinoma: Is it Time to Review TNM Cancer Staging?

BACKGROUND

Contralateral axillary lymph node metastasis (CAM) is an infrequent clinical condition currently considered an M1, stage IV, disease. Due to the absence of shared data on CAM significance and on its therapeutic approach, be it curative or simply palliative, its management is still uncertain and undoubtedly represents a clinical challenge.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with pathologically confirmed metachronous CAM were retrospectively evaluated. All patients had been managed at the European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy, from 1997. Patients with distant metastases at the time of CAM were excluded. Possible treatments included surgery, systemic therapy and RT (radiotherapy). Outcomes were evaluated as rates of disease-free survival (DFS) and of overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

Forty-seven patients with CAM were included in the study. Metachronous CAM occurred 73 months (range 5-500 months) after diagnosis of the primary tumor. The median follow-up time was 5.4 years (interquartile range 2.9-7.0 years). The estimated OS was 72% at 5 years (95% CI 54-83), and 61% at 8 years (95% CI 43-75). The estimated DFS was 61% at 5 years (95% CI 44-74), and 42% at 8 years (95% CI 25-59).

CONCLUSION

These findings, together with those from previous studies, show that CAM outcome, particularly if measured as OS, appear better than at other sites of distant dissemination, when CAM is subjected to surgical and systemic treatments with a curative intent. Therefore, a new clinical scenario is suggested where, in the TNM system, CAM is no longer classified as a stage IV, but as an N3 disease.

Risk of Regional Recurrence After Negative Repeat Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Patients with Ipsilateral Breast Tumor Recurrence

Background

Repeat sentinel lymph node biopsy (rSLNB) has increasingly been used in patients with ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR). The safety in terms of regional disease control after this procedure remains unclear. This study evaluates occurrence of regional recurrence as first event in patients with IBTR and negative rSLNB, treated without additional lymph node dissection.

Patients and Methods

Data were obtained from the Sentinel Node and Recurrent Breast Cancer (SNARB) study. In 201 patients, tumor-negative rSLNB was obtained without performing additional lymph node dissections.

Results

With median follow-up of 4.7 (range 0.9–12.7) years, regional recurrence occurred after median time of 3.0 (range 0.4–6.7) years in 4.5% (N = 9) of patients as first event after IBTR and rSLNB. In four of these nine patients, the site of recurrence was in concordance with the anatomical location of rSLNB. Two of the nine recurrences were reported in the ipsilateral axilla, resulting in an ipsilateral axillary regional recurrence rate of 1.0%. In the other seven patients, regional recurrence occurred in aberrant basins. Univariable analysis showed that triple-negative IBTR and lower amount of radioactive-labeled tracer (^99mtechnetium) used during rSLNB were associated with developing regional recurrence as first event after negative rSLNB (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The risk of developing regional recurrence after negative rSLNB is low. The low relapse rate supports the safety of rSLNB as primary nodal staging tool in IBTR. The time has come for clinical guidelines to adopt rSLNB as axillary staging tool in patients with IBTR.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1245/s10434-018-6384-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Contralateral axillary lymph node metastasis in second primary Breast cancer: Case report and review of the literature

The rare entity of contra-lateral axillary lymph node metastasis(CAM) has been a debatable topic in the realm of breast cancer management for many years. There remains controversy over whether CAM should be considered distant metastasis or locoregional spread. It is also uncertain why or how CAM occurs. In this case report and review of the literature, we present an 81-year-old female with an apparent second primary breast cancer with synchronous CAM. This paper describes a scenario of altered lymphatic drainage which likely lead to CAM. In this situation, we propose that CAM should be treated with curative intent rather than stage IV disease. We also attempted to gain a better understanding of the histopathology and tumor characteristics of tumors associated with CAM. Our patient was treated with curative intent and remains disease free for over 18 months. This supports the theory that patients with distorted lymphatic drainage from prior interventions who have CAM, should be treated as locoregional extension of the disease.

