Results of a national training programme in sentinel lymph node biopsy for breast cancer

Is the use of blue dye really necessary in axillary sentinel lymph node biopsy in staging of breast cancer?

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is the standard of care for staging the clinically node-negative axilla in early breast cancer. Evidence guiding current practice describes dual localization technique using Patent blue dye and radioisotope (99mTc). Adverse effects of blue dye include 1:1000 risk of anaphylaxis, skin staining and loss of plane visibility, which may increase operative time and reduce resectional accuracy. The risk to a patient posed by anaphylaxis may be greater when operating in a unit without on-site ITU support - a situation more common with recent restructuring during the COVID-19 pandemic. Aim is to quantify the benefit of blue dye above radioisotope alone in identifying nodal disease. This is a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected sentinel node data including all consecutive sentinel node biopsies in a single center during the period 2016-2019.In terms of results, 760 sentinel nodes were taken in 435 patients. 59 nodes (7.8%) were detected by blue dye alone; 120 (15.8%) 'hot' only, 581 (76.5%) hot and blue. 4 of the blue only nodes contained macrometastases but 3 of these patients had further hot nodes excised that also contained macrometastases. 1 out of 435 patients (0.2%) had macro metastatic disease identified as a result of blue dye alone which would have been missed had it not been used. In conclusion, the use of blue dye carries risk and offers little benefit in terms of staging in SLNB and its use may be unnecessary in the hands of the skilled surgeon. This study supports the omission of blue dye, which may be advisable if operating in units without ITU support. If larger studies support these figures, it may become as outdated.

Rethinking Healthcare Teams’ Practices Using Network Science: Implications, Challenges, and Benefits

Healthcare teams act in a very complex environment and present extremely peculiar features since they are multidisciplinary, work under quickly changing conditions, and often stay together for a short period with a dynamically fluctuating team membership. Thus, in the broad discussions about the future of healthcare, the strategy for improving providers’ collaboration and team dynamics is becoming a central topic. Within this context, this paper aims to discuss different viewpoints about the application of network science to teamworking. Our results highlight the potential benefits deriving from network science-enabled analysis, and also show some preliminary empirical evidence through a real case study. In so doing, we intend to stimulate discussions regarding the implications of network science in the investigation and improvement of healthcare teams. The intention is to pave the way for future research in this context by suggesting the potential advantages of healthcare teamwork analysis, as well as recognising its challenges and threats.

Can axillary lymphadenectomy be avoided in breast cancer with positive sentinel lymph node biopsy? Predictors of non-sentinel lymph node metastasis

PURPOSE

Completion axillary lymph node dissection (cALND) can currently be avoided in those patients with a low tumor load (LTL) and/or a low-risk profile that tested with positive sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). Our objective is to identify prognostic factors that significantly influence axillary lymph node involvement to identify patients who could benefit from surgery without axillary lymphadenectomy.

METHODS

This is an observational retrospective study of consecutive patients diagnosed and operated of breast cancer between 2000 and 2014 at University Hospital La Ribera (UHR).

RESULTS

The size of the sample was 1641 patients, from which 1174 underwent SLNB. In the multivariate analysis, we objectify a raise of risk of positive sentinel lymph node (SLN) up to 5.2% for every millimeter of increase. The risk of positive SLNB when showing lymphovascular invasion seems to be 2.80 times greater but becomes lower when SLN involvement appears in luminal A, luminal B and triple-negative types, regarding HER2. In case of triple negatives, the difference is statistically significant. 16.7% present affected additional lymph nodes. The proportion of patients with affected additional lymph nodes increase dramatically above OSNA values of 12,000 copies/μl of CK19 mRNA and it depends on tumor size and lymphovascular infiltration.

CONCLUSIONS

Tumors smaller than 5 cm whose OSNA SLNB analysis is less than 12,000 copies/μl of CK19 mRNA have a low chance to develop additional affected lymph nodes, thus cALND can be avoided.

