Fine-needle aspiration of intramammary lymph nodes: a clinical, radiographic, and cytologic review

INTRODUCTION

Recognizing and sampling intramammary lymph nodes (IMLNs) is important in the clinical management of patients with breast carcinomas. We undertook a retrospective study to evaluate the clinical utility of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) in assessing IMLNs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Our pathology database was searched for all IMLN FNA cytology cases from January 2005 to December 2021. The cytologic findings, radiographic features, and clinical data were reviewed.

RESULTS

A total of 149 cases were identified. Eighteen of 149 (12%) patients had synchronous breast tumors, including 13 invasive ductal carcinomas (IDCs), 1 ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), and 4 fibroadenomas. Among patients with synchronous IDCs, FNA of IMLNs was positive for metastatic carcinoma in 4 of 13 (30.7%) cases. The 4 patients with positive IMLNs all received mastectomies. Fifteen of 149 (10.7%) patients had a prior history of breast tumors, including 9 IDCs, 4 DCISs, 1 lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS), and 1 fibroadenoma. Two of 149 (1.3%) patients had a prior history of lymphoma. In the patients with prior history of IDC, DCIS, LCIS, lymphomas and fibroadenomas, IMLN FNAs were all negative for malignancy. Two of 149 cases (1.3%) showed granulomatous lymphadenitis. The remaining 112 cases had negative IMLN FNAs and no significant clinical or pathological findings.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed that IMLNs are commonly associated with synchronous/metachronous breast tumors (33 of 149, 22.1%). The incidence of positive IMLN FNA in patients with synchronous invasive breast carcinoma was 30.7% (4 of 13). FNA of IMLNs in conjunction with clinical presentation and radiologic findings allows triage of patients for appropriate clinical management and avoids additional unnecessary surgical procedures.

Intra-mammary lymph nodes, an overlooked breast cancer prognostic tool?

Background

Due to the high variability of incidence and prevalence of intra-mammary lymph nodes (IMLNs), they might be overlooked during clinical and radiological examinations. Properly characterizing pathological IMLNs and detecting the factors that might influence their prevalence in different stages of breast cancer might aid in proper therapeutic decision-making and could be of possible prognostic value.

Methods

Medical records were reviewed for all breast cancer patients treated at the National Cancer Institute of Cairo University between 2013 and 2019. Radiological, pathological, and surgical data were studied.

Results

Intra-mammary lymph nodes were described in the final pathology reports of 100 patients. Five cases had benign breast lesion. Three cases had phyllodes tumors and two cases had ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). All ten cases were excluded. The remaining 90 cases all had invasive breast cancer and were divided into two groups: one group for patients with malignant IMLNs (48) and another for patients with benign IMLNs (42). Pathological features of the malignant IMLN group included larger mean tumor size in pathology (4.7 cm), larger mean size of the IMLN in pathology (1.7 cm), higher incidence of lympho-vascular invasion (65.9%), and higher rate of extracapsular extension in axillary lymph nodes (57.4%). In addition, the pathological N stage was significantly higher in the malignant IMLN group.

Conclusion

Clinicians frequently overlook intra-mammary lymph nodes. More effort should be performed to detect them during preoperative imaging and during pathological processing of specimens. A suspicious IMLN should undergo a percutaneous biopsy. Malignant IMLNs are associated with advanced pathological features and should be removed during surgery.

The clinical significance of metastatic breast carcinoma to intramammary lymph node

The incidence of involved intramammary lymph node (intra-MLN) with breast carcinoma (BC) is rare. Its clinical significance and impact on the clinical decision making is unclear. A total of 113 BC cases with at least one positive intra-MLN were collected from 11 academic institutions. The inclusion criteria were subsequent axillary lymph node dissection, and the availability of information on T-stage, size of node metastasis, extranodal extension status, biomarkers status, and clinical follow-up. Stage 4 cases and/or neo-adjuvant treated patients were excluded. AJCC TN-stage was calculated twice, with and without intra-MLN. Five-year overall survival (OS) and relapse (local and/or distant)-free survival (RFS) were calculated and correlated with the clinicopathologic variables. Excluding intra-MLN, TN-stage correlated with OS (P = .016) but not with RFS (P = .19). However, when intra-MLN was included, TN-stage correlated with both OS (P < .001) and RFS (P = .016). In the multivariate analysis, when intra-MLN was excluded, only radiation therapy (RT) correlated with RFS (HR = 0.19, 95% CI: 0.054-0.66, P = .009). However, when intra-MLN was included in the TN-stage both RT (HR = 0.13, 95% CI: 0.04-0.45, P = .001) and TN-stage 3 (HR = 8.92, 95% CI: 1.47-54, P = .017) correlated with RFS. Tumor multifocality was the only variable correlated with OS when the intra-MLN involvement was excluded. When intra-MLN was included, multifocality became insignificant but TN-stage 3 correlated with OS (HR = 8.59, 95% CI: 1.06-69.71, P = .044). Positive intra-MLN is an independent factor in predicting both RFS and OS.

