Occult Lymph Node Metastases in Breast Cancer
Author Information
Author(s): Millis R R, Springall R, Lee A H S, Ryder K, Rytina E R C, Fentiman I S
Primary Institution: Guy's Hospital, London, UK
Hypothesis
The significance of occult metastases in axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer patients is uncertain.
Conclusion
Occult metastases in axillary lymph nodes do not have prognostic significance in breast cancer.
Supporting Evidence
- Occult metastases were found in 60 out of 477 patients, which is about 13%.
- The median follow-up time was 18.9 years.
- Survival was related to tumor size and histological grade, not to the presence of occult metastases.
- Patients with a single involved axillary node had worse survival compared to those with occult metastases.
- Multivariate analysis showed that tumor size and histological grade were independent predictors of survival.
Takeaway
The study looked at hidden cancer cells in lymph nodes of breast cancer patients and found they don't affect survival rates.
Methodology
The study involved examining additional sections of lymph nodes from breast cancer patients to detect occult metastases using histological and immunohistochemical techniques.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the retrospective nature of the study and the exclusion of patients lost to follow-up.
Limitations
The study may not apply to patients with more modern treatment protocols or those with different lymph node sampling techniques.
Participant Demographics
477 women with invasive carcinoma of the breast treated between 1962 and 1981.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.0001
Confidence Interval
1.08–1.30
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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