Unusual Contralateral Axillary Lymph Node Metastasis in a Second Primary Breast Cancer Detected by FDG PET/CT and Lymphoscintigraphy

Contralateral metastatic axillary lymph nodes in a patient with breast cancer is a rare condition. Here, we present a 55-year-old woman with a second primary breast cancer. The patient underwent ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) for staging work-up. Additionally, preoperative lymphoscintigraphy was performed to detect sentinel lymph nodes. FDG PET/CT demonstrated increased FDG uptake in the left nipple and right axillary lymph nodes. Lymphoscintigraphy identified the right axillary lymph nodes which was consistent with the FDG PET/CT findings. This case emphasizes the usefulness of FDG PET/CT and lymphoscintigraphy for identifying unpredictable contralateral axillary lymph node metastasis from a second primary breast cancer.

Contralateral lymph node recurrence in breast cancer: Regional event rather than distant metastatic disease. A systematic review of the literature

AIMS

After treatment for breast cancer, some patients experience a contralateral lymph node recurrence (CLNR). Traditionally, contralateral nodes are considered a distant site. However, aberrant lymph drainage after previous surgery is common. This might indicate that CLNR is a regional event. This study aimed to review the literature to determine prognosis after CLNR.

METHODS

PubMed was searched up until July 2014. Articles on CLNR with or without ipsilateral breast tumour recurrence (IBTR), and repeat sentinel node (SN) studies reporting on positive contralateral nodes were included. Exclusion criteria were synchronous contralateral breast cancer and synchronous distant events.

RESULTS

24 articles were included, describing 48 patients. Of these 48, 26 patients had an isolated CLNR, 7 IBTR and clinically detected CLNR, and 15 IBTR with a positive contralateral repeat SN. Isolated CLNR occurred earlier (45.9 months) than IBTR with CLNR (126.6 months, p < 0.001) or with a positive contralateral repeat SN (217.2, p = 0.02). Surgical treatment was described for 38 patients, and consisted of axillary lymph node dissection for 34 (89.5%). Information on adjuvant therapy was available for 27 patients, 21 (77.8%) received chemotherapy. Follow-up information after CLNR was available for 23 patients (47.9%). Mean follow-up was 50.3 months. Overall survival and disease-free survival were 82.6% [95% CI 67.1-98.1] and 65.2% [45.7-84.7] respectively at last follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Although observed in a small population, the survival of CLNR is not comparable to distant disease. Most patients received locoregional and systemic treatment suggesting a curative approach. This indicates that CLNR should be regarded as a regional event.

Sentinel Lymph Node Dissection in Locally Recurrent Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate the use of sentinel lymph node dissection (SLND) in the treatment of patients with locally recurrent breast cancer.

METHODS

A total of 147 patients with locally recurrent breast cancer were included from five different breast surgery departments in Denmark. Data on previous breast and axillary surgery, adjuvant treatment, second operation in the breast and axilla, and lymphoscintigraphy were collected retrospectively from the original patient files.

RESULTS

SLND after recurrence (SLNDAR) was successful in 72 of 144 patients (50 %). The detection rate was significantly higher after previous SLND (66 %) compared with previous ALND (34 %) [p = 0.0001]. Thirty-seven patients (51 %) who had previous SLND had a negative sentinel node. These patients could be spared an ALND. Six patients (8 %) who had a previous ALND had a metastatic sentinel node at recurrence; 17 % of patients had a sentinel node located outside the ipsilateral axilla; and eight patients with negative sentinel node at SLNDAR underwent completion ALND. None of these patients had metastases at completion ALND, corresponding to a false negative rate of 0 %.

CONCLUSIONS

SLNDAR seems to be a feasible procedure in locally recurrent breast cancer and can spare a clinically significant number of patients an unnecessary ALND and the following risk of sequelae. In patients who had previous ALND, SLNDAR identified metastases that would have been overlooked following the current guidelines. A large proportion of patients had aberrant drainage, suggesting a need for lymphoscintigraphy.