POSNOC-POsitive Sentinel NOde: adjuvant therapy alone versus adjuvant therapy plus Clearance or axillary radiotherapy: a randomised controlled trial of axillary treatment in women with early-stage breast cancer who have metastases in one or two sentinel nodes

INTRODUCTION

ACOSOG-Z0011(Z11) trial showed that axillary node clearance (ANC) may be omitted in women with ≤2 positive nodes undergoing breast conserving surgery (BCS) and whole breast radiotherapy (RT). A confirmatory study is needed to clarify the role of axillary treatment in women with ≤2 macrometastases undergoing BCS and groups that were not included in Z11 for example, mastectomy and those with microscopic extranodal invasion. The primary objective of POsitive Sentinel NOde: adjuvant therapy alone versus adjuvant therapy plus Clearance or axillary radiotherapy (POSNOC) is to evaluate whether for women with breast cancer and 1 or 2 macrometastases, adjuvant therapy alone is non-inferior to adjuvant therapy plus axillary treatment, in terms of 5-year axillary recurrence.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

POSNOC is a pragmatic, multicentre, non-inferiority, international trial with participants randomised in a 1:1 ratio. Women are eligible if they have T1/T2, unifocal or multifocal invasive breast cancer, and 1 or 2 macrometastases at sentinel node biopsy, with or without extranodal extension. In the intervention group women receive adjuvant therapy alone, in the standard care group they receive ANC or axillary RT. In both groups women receive adjuvant therapy, according to local guidelines. This includes systemic therapy and, if indicated, RT to breast or chest wall. The UK Radiotherapy Trials Quality Assurance Group manages the in-built radiotherapy quality assurance programme. Primary endpoint is 5-year axillary recurrence. Secondary outcomes are arm morbidity assessed by Lymphoedema and Breast Cancer Questionnaire and QuickDASH questionnaires; quality of life and anxiety as assessed with FACT B+4 and State/Trait Anxiety Inventory questionnaires, respectively; other oncological outcomes; economic evaluation using EQ-5D-5L. Target sample size is 1900. Primary analysis is per protocol. Recruitment started on 1 August 2014 and as of 9 June 2021, 1866 participants have been randomised.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Protocol was approved by the National Research Ethics Service Committee East Midlands-Nottingham 2 (REC reference: 13/EM/0459). Results will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ISRCTN54765244; NCT0240168Cite Now.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy with one-step nucleic acid assay relegates the need for preoperative ultrasound-guided biopsy staging of the axilla in patients with early stage breast cancer

Avoiding axillary node clearance in patients with early stage breast cancer and low-burden node-positive axillary disease is an emerging practice. Informing the decision to adopt axillary conservation is examined by comparing routine preoperative axillary staging using ultrasound (AUS) ± AUS biopsy (AUSB) with intraoperative staging using sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) and a one-step nucleic acid cytokeratin-19 amplification assay (OSNA). A single-centre, retrospective cohort study of 1,315 consecutive new diagnoses of breast cancer in 1,306 patients was undertaken in the present study. An AUS ± AUSB was performed on all patients as part of their initial assessment. Patients who had a normal ultrasound (AUS-) or negative biopsy (AUSB-) followed by SLNB with OSNA ± axillary lymph node dissection (ALND), and those with a positive AUSB (AUSB+), were assessed. Tests for association were determined using a χ² and Fisher's Exact test. A total of 266 (20.4%) patients with cT1-3 cN0 staging received 271 AUSBs. Of these, 205 biopsies were positive and 66 were negative. The 684 patients with an AUS-/AUSB-assessment proceeded to SLNB with OSNA. AUS sensitivity and negative predictive value (NPV) were 0.53 [0.44-0.62; 95% confidence interval (CI)] and 0.58 (0.53-0.64, 95% CI), respectively. Using a total tumour load cut-off of 15,000 copies/µl to predict ≥2 macro-metastases, the sensitivity and NPV for OSNA were 0.82 (0.71-0.92, 95% CI) and 0.98 (0.97-0.99, 95% CI) (OSNA vs. AUS P<0.0001). Of the AUSB+ patients, 51% had ≤2 positive nodes following ALND and were potentially over-treated. Where available, SLNB with OSNA should replace AUSB for axillary assessment in cT1-2 cN0 patients with ≤2 indeterminate nodes seen on AUS.

Implementation and Effectiveness of Coaching for Surgeons in Practice - A Mixed Studies Systematic Review

INTRODUCTION

Despite recent changes to medical education, surgical training remains largely based on the apprenticeship model. However, after completing training, there are few structured learning opportunities available for surgeons in practice to refine their skills or acquire new skills. Personalized observation with feedback is rarely a feature of traditional continuing medical education learning. Coaching has recently been proposed as a modality to meet these educational gaps; however, data are limited, and few coaching programs presently exist. The purpose of this study is to summarize the characteristics of coaching programs for surgeons in practice including participant satisfaction, program outcomes, and barriers to implementation, in the published literature.