When breast cancer gets complicated. A case report of synchronous bilateral breast cancers with discordant tumor markers from the primary to nodes with findings of a sentinel internal mammary subpectoral lymph node

This case reviews synchronous bilateral breast cancer with left infiltrating ductal carcinoma ER+/PR−, Her2− and right invasive lobular carcinoma ER+/PR−, Her2−. Independent primary bilateral breast tumors are present in 0.2–3.2% of breast cancer. Biopsy also showed differing ER status on the left breast versus the node which was triple negative. The final sentinel node was a left internal mammary node. Recent studies have found that the ER, PR and HER2 status of the primary tumor do not always correlate to the ER, PR and HER2 status of the metastatic sites. This can have deleterious effects on survival. There are no clear guidelines on course of treatment for these complex cases. A review of the current literature is supportive of treating the highest-risk breast malignancy. Despite the unusual pathology and severity of disease, our patient is doing well with treatment.

Intraoperative diagnosis of sentinel lymph node metastases in breast cancer treatment with one-step nucleic acid amplification assay (OSNA)

INTRODUCTION

The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of a one-step nucleic acid amplification assay (OSNA) for intraoperative detection of metastases to sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) in comparison to examination of frozen sections, and to summarize the results of previous studies.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We enrolled 98 patients aged 58.13 ±10.74 years treated surgically for breast cancer, and 99 biopsies of SLNs were followed by analysis of 105 SLNs. The central 1 mm slice of SLN was used for examination of frozen sections, whereas 2 outer slices of SLNs were analyzed intraoperatively with OSNA. Detection of isolated tumor cells (ITC), micrometastases or macrometastases with OSNA extended surgery to axillary lymph node dissection. Congruency of results was assessed between OSNA and examination of frozen sections.

RESULTS

One-step nucleic acid amplification assay detected metastases in 29/105 SLNs in surgery of 27/99 breasts, including ITC in 3/29 SLNs, micrometastases in 12/29 and macrometastases in 14/29. One-step nucleic acid amplification assay detected significantly more metastases to SLNs than examination of frozen sections (p < 0.0001). All 8 inconsistent results were positive in OSNA and negative in examination of frozen sections; ITC were identified in 2/8 SLNs and micrometastases in 6/8 SLNs. Sensitivity for OSNA was calculated as 100%, specificity as 90.47%, and κ was 79.16%.

CONCLUSIONS

One-step nucleic acid amplification assay analysis allows rapid and quantitative detection of mRNA CK19 with high specificity and a low rate of false positives. One-step nucleic acid amplification assay is a reliable tool for intraoperative diagnosis of whole SLNs during surgery of breast cancer. One-step nucleic acid amplification assay minimizes the need for secondary surgery and avoids delays in the adjuvant treatment.

Internal Mammary Sentinel Lymph Nodes in Breast Cancer - Effects on Disease Prognosis and Therapeutic Protocols - A Case Report

BACKGROUND:

The main prognostic factor in early staged breast cancer is the axillary lymph node metastatic affection. Sentinel lymph node biopsy, as a staging modality, significantly decreases surgical morbidity. The status of internal mammary lymph nodes gains an increased predictive role in grading breast carcinomas and modulation of postoperative therapeutic protocols. If positive, almost always are associated with worse disease outcome. Nevertheless, the clinical significance of internal mammary lymph node micrometastases has not been up to date precisely defined.

AIM:

To present a case of female patient clinically diagnosed as T1, N0, M0 (clinical TNM) ductal breast carcinoma with scintigraphic detection of internal mammary and axillary sentinel lymph nodes.

