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Multiplexed Fluorescent Immunohistochemical Staining, Imaging, and Analysis in Histological Samples of Lymphoma
Published on: January 9, 2019
Increased lymph node positivity in multifocal and multicentric breast cancer
Neslihan Cabioglu1, Vahit Ozmen, Hakan Kaya
1Department of Surgery, Istanbul Medical Faculty, University of Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey.
Journal of the American College of Surgeons
|February 21, 2009
Summary
Multifocal and multicentric breast cancer shows increased lymph node metastasis, indicating advanced stage. Current TNM staging using the largest nodule diameter is clinically relevant for these cases.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Breast Cancer Research
Background:
- Multifocal and multicentric (MF/MC) breast cancers are suspected to correlate with higher rates of lymph node metastases.
- Limited existing data necessitates further investigation into the distinctions between unifocal and MF/MC breast cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the pathological and clinical characteristics of unifocal and MF/MC breast cancer.
- To evaluate the metastatic potential and staging relevance of MF/MC breast cancer.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective analysis of 1,322 operable invasive breast cancer patients treated between 1990 and 2002.
- Comparison of 147 MF/MC cases with 1,175 unifocal cases based on clinicopathological features.
Main Results:
- MF/MC breast cancer exhibited a higher frequency of lymph node metastases compared to unifocal tumors, irrespective of the measurement method (largest or combined diameter).
- For T1 and T2 tumors, lymph node metastasis rates were significantly higher in MF/MC cases (e.g., 48% vs. 35% for T1, p=0.05; 67% vs. 49% for T2, p=0.003) using largest diameter.
- No significant differences in 5-year disease-free survival (82% vs. 88%) or overall survival (93% vs. 92%) were observed between MF/MC and unifocal groups.
Conclusions:
- Multifocal and multicentric breast tumors possess distinct biology, characterized by increased metastatic potential to axillary lymph nodes.
- Findings support the clinical utility of the TNM classification system, which relies on the largest nodule's diameter for staging MF/MC breast cancer.