METHODS

A mixed studies systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines to identify all original studies describing or investigating coaching for practicing surgeons up to 06/2019. Quantitative analysis was used to summarize numerical data, and qualitative analysis using grounded theory methodology for descriptive data was used to summarize the results into themes across studies.

RESULTS

After identification of articles, 27 were included in the final synthesis. Twenty-six articles described execution of a coaching program. Programs varied widely with 18/26 focusing on teaching new skills, and the remainder on refinement of skills. Thematic analysis identified 2 major data categories that guided deeper analysis: outcomes of and barriers to coaching. Of the 16 (62%) programs that reported outcomes of coaching, 42% to 100% of participants reported changes in clinical practice directly associated with coaching. Positive satisfaction after completion of a program was reported by 82% to 100% of participants. Reported barriers to participating in a coaching program emerged along 3 main themes: logistical constraints, surgical culture, and perceived lack of need.

CONCLUSIONS

Coaching for surgeons in practice is highly rated by participants and often results in clinical practice changes, while cultural and logistical issues were identified as barriers to implementation. A better understanding of these factors is required to guide coaching program development and implementation.

Evaluation of distant sequelae of breast cancer treatment among patients after breast-conserving surgery depending on the type of intervention in the axillary fossa

Aim of the study

The goal of this work was to assess upper-limb sequelae among patients undergoing breast-conserving therapy (BCT) for breast cancer 5-6 years after the surgical procedure.

Material and methods

A controlled clinical study was conducted on 128 patients who had undergone surgery 5-6 years prior. BCT + ALND (axillary lymph node dissection) was performed in 58 patients and 69 underwent BCT + SLND (sentinel lymph node dissection). Patients declared active participation in physiotherapy. The following parameters were assessed in studied subjects: range of motion in the shoulder joint, superficial sensation, upper limb circumference, skin sensation, and presence of winged scapula sign.

Results

Five to six years after BCT, patients who had undergone BCT + ALND presented with significantly poorer outcomes concerning upper limb range of motion on the operated side compared to the BCT + SLND group with regard to the following features: flexion (p = 0.00004), external rotation (p = 0.0292), and internal rotation (p = 0.0448). However, no statistically significant differences were noted between compared groups with regard to upper limb circumference and sensation disturbances. Statistically significant differences between limb on the operated side (operated limb - OL) vs. contralateral limb (healthy limb - HL) were noted in the BCT + SLND group with regard to the range of motion in extension (p = 0.0004), external rotation (p = 0.0055), and internal rotation (p < 0.0001), as well as the occurrence of winged scapula sign (p < 0.0001) and sensation disturbances (p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Our study demonstrated that both procedures are not free of distant sequelae, although the BCT + ALND group is more frequently affected.

Analysis of Undesirable Sequelae of Sentinel Node Surgery in Breast Cancer Patients - a Prospective Cohort Study

Use of sentinel lymph node biopsy limits the frequency and severity of sequelae of surgical treatment. However, the procedure itself may not be completely free of complications. The goal of this work was to analyze prospectively the occurrence of undesirable sequelae in patients undergoing sentinel lymph node biopsy as an isolated intervention in the axillary fossa. This prospective observational study was conducted on a group of 104 women. Patients were examined on five occasions: one day before the procedure, one day after the procedure, one month, three months, and six months after the procedure. At every stage of the study they were assessed for tactile sensation, range of motion in the shoulder joint, upper limb circumference, sensation abnormalities, winged scapula sign, and pain severity according to Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). In the study group we observed statistically significant differences, such as limited mobility in the shoulder joint (p ≤ 0.01), gradual increase in limb circumference on the operated side (p < 0.01) and pain (p ≤ 0.01). Despite relatively low invasiveness of the procedure, sentinel lymph node biopsy is not entirely devoid of the risk of undesirable sequelae.