METHODS:

Dual method of scintigraphic sentinel lymph node detection using 99mTc-SENTI-SCINT and blue dye injection, intraoperative gamma probe detection, radioguided surgery and intraoperative ex tempore biopsy were used.

CASE REPORT:

We present a case of clinically T1, N0, M0 ductal breast cancer with scintigraphic detection of internal mammary and axillary sentinel lymph nodes. Intraoperative ex tempore biopsy revealed micrometastases in the internal mammary node and no metastatic involvement of the axillary sentinel lymph node.

CONCLUSION:

Detection of internal mammary lymph node metastases improves N (nodal) grading of breast cancer by selecting a high risk subgroup of patients that require adjuvant hormone therapy, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.

[Presence of intramammary lymph nodes in the preoperative lymphoscintigraphy to locate the sentinel lymph node. Clinical significance]

OBJECTIVE

The routes of lymphatic drainage from a breast cancer are the axilla (the most frequent) and the extra axillary regions. Among the latter, there are the so-called intrammamary lymph nodes (IMLN). This study has aimed to assess the incidence of IMLNs in our patients and study the evolution of these cases with IMLN in the lymphoscintigraphy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Thirty-eight patients (out of 1725) with IMLN in the pre-operative lymphoscintigraphy were assessed. During the surgical procedure, using a gamma probe, IMLNs were located and excised. After their harvesting, a meticulous surgical field scan was performed. When the axillary sentinel node was positive for metastasis, a complete axillary lymphadenectomy was performed. In those where the axillary sentinel node was negative and IMLN was positive (IMLN+), axillary lymphadenectomy was also performed, except for one case.

RESULTS

Thirty-four out of the 38 IMLNs were obtained (89.5%), because no lymphatic tissue was found in pathology analysis in three cases (8%) and in one patient (3%) IMLN was not found during surgery. Ten (26%) metastatic IMLNs were located and the remaining 24 IMLNs cases (63%) were metastasis-free. During the clinical follow-up, one patient with IMLN+ developed hepatic metastases. The remaining 33 patients did not present any recurrence. No follow-up data were available for three patients.

CONCLUSIONS

IMLN and axillary sentinel node biopsy are recommended when both are depicted in preoperative lymphoscintigraphy. The axilla treatment will only depend on the axillary sentinel node status. Based on the data from other authors and our own experience, avoiding the axillary lymphadenectomy when a metastatic IMLN without axillary involvement seems reasonable.

Diagnosis of a malignant intramammary node retrospectively aided by mastectomy specimen MRI-Is the search worth it? A case report and review of current literature

Metastases to intramammary nodes have been shown to be an independent predictor of poor outcome in patients with breast cancer, such as axillary lymph node metastases. The detection and accurate characterization of these nodes preoperatively is thus crucial for the staging and planning of treatment for breast carcinoma, particularly in cases with axillary lymph node negative disease as it upgrades the disease staging. We herein report the first case where we detected an intra-mammary node on specimen MRI after the primary pathological gross specimen evaluation failed to detect the node.

The clinical meaning of intramammary lymph nodes

OBJECTIVE

The clinical meaning of intramammary lymph nodes (iMLNs) is uncertain. We wanted to describe the clinical characteristics and understand the implications of iMLNs detected by sentinel LN biopsy (SLNB).

METHODS

We reviewed the clinical, radiological and pathological records of women diagnosed with invasive carcinoma of the breast at the Samsung Medical Center between January 2001 and January 2011. A total of 69 patients were identified, and SLNB was performed in 31 patients.

RESULTS

Of the 69 patients included in the study, 22 (31.9%) had metastases in iMLNs. The presence of lymphovascular invasion and the number of axillary LN metastases were associated with iMLN metastasis. Of the 31 patients who underwent SLNB, there were no cases with axillary LN metastasis when axillary SLNB was negative, even in cases of iMLN-positive patients. Of the 10 patients in whom intramammary SLNs (iMSLNs) were detected during SLNB, 8 patients without iMLN metastases were also negative for axillary LNs.

CONCLUSION

Patients with metastatic iMLNs had more aggressive cancers with lymphovascular invasion and increased axillary LN metastases. When iMSLN was detected by SLNB, performing of axillary dissection could be determined by the status of the iMSLN itself.

