Combined Therapy Can Improve the Outcomes of Breast Cancer with Isolated Supraclavicular Lymph Node Involvement

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of systemic combined with local therapies in isolated metachronous ipsilateral supraclavicular lymph node metastasis (mISLM) breast cancer patients.

We reviewed the data of mISLM patients admitted by Breast Disease Center of the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, from January 2009 to July 2019. Ninety-nine patients were included and were divided into two groups: the systemic group, which referred to patients who received only systemic therapy, and the combined group, which referred to patients who received systemic therapy plus local therapy (including neck radiotherapy (RT) and/or supraclavicular lymph node dissection surgery). In the combined group, patients were further divided into systemic therapy plus: 1) neck RT, 2) supraclavicular lymph node dissection surgery, and 3) neck RT and supraclavicular lymph node dissection surgery.

The median duration of follow-up was 36 months. The median PFS was 15 months, and the median OS was 35 months. Local control rates of 1 year, 2 years and 3 years were 92.9%, 86.9% and 84.8%, respectively. The combined group (n=56) had a significantly better PFS (P<0.001) and OS (P=0.001) than the systemic group (n=43). Compared with Group B (n=13) and Group C (n=14), Group A (n=29) had a significantly better PFS (P=0.007). Higher dose and conventional dose showed no significant differences regarding the local control rate (P=1.000), PFS (P=0.787) or OS (P=0.690) in the patients who received RT. In multivariate analysis, pN3 stage and combined therapy (systemic therapy plus local therapy) for mISLM affected PFS (P<0.001 and P=0.002, respectively). Neck RT was an independent parameter affecting OS (P=0.002).

In breast cancer patients with mISLM, systemic therapy combined with local therapy could improve PFS and OS. Based on systemic therapy, RT had a better effect on survival than surgery. However, more aggressive methods, such as systemic therapy combined with both RT and surgery or a higher dose of RT, may not be associated with improved PFS or OS in these patients.