Intraoperative prediction of the two axillary lymph node macrometastases threshold in patients with breast cancer using a one-step nucleic acid cytokeratin-19 amplification assay

The aim of the present study was to assess the sensitivity, specificity and practicality of using a one-step nucleic acid amplification (OSNA) assay during breast cancer staging surgery to predict and discriminate between at least 2 involved nodes and more than 2 involved nodes and facilitate the decision to provide axillary conservation in the presence of a low total axillary node tumour burden. A total of 700 consecutive patients, not treated with neo-adjuvant chemotherapy, received intraoperative sentinel lymph node (SLN) analysis using OSNA for cT1-T3 cN0 invasive breast cancer. Patients with at least one macrometastasis on whole-node SLN analysis underwent axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). The total tumour load (TTL) of the macrometastatic SLN sample was compared with the non-sentinel lymph node (NSLN) status of the ALND specimen using routine histological assessment. In total, 122/683 patients (17.9%) were found to have an OSNA TTL indicative of macrometastasis. In addition, 45/122 (37%) patients had NSLN metastases on ALND with a total positive lymph node burden exceeding the American College of Surgeons Oncology Group Z0011 trial threshold of two macrometastatic nodes. The TTL negative predictive value was 0.975 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.962-0.988]. The area under the curve for the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.86 (95% CI, 0.81-0.91), indicating that SLN TTL was associated with the prediction (and partitioning) of total axillary disease burden. OSNA identifies a TTL threshold value where, in the presence of involved SLNs, ALND may be avoided. This technique offers objective confidence in adopting conservative management of the axilla in patients with SLN macrometastases.

Quality Indicators for Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Breast Cancer: Applicability and Clinical Relevance in a Non-screened Population

Quality Indicators for Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Breast Cancer: Applicability and Clinical Relevance in a Non-screened Population: sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has replaced axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) as standard of care for management of early breast cancer. This study assessed our SLNB program against 11 published quality indicators (QIs). All breast cancer patients who underwent SLNB in our centre from June 2013-Dec 2015 were included. Clinical, pathological and follow-up data were extracted from the institutional REDCap data system. Analysis was done with SPSS 23. Following validation, 234 patients had SLNB, always performed along with primary surgery. Identification rate was 95.3% and > 1 SLN was identified in 72% of patients. SLNB positivity was 33%, of these, 100% underwent ALND. Overall 91% of QI eligible patients underwent SLNB. No ineligible patients (T4) underwent SLNB. For the patients who had radio colloid, injection criteria were met for 100%. Pathological evaluation and reporting criteria were met for 100% of patients. There were no axillary recurrences in a median follow-up of 2 years. 7.6% patients had SLN negative on frozen section but positive on final histology. 7.2% of patients with clinical negative nodes had pN2 disease in final histopathology report after surgery. Sixty percent of patients who had completion ALND had only positive SLN. This study supports the applicability of published QI of SLNB in a non-screened cohort of early breast cancer patients. Although QI were useful, modification based on patient characteristics and resource availability may be needed. These indicators can be used as audit tools to improve the overall accuracy of the procedure.

Intraoperative Assessment of Tumor Resection Margins in Breast-Conserving Surgery Using 18F-FDG Cerenkov Luminescence Imaging: A First-in-Human Feasibility Study

In early-stage breast cancer, the primary treatment option for most women is breast-conserving surgery (BCS). There is a clear need for more accurate techniques to assess resection margins intraoperatively, because on average 20% of patients require further surgery to achieve clear margins. Cerenkov luminescence imaging (CLI) combines optical and molecular imaging by detecting light emitted by 18F-FDG. Its high-resolution and small size imaging equipment make CLI a promising technology for intraoperative margin assessment. A first-in-human study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of 18F-FDG CLI for intraoperative assessment of tumor margins in BCS. Methods: Twenty-two patients with invasive breast cancer received 18F-FDG (5 MBq/kg) 45-60 min before surgery. Sentinel lymph node biopsy was performed using an increased 99mTc-nanocolloid activity of 150 MBq to facilitate nodal detection against the γ-probe background signal (cross-talk) from 18F-FDG. The cross-talk and 99mTc dose required was evaluated in 2 lead-in studies. Immediately after excision, specimens were imaged intraoperatively in an investigational CLI system. The first 10 patients were used to optimize the imaging protocol; the remaining 12 patients were included in the analysis dataset. Cerenkov luminescence images from incised BCS specimens were analyzed postoperatively by 2 surgeons blinded to the histopathology results, and mean radiance and margin distance were measured. The agreement between margin distance on CLI and histopathology was assessed. Radiation doses to staff were measured. Results: Ten of the 12 patients had an elevated tumor radiance on CLI. Mean radiance and tumor-to-background ratio were 560 ± 160 photons/s/cm2/sr and 2.41 ± 0.54, respectively. All 15 assessable margins were clear on CLI and histopathology. The agreement in margin distance and interrater agreement was good (κ = 0.81 and 0.912, respectively). Sentinel lymph nodes were successfully detected in all patients. The radiation dose to staff was low; surgeons received a mean dose of 34 ± 15 μSv per procedure. Conclusion: Intraoperative 18F-FDG CLI is a promising, low-risk technique for intraoperative assessment of tumor margins in BCS. A randomized controlled trial will evaluate the impact of this technique on reexcision rates.

