Upper outer boundaries of the axillary dissection. Result of the SENTIBRAS protocol: Multicentric protocol using axillary reverse mapping in breast cancer patients requiring axillary dissection

Excluding Upper Axillary Level 1 in Regional Nodal Irradiation Does Not Increase Axillary Recurrence Risk in Patients With Breast Cancer

PURPOSE

The optimal extent of regional nodal irradiation (RNI) in postoperative radiation therapy for breast cancer, particularly regarding axillary level 1 (AXL1), remains uncertain. This study aimed to compare clinical outcomes between extensive RNI including the entire axilla and limited RNI excluding the upper AXL1 in patients with breast cancer.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

A retrospective analysis included 1780 women with nonmetastatic unilateral breast cancer who underwent RNI during postoperative radiation therapy between 2007 and 2018. Patients were classified into extensive and limited RNI groups based on the upper AXL1 inclusion in the radiation field. Propensity-score matching yielded a cohort of 1020 patients. Noninferiority of limited RNI compared with extensive RNI was assessed with a defined margin of ≤2% in the 5-year axillary recurrence rate.

RESULTS

After a median follow-up of 67.9 months, the 5-year axillary recurrence rates were similar between extensive and limited RNI groups (1.2% vs 1.6%; Plog-rank= .790). Limited RNI demonstrated noninferiority with a 0.4% difference (95% confidence interval, -1.1% to 1.9%; Pnoninferiority= .019). Disease-free survival (87.9% vs 91.5%; Plog-rank= .122) and overall survival (94.1% vs 96.9%; Plog-rank= .260) at 5 years were not significantly different between extensive and limited RNI groups. Multivariable analysis revealed that lymphovascular invasion (hazard ratio [HR], 5.17; P = .02) and negative hormone receptor status (HR, 11.73; P = .002) were associated with a higher risk of axillary recurrence, whereas limited RNI showed no significant association (HR, 1.35; P = .652). Subgroup analysis demonstrated that extensive RNI did not improve axillary control in patients with lymphovascular invasion, hormone receptor negativity, positive lymph node metastasis, or a small number of nodes removed.

CONCLUSIONS

Limited RNI, excluding the upper AXL1 from the radiation field, demonstrated axillary recurrence rates comparable with those of extensive RNI in patients with breast cancer. The study suggests that extensive RNI may not provide additional therapeutic benefits, whereas limited RNI appears to be a valid option for regional control.

Hypofractionation for Regional Nodal Irradiation in Breast Cancer: Best of Both the Worlds

Locoregional radiotherapy play an important role in controlling the disease after surgery in patients with breast cancer. Radiotherapy schedules vary from conventional fraction to hypofractionation. The purpose of this review is to get an insight into the data on regional nodal irradiation (RNI) with hypofractionation in patients with breast cancer. This systematic review was constructed in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) framework. Electronic databases such as PubMed, Cochrane and EMBASE were searched from January 1, 2023 to March 31, 2023 to identify studies published in English language on hypofractionated RNI in post mastectomy patients. The search was carried out with the National Library of Medicine's Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) terms like "regional nodal irradiation," "hypofractionated" and "hypofractionation in breast cancer" with different Boolean operators (and/or). A manual search of reference lists of included articles was also performed to make sure there were no additional cases unidentified from the primary search. Studies deemed potentially eligible were identified and assessed by same independent reviewers to confirm eligibility. RNI data are mainly from a randomized study from Beijing and pooled data from START trials. There are also data from retrospective and single institutional studies and a few phase II studies with limited number of patients using different dose fractionations and techniques of radiotherapy. Doses used in these trials ranged from 26-47.7 Gy in 5-19 fractions over 1-4 weeks. Grade ≥ 2 pulmonary fibrosis and lymphedema rate ranged from 2%-7.9% and 3%-19.8% respectively. Grade ≥ 2 shoulder dysfunction and brachial plexopathy ranged from 0.2%-28% and 0%-< 1%, respectively. Late effects with a dose range of 26-40 Gy delivered in 5 to 15 fractions over 1-3 weeks were less/similar to conventional fraction. Current data showed lower/similar rates of toxicity with hypofractionated RNI compared with conventional fractionation RNI. Doses of 26 Gy to 40 Gy delivered in 5 to 15 fractions over 1-3 weeks are safe for RNI. With limited data, ultra-hypofractionation 26 Gy/5 fractions/1 week also seems to be safe. However, long-term outcome is awaited and many trials are going on to address its efficacy and safety.

