Using Ultrasound to Check for Cancer in Lymph Nodes
Author Information
Author(s): Damera A, Evans A J, Cornford E J, Wilson A R M, Burrell H C, James J J, Pinder S E, Ellis I O, Lee A H S, Macmillan R D
Primary Institution: Nottingham City Hospital
Hypothesis
Can ultrasound-guided core biopsy effectively identify axillary nodal metastases in patients with primary operable breast cancer?
Conclusion
Ultrasound-guided core biopsy can identify abnormal lymph nodes in breast cancer patients, with 42% of node-positive patients correctly identified preoperatively.
Supporting Evidence
- The study included 166 patients with invasive cancer.
- Ultrasound-guided core biopsy identified 27 of 64 node-positive patients preoperatively.
- The technique showed a positive predictive value of 100% for identifying nodal metastases.
Takeaway
Doctors can use ultrasound to find out if there are cancer cells in the lymph nodes of breast cancer patients, which helps them decide on the best treatment.
Methodology
Patients with suspected operable breast cancer underwent ultrasound scans of their axillae, followed by ultrasound-guided core biopsies of abnormal nodes.
Limitations
The study may not generalize to all breast cancer patients, as it focused on those with operable cancer and excluded patients with locally advanced disease.
Participant Demographics
Patients aged 33 to 81 years, with a median age of 56 years; included various tumor types.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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