Comparison between the indocyanine green fluorescence and blue dye methods for sentinel lymph node biopsy using novel fluorescence image-guided resection equipment in different types of hospitals

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has become a standard of care to detect axillary lymph metastasis in early-stage breast cancer patients with clinically negative axillary lymph nodes. Current SLNB detection modalities comprising a blue dye, a radioactive tracer, or a combination of both have advantages as well as disadvantages. Thus, near-infrared fluorescence imaging using indocyanine green (ICG) has recently been regarded as a novel method that has generated interest for SLNB around the world. However, the lack of appropriate fluorescence imaging systems has hindered further research and wide application of this method. Therefore, we developed novel fluorescence image-guided resection equipment (FIRE) to detect sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs). Moreover, to compare the ICG fluorescence imaging method with the blue dye method and to explore the universal feasibility of the former, a different type of hospital study was conducted. Ninety-nine eligible patients participated in the study at 3 different types of hospitals. After subcutaneous ICG allergy testing, all the patients were subcutaneously injected with methylene blue and ICG into the subareolar area. Consequently, 276 SLNs (range 1-7) were identified in 98 subjects (detection rate: 99%) by using the ICG fluorescence imaging method. In contrast, the blue dye method only identified 202 SLNs (range 1-7) in 91 subjects (detection rate: 91.92%). Besides, the results of the fluorescence imaging method were similar in the 3 hospitals. Our findings indicate the universal feasibility of the ICG fluorescence imaging method for SLNB using the fluorescence image-guided resection equipment in early breast cancer detection.

Patient pathway for breast cancer: turning points and future aspirations

Improved survival from breast cancer can be attributed to a number of advances in the patient pathway from screening to advanced disease. The benefit of population screening has been established with national programs implemented. There has been improvement in the methodology of diagnostic assessment, relating to imaging techniques, methods of obtaining histological evidence and evaluation of lymph node status. Sentinel node biopsy is now routine, as is oncoplastic surgery. New forms and improved adjuvant systemic therapies are being explored. The prognosis of breast cancer can be more reliably evaluated to provide individualized information and to personalize treatments. Developments have also been seen in other areas improving the treatment and care of patients with advanced disease.

Intraoperative radiotherapy for breast cancer

Intra-operative radiotherapy (IORT) as a treatment for breast cancer is a relatively new technique that is designed to be a replacement for whole breast external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) in selected women suitable for breast-conserving therapy. This article reviews twelve reasons for the use of the technique, with a particular emphasis on targeted intra-operative radiotherapy (TARGIT) which uses X-rays generated from a portable device within the operating theatre immediately after the breast tumour (and surrounding margin of healthy tissue) has been removed. The delivery of a single fraction of radiotherapy directly to the tumour bed at the time of surgery, with the capability of adding EBRT at a later date if required (risk-adaptive technique) is discussed in light of recent results from a large multinational randomised controlled trial comparing TARGIT with EBRT. The technique avoids irradiation of normal tissues such as skin, heart, lungs, ribs and spine, and has been shown to improve cosmetic outcome when compared with EBRT. Beneficial aspects to both institutional and societal economics are discussed, together with evidence demonstrating excellent patient satisfaction and quality of life. There is a discussion of the published evidence regarding the use of IORT twice in the same breast (for new primary cancers) and in patients who would never be considered for EBRT because of their special circumstances (such as the frail, the elderly, or those with collagen vascular disease). Finally, there is a discussion of the role of the TARGIT Academy in developing and sustaining high standards in the use of the technique.