The Role of Post-Mastectomy Radiotherapy in T1-2N1 Breast Cancer Patients: Propensity Score Matched Analysis

This study aimed to evaluate the role of post-mastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) in T1-2N1 breast cancer. Between 2006 and 2014, a total of 504 patients with T1-2N1 breast cancer were analyzed. PMRT was administered to 71 patients, and 1:2 propensity score matching (PSM) was performed between the PMRT and non-PMRT groups. Loco-regional control (LRC), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) rates were compared according to PMRT status. Thirteen and one loco-regional recurrences were observed in the PMRT and non-PMRT groups, respectively. Before PSM, the 8-year LRC, DFS, and OS rates in the non-PMRT and PMRT groups were 98.5% and 96.5% (p = 0.426), 89.7% and 91.2% (p = 0.700), and 91.5% and 92.1% (p = 0.679), respectively. Corresponding rates were 95.6% and 96.5% (p = 0.365), 84.1% and 91.2% (p = 0.185), and 88.4% and 92.1% (p = 0.276), respectively, after PSM. Multivariate analysis showed that three lymph node metastases were prognostic for LRC and DFS rates and LVI for OS rate. Arm lymphedema developed in 32.4% of patients who received PMRT, which was significantly higher than the non-PMRT group (p < 0.001). Contributions of PMRT for improvement of treatments outcomes in T1-2N1 breast cancer patients were not evident, while the incidence of arm lymphedema significantly increased after PMRT. Further prospective trials are required to re-evaluate the role of PMRT.

Lymph Node Positivity of Axillary Reverse Mapping Lymph Nodes at the Time of Axillary Lymph Node Dissection: Two-Site Prospective Trial

BACKGROUND

Axillary reverse mapping (ARM) was introduced in 2007 to identify and selectively preserve upper-extremity lymphatics during axillary lymph node surgery to decrease the risk of lymphedema. The patient population in which an ARM lymph node (LN) can be preserved during an axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) has not been established to date. This study aimed to determine the frequency of metastatic involvement of an ARM LN among patients undergoing ALND.

METHODS

Patients undergoing ALND with or without immediate lymphatic reconstruction (ILR) were enrolled in a prospective trial at two institutional sites between April 2018 and Decemeber 2022. This report analyzes the ARM node positivity and total LN positivity rates during ALND for the cohort of patients enrolled in the ILR intervention arm of the study.

RESULTS

The inclusion criteria were met by 139 patients, who made up the study population (133 with breast cancer and 6 with other disease). Of the breast cancer patients, 99.2% were female, 35.3% (47/133) were cT3 or greater, and 96.2% (128/133) had cN1 or greater disease. For 55 of the 133 patients (41.4%), the ARM nodes were marked and specified in the pathology report. Of the 55 patients, 39 (70.9%) had a positive LN at ALND. Of these 55 patients, 11 (20%) had positive ARM nodes. The ARM LN was the only positive node in 3 of the 11 patients.

CONCLUSION

In the contemporary patient population undergoing ALND, the positivity rate of the ARM LN was relatively high, suggesting that leaving ARM LNs in patients undergoing ALND may not be oncologically safe.

Conservative axillary surgery is emerging in the surgical management of breast cancer

Axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) has been the standard axillary treatment for breast cancer for a long time. However, ALND is associated with postoperative morbidities, including local sensory dysfunction, reduced shoulder mobility and most notably arm lymphedema. Recently, ALND can be avoided not only in clinically node-negative (cN0) patients with negative sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs), but also in patients with less than 3 positive SLNs receiving breast radiation, axillary radiation, or a combination of the two. Moreover, SLN biopsy has been adopted for use in clinically node-positive (cN +) patients presenting as cN0 after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC); ALND may be avoided in cN + patients who convert to SLN-negative following NAC. Patients who undergo SLN biopsy alone have less postsurgical morbidities than those who undergo ALND. Nevertheless, ALND is still required in a select group of patients. A variety of conservative approaches to ALND have been developed to spare arm lymphatics to minimize arm lymphedema. These conservative procedures seem to decrease the incidence of lymphedema without increasing axillary recurrence. In the era of effective multimodality therapy, full conventional ALND removing all microscopic axillary disease may now be unnecessary in both cN0 patients and cN + patients. Regardless, emerging procedures for ALND should still be considered as investigational approaches, as further studies with longer follow-up are necessary to determine the safety of conservative ALND to spare arm lymphatics.

Axillary reverse mapping using near-infrared fluorescence imaging in invasive breast cancer (ARMONIC study)

BACKGROUND

Axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) in patients with breast cancer has potential side effects, including upper-limb lymphedema. Axillary reverse mapping (ARM) is a technique that enables discrimination of the lymphatic drainage of the upper limb in the axillary lymph node basin from that of the breast. We aimed to evaluate ARM node identification by near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging during total mastectomy with ALND and then to analyze potential predictive factors of ARM node involvement.

METHODS

The study enrolled 119 patients diagnosed with invasive breast cancer with an indication for ALND. NIR imaging using indocyanine green dye was performed in 109 patients during standard ALND to identify ARM nodes and their corresponding lymphatic ducts.

