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Published on: June 1, 2019
[Internal mammary node biopsy in breast cancer]
Jie-Xin Chen1, Peng Lin, Wei Fan
1State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China. linpengsir@hotmail.com
AI Zheng = Aizheng = Chinese Journal of Cancer
|February 15, 2007
Summary
Internal mammary sentinel node biopsy (IMSNB) aids in breast cancer staging. When sentinel nodes aren't found, intercostal dissection is crucial to accurately assess internal mammary node metastasis.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Surgical Pathology
- Breast Cancer Research
Background:
- Internal mammary nodes (IMNs) are a key pathway for breast cancer metastasis.
- Accurate assessment of IMN status is vital for staging, treatment decisions, and prognosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the significance of internal mammary sentinel node biopsy (IMSNB).
- To assess IMN dissection via intercostal spaces.
- To explore IMN micro-metastasis detection methods in breast cancer patients.
Main Methods:
- 38 primary breast cancer patients underwent mastectomy.
- IMSNB was performed using radionuclide tracking.
- Internal mammary nodes were dissected via intercostal spaces and examined pathologically, with negative nodes further analyzed for micro-metastasis using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and multilayer sectioning.
Main Results:
- 17 patients (44.7%) had identified internal mammary sentinel nodes (IMSNs); 4 showed metastasis.
- 10 patients with identified IMSNs had no metastasis.
- 21 patients (55.3%) had no identified IMSNs; 5 were found to have IMN metastasis upon dissection.
Conclusions:
- Identified IMSNs accurately predict internal mammary node status.
- For patients without identified IMSNs, dissection is recommended to reduce false negatives, particularly in high-risk cases.
- IHC combined with multilayer sectioning enhances the detection of micrometastases.