Sentinel lymph node status and axillary lymph node dissection in the surgical treatment of breast cancer

Axillary lymph node dissection has been traditionally perceived as a therapeutic and a staging procedure and unselectively removes all axillary lymph nodes. There still remains some controversy as concerns the survival benefit associated with axillary clearance. Sentinel lymph node biopsy removes the most likely sites of regional metastases, the lymph nodes directly connected with the primary tumour. It allows a more accurate staging and a selective indication for clearing the axilla, restricting this to patients who may benefit of it. Axillary dissection was performed in all patients during the learning phase of sentinel lymphadenectomy, but later only patients with metastasis to a sentinel node underwent this operation. Currently, even some patients with minimal sentinel node involvement, including some with macrometastasis may skip axillary clearance. This review summarizes the changes that have occurred in the surgical management of the axilla, the evidences and controversies behind these changes, along with current recommendations. Orv. Hetil., 2014, 155(6), 203–215.

Added value of blue dye injection in sentinel node biopsy of breast cancer patients: do all patients need blue dye?

BACKGROUND

In the current study, we evaluated the incremental value of blue dye injection in sentinel node mapping of early breast cancer patients. We specially considered the experience of the surgeons and lymphoscintigraphy results in this regard.

METHODS

605 patients with early stage breast cancer were retrospectively evaluated in the study. Patients underwent sentinel node mapping using combined radiotracer and blue dye techniques. Lymphoscintiraphy was also performed for 590 patients. Blue dye, radioisotope, and overall success rates in identifying the sentinel lymph node were evaluated in different patient groups. The benefit of blue dye and radioisotope in identifying the sentinel lymph nodes was also evaluated.

RESULTS

Marginal benefits of both blue dye and isotope for overall sentinel node detection as well as pathologically involved sentinel nodes were statistically higher in inexperienced surgeons and in patients with sentinel node visualization failure. In the patients with sentinel node visualization on lymphoscintigraphy, 6 sentinel nodes were detected by blue dye only. All these six nodes were harvested by inexperienced surgeons. On the other hand 8 sentinel nodes were detected by dye only in the patients with sentinel node non-visualization. All these nodes were harvested by experienced surgeons.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of blue dye should be reserved for inexperienced surgeons during their learning phase and for those patients in whom lymphoscintigraphy failed to show any uptake in the axilla.

Near-infrared fluorescence sentinel lymph node mapping in breast cancer: a multicenter experience

Near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging using indocyanine green (ICG) has the potential to improve the sentinel lymph node (SLN) procedure by facilitating percutaneous and intraoperative identification of lymphatic channels and SLNs. Previous studies suggested that a dose of 0.62 mg (1.6 mL of 0.5 mM) ICG is optimal for SLN mapping in breast cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of NIR fluorescence for SLN mapping in breast cancer patients when used in conjunction with conventional techniques. Study subjects were 95 breast cancer patients planning to undergo SLN procedure at either the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center (Boston, MA, USA) or the Leiden University Medical Center (Leiden, the Netherlands) between July 2010 and January 2013. Subjects underwent the standard-of-care SLN procedure at each institution using (99)Technetium-colloid in all subjects and patent blue in 27 (28 %) of the subjects. NIR fluorescence-guided SLN detection was performed using the Mini-FLARE imaging system. SLN identification was successful in 94 of 95 subjects (99 %) using NIR fluorescence imaging or a combination of both NIR fluorescence imaging and radioactive guidance. In 2 of 95 subjects, radioactive guidance was necessary for initial in vivo identification of SLNs. In 1 of 95 subjects, NIR fluorescence was necessary for initial in vivo identification of SLNs. A total of 177 SLNs (mean 1.9, range 1-5) were resected: 100 % NIR fluorescent, 88 % radioactive, and 78 % (of 40 nodes) blue. In 2 of 95 subjects (2.1 %), SLNs-containing macrometastases were found only by NIR fluorescence, and in one patient this led to upstaging to N1. This study demonstrates the safe and accurate application of NIR fluorescence imaging for the identification of SLNs in breast cancer patients, but calls into question what technique should be used as the gold standard in future studies.

Surgeon and breast unit volume-outcome relationships in breast cancer surgery and treatment

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether surgeon case volume and Unit case volume affected specific recognized key performance indicators (KPIs) of breast cancer surgical management.

BACKGROUND

An increasing body of evidence suggests that a higher standard of cancer care, demonstrated by improved outcomes, is provided in high-volume units or by high-volume surgeons. The volume-outcome relationship pertaining to screen-detected breast cancers has yet to be thoroughly established and remains a pertinent issue in view of the debate surrounding breast cancer screening.