The significance of intramammary lymph nodes in breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Intramammary lymph nodes (IntraMLNs) are frequent mostly benign incidental findings. However, they are clinically important because they can be the primary sites of metastasis and sentinel lymph nodes. Literature data regarding the clinical significance of IntraMLNs metastasis, however, remains controversial. This study aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to better define the prognostic value of positive IntraMLNs in patients with breast cancer. A systematic review of the literature without date restrictions was conducted. Five electronic medical databases were searched, and a hand-search of the reference lists of the collected articles was also performed. Studies with sufficient and relevant pathologic and clinical survival data were included. Other studies with insufficient data or normal findings were excluded. This study found 18 studies eligible for systematic review, 3 of which were eligible for outcome meta-analysis. IntraMLNs metastases were strongly correlated with axillary lymph nodes involvement. Positive IntraMLNs are reliable predictors of axillary lymph node involvement and therefore a guide for further surgical management of the axillary nodes. Even though it could be concluded that IntraMLNs metastasis is an independent predictor of outcome, this meta-analysis was limited because of the scarcity of data and the inconsistencies and heterogeneity of the outcome studies.

A positive intramammary lymph node does not mandate a complete axillary node dissection

BACKGROUND

We hypothesized that even in the face of a positive intramammary lymph node (IMLN) a negative axillary sentinel lymph node (SLN) reliably stages the axilla and complete axillary lymph node dissection (CALND) can be avoided.

METHODS

A literature search identified 386 publications that included IMLNs and SLN biopsies. Patients with a positive IMLN and negative axillary SLN who underwent a CALND were included. A review of our database was also performed.

RESULTS

Twenty-one cases in the literature met our criteria. A review of our database resulted in 2 additional cases. Twenty-three patients were identified who had a positive IMLN, negative axillary SLN biopsy, and underwent a CALND. In all cases, the CALND was negative.

CONCLUSIONS

An axillary SLN biopsy accurately represents the disease status of the axilla in cases with a positive IMLN. CALND can be avoided in the setting of a positive IMLN and a negative axillary SLN biopsy.

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Early Breast Cancer: The Experience of the European Institute of Oncology in Special Clinical Scenarios

BACKGROUND: While axillary nodal status is still one of the most important prognostic factors in breast cancer, sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has evolved as a main procedure to strongly reduce postsurgical morbidity improving early and long-term quality of life. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 1996 and 2010, we performed 18,884 SLNBs for breast cancer, successfully confirming the validity of this technique and its positive impact on patients' quality of life, even though decision-making processes for adjuvant treatment strongly depend on biological features. RESULTS: This paper summarizes published data mainly collected in our institute considering special clinical scenarios such as ductal intraepithelial neoplasia, intramammary sentinel nodes, multicentric breast cancer, prior breast surgery, previous breast aesthetic surgery, second axillary SLNB, pregnant patients, primary chemotherapy, and male patients. CONCLUSIONS: In general, we believe that SLNB represents the standard procedure for axillary staging in virtually all clinical situations, even in those which were previously considered a contraindication for this procedure. At the moment, the only contraindication to SLNB is the presence of documented axillary metastases.

[Intramammary sentinel lymph node preoperative identification with SPECT/CT in a patient with breast cancer. Clinical meaning and relevance]

We present the case of a patient with breast cancer who underwent selective sentinel lymph node biopsy. An intramammary sentinel lymph node was identified with SPECT/CT in the preoperative lymphoscintigraphy. We describe our diagnostic and therapeutic procedure regarding this finding and the literature review to evaluate the clinical significance of their identification and metastases, especially in regards to more appropriate axillary management. Further studies with more statistical significance are necessary to elucidate the most suitable attitude when an intramammary sentinel lymph node is identified with the lymphoscintigraphy.

Multicentre evaluation of intraoperative molecular analysis of sentinel lymph nodes in breast carcinoma

Background

Ideally, intraoperative sentinel lymph node (SLN) analysis in breast cancer should be automated, have high concordance with extensive histopathology, and be applicable in any hospital setting. A prospective multicentre evaluation of the one-step nucleic acid amplification (OSNA) automated molecular diagnostic system of SLN analysis was undertaken.