METHODS

The study population comprised all women with a new screen diagnosed breast cancer between 2004-2005 and 2009-2010. Surgeons' mean annual patient volumes were calculated and grouped as very low (<5), low (5-15), medium (16-49), or high volume (>50). The effect of breast screening unit volume was also evaluated. Statistical analyses were performed using Minitab V16.0 software (State College, PA) and R V2.13.0.

RESULTS

There were 81,416 patients aged 61 (±6.8) years treated by 682 surgeons across 82 units. There were 209 very low-, 126 low-, 295 medium-, and 51 high-volume surgeons. The proportion of patients managed by very low-, low-, medium-, and high-volume surgeons was 1.2%, 6.9%, 65.5%, and 25.7%, respectively. Patients managed by high-volume surgeons were more likely to have breast-conserving surgery (BCS) than those managed by low-volume surgeons (P < 0.001). There was a higher proportion of sentinel lymph node biopsies (SLNB) performed by high-volume surgeons in invasive cancers (P = 0.005). High-volume units performed more BCS and SLNB than low-volume units (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Even in a setting with established quality control measures (KPIs) surgeon and unit volume have potent influences on initial patient management and treatment.

Comparison of the sentinel node procedure between patients with multifocal and unifocal breast cancer in the EORTC 10981-22023 AMAROS Trial: identification rate and nodal outcome

INTRODUCTION

Multifocal breast cancer is associated with a higher risk of nodal involvement compared to unifocal breast cancer and the drainage pattern from multifocal localisations may be different. For this reason, the value of the sentinel node biopsy (SNB) procedure for this indication is debated. The aim of the current analysis was to evaluate the sentinel node identification rate and nodal involvement in patients with a multifocal tumour in the EORTC 10981-22023 AMAROS trial.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From the first 4000 registered patients, 342 were identified with a multifocal tumour on histological examination and compared to a randomly selected control group of 684 patients with a unifocal tumour. The outcome of the SNB was assessed.

RESULTS

The sentinel node was identified in 96% of the patients with a multifocal tumour and in 98% of those with unifocal disease. In the multifocal group, 51% had a metastasis in the sentinel node compared to 28% in the unifocal group; and further nodal involvement after a positive sentinel node was found in 40% (38/95) and 39% (39/101) respectively.

CONCLUSION

In this prospective international multicentre study, the 96% detection rate indicates that the SNB procedure can be highly effective in patients with a multifocal tumour. Though the tumour-positive rate of the sentinel node was twice as high in the multifocal group compared to the unifocal group, further nodal involvement after a positive sentinel node was similar in both groups. This suggests that the SNB procedure is safe in patients with multifocal breast cancer.

Axillary treatment for patients with early breast cancer and lymph node metastasis: systematic review protocol

BACKGROUND

For patients with early breast cancer and lymph node metastasis, axillary treatment is widely recommended. This is either surgical removal of the axillary lymph nodes, or axillary radiotherapy. The rationale for axillary treatment is that it will reduce the risk of recurrence in the axilla, and may improve survival. However, both treatments are associated with adverse effects, such as lymphedema, pain and sensory loss, and are costly to the health services and to patients. With improvements in adjuvant therapy, routine axillary treatment may no longer offer any overall advantage.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the short and long term benefits and adverse effects of routine axillary treatment (axillary lymph node clearance or axillary radiotherapy) for patients with lymph node positive early-stage breast cancer.

METHODS/DESIGN

Criteria for potentially eligibility for the study will be that the participants are men and women with early breast cancer and lymph nodes with metastasis. The study compares either axillary treatment with no axillary treatment, or axillary node clearance with axillary radiotherapy, and the study is a randomized trial. Primary outcomes are axillary recurrence, disease-free and overall survival. Secondary outcomes include breast or chest wall recurrence, distant metastasis, time to axillary recurrence, axillary recurrence-free survival, arm morbidity, quality of life and health economic costs. The search strategy will include the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE and WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) search portal. Two independent reviewers will assess studies for inclusion in the review, assess study quality and extract data. Characteristics of included studies will be described. Meta-analysis will be conducted using ReVman software.

COMMENT

This review addresses an important clinical question, and results will inform clinical practice and health care policy.