Methods

Intraoperative examination of SLNs from 204 patients with breast cancer was performed by OSNA at four sites in the UK. Half of each SLN was assessed by OSNA (for cytokeratin 19 mRNA) and the remaining half was paraffin embedded for intensive histological examination at ten levels. Discordant cases were reanalysed by further molecular biological techniques and by additional histological examination of all remaining nodal material to ascertain whether the discordance was due to an uneven distribution of metastases, known as tissue allocation bias (TAB).

Results

After exclusion of samples affected by TAB, the overall concordance rate for OSNA versus histopathology was 96·0 per cent, with a sensitivity of 91·7 per cent and a specificity of 96·9 per cent. The median time to process a single SLN was 32 (range 22–97) min, and that for two nodes 42 (30–73) min.

Conclusion

OSNA enables accurate automated intraoperative diagnosis and can be used successfully in different UK hospitals. When the SLN is shown to be positive, the patient can undergo immediate axillary clearance under the same anaesthetic rather than having a delayed second procedure.

Implication of an Intramammary Sentinel Lymph Node in Breast Cancer: Is This a True Sentinel Node? A Case Report

BACKGROUND: Intramammary lymph nodes (ILN) are often diagnosed by final histological examination. Recently, sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has been developed as a new standard in the treatment of breast cancer. However, reports describing intramammary sentinel nodes (ISLNs) are relatively rare, and the clinical significance of metastases in ISLNs is still unclear. CASE REPORT: We herein report a patient with breast cancer with an ISLN that was detected prior to surgery. In the current case, the ISLN contained foci of carcinoma, but the axillary SLNs (aSLN) did not contain such foci. Previous reports related to ISLNs and aSLNs, including our case, are reviewed. Interestingly, there was no case with negative ISLNs and positive aSLNs. CONCLUSIONS: The current and previous cases have shown that axillary lymph node dissection (ALDN) might rely on the aSLN status but not on the ISLN status. The effect on the prognosis or clinical significance in cases with positive ISLNs has not been fully elucidated. Cases of ISLNs found by SLN navigation are discussed in relation to their clinical significance.

Current applications and future prospects of fine-needle aspiration biopsy of locoregional lymph nodes in the management of breast cancer

Staging of disease is routine in the evaluation of patients newly diagnosed with breast cancer. Assessment of palpable and/or nonpalpable locoregional lymph nodes is an important component of the initial staging. Ultrasound (US) is the favored imaging modality for the initial investigation of lymph nodes and results in a significant increase in the specificity of the overall evaluation when used in conjunction with fine-needle aspiration (FNA). This review provides a concise summary, based on published literature, of the current applications and future prospects of FNA biopsy of locoregional lymph nodes in the initial staging and subsequent surgical management of patients with breast cancer. Patients undergo either sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy or complete axillary lymph node dissection, based on whether the axillary lymph node status is determined to be negative or positive in the initial staging process. The status of lymph nodes in the supraclavicular, infraclavicular, and internal mammary regions provides more accurate staging information and also impacts subsequent surgical management. The identification and evaluation of intramammary lymph nodes can add value in the overall assessment of patients with breast cancer. The feasibility of noninvasive imaging modalities for SLN mapping in animal models has indicated a good potential for FNA biopsy in the subsequent investigation of SLNs identified noninvasively in humans.

Intramammary lymph node metastasis predicts poorer survival in breast cancer patients

Involvement of an intramammary lymph node with metastatic breast cancer is an uncommon clinical or radiological presentation. Previously reported series of patients are small in number and the clinical advice is unclear. We identified 100 patients on our pathology database with intramammary lymph nodes in association with a primary breast cancer. Ten were identified pre-operatively on breast imaging and 90 were first discovered on pathological assessment of excised breast tissue. Twenty one contained metastasis. Factors that predicted for intramammary node metastasis were increasing age (p=0.017), lymphovascular invasion (p=0.002) and grade of tumour (p=0.012). The presence of metastasis within the intramammary lymph node was associated with a poorer disease free survival (p=0.007) and reduced overall survival (p=0.035). Sixty seven percent of patients with intramammary node metastasis had further axillary metastases. One patient had an intramammary node metastasis but uninvolved axillary sentinel node. She presented 19 months later with an axillary nodal recurrence. The presence of intramammary lymph node metastasis is associated with poorer outcome in breast cancer patients. Pre-operative detection of intramammary lymph node metastasis is helpful to guide breast and axillary surgeries. Intramammary lymph node metastasis predicts strongly for axillary metastatic disease and axillary node clearance is recommended.