RESULTS

94.5% of patients had ARM nodes identified (95%CI = [88.4-98.0]). The ARM nodes were localized in zone D in 63.4% of cases. Metastatic axillary lymph nodes were found in 55% in the whole cohort, and 19.4% also had metastasis in ARM nodes. Two patients had metastatic ARM nodes but not in the remaining axillary lymph nodes. No serious adverse events were observed. Only the amount of mitosis was significantly associated with ARM node metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS

ARM by NIR fluorescence imaging could be a reliable technique to identify ARM nodes in real-time when ALND is performed. The clinical data compared with ARM node histological diagnosis showed only the amount of mitosis in the diagnostic biopsy is a potential predictive factor of ARM node involvement.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT02994225.

Outcomes and technical modifications of vascularized lymph node transplantation from the lateral thoracic region for treatment of lymphedema

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

This study evaluates clinical outcomes of vascularized lymph node transplantation (VLNT) from the lateral thoracic region and technical modifications.

METHODS

Consecutive patients that underwent lateral thoracic VLNT to treat extremity lymphedema were included. Demographic and treatment data were recorded, and outcomes data including limb volume, LDex score, and Lymphedema Life Impact Scale (LLIS), QuickDASH, and LEFS questionnaires, were collected prospectively. Consecutive patients that underwent single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT/CT) lymphoscintigraphy axillary reverse lymphatic mapping (RLM) were analyzed to characterize the physiological drainage of the normal upper extremity.

RESULTS

A consecutive series of 32 flaps were included. At 24 months postoperatively mean reduction in limb volume excess was 47.2% (±11.6; p = 0.0085), LDex score was 63.1% (±8.5; p < 0.001), and LLIS score was 65.1% (±7.4; p < 0.001). Preoperatively 14/31 patients (45.2%) reported cellulitis, and postoperatively there were no episodes at up to 24 months (p < 0.001). No patient developed donor extremity lymphedema at mean 18.6 (±8.3) months follow-up. SPECT/CT-RLM of 182 normal axillae demonstrated that the sentinel lymph node(s) of the upper extremity was consistently anatomically located in the upper outer quadrant of the axilla (97%).

CONCLUSIONS

VLNT from the lateral thoracic region is effective and versatile for the treatment of lymphedema with a low donor site complication rate.

Feasibility of arm-draining lymph node-sparing radiotherapy of breast cancer: A pilot planning study

INTRODUCTION

Lymphoedema following axillary radiotherapy for breast cancer causes significant morbidity. Our goal was to evaluate the feasibility of sparing the lymph node that drains the arm's lymphatics (ARM node) while achieving standard dose constraints for whole breast and comprehensive lymph node irradiation.

METHODS

Six patients underwent lymphoscintigraphy and SPECT CT to identify the breast sentinel node (SN) and ARM node. The ARM node was contoured on the SPECT CT and deformably registered to the radiotherapy treatment planning CT. Radiotherapy plans (50 Gy in 25 fractions) with VMAT technique were generated, with the aim to spare the ARM node (Mean dose <25 Gy) and achieve adequate coverage to the remaining axilla. The plan required the breast SN site (clip + 10 mm surrounding the clip) to achieve D98% > 47.5 Gy, and axillary nodal CTV excluding ARM node to achieve D90% > 45 Gy.

RESULTS

In one patient, the ARM node was within the volume of breast SN site and sparing was not possible. For the remaining 5 patients, an ARM node-sparing plan could be successfully generated; the mean dose to the ARM node ranged from 11.2 to 23.1 Gy (median 13.8 Gy). In these 5 subjects, D90% > 45 Gy of axillary nodal CTV (range, 44.9-48.5 Gy, median 46.2 Gy) and D98% > 47.5 Gy of breast SN site were achieved.

CONCLUSION

In this planning study, ARM node-sparing VMAT of the breast and lymph nodes was feasible, while maintaining adequate dosimetric coverage. However, in some individuals, localization of the ARM node in close proximity to breast SN site precluded the generation of an ARM node-sparing treatment plan.

Risk of Lymphedema Following Contemporary Treatment for Breast Cancer: An Analysis of 7617 Consecutive Patients From a Multidisciplinary Perspective

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to identify the comprehensive risk factors for lymphedema, thereby enabling a more informed multidisciplinary treatment decision-making.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

Lymphedema is a serious long-term complication in breast cancer patients post-surgery; however, the influence of multimodal therapy on its occurrence remains unclear.

METHODS

We retrospectively collected treatment-related data from 5549 breast cancer patients who underwent surgery between 2007 and 2015 at our institution. Individual radiotherapy plans were reviewed for regional nodal irradiation (RNI) field design and fractionation type. We identified lymphedema risk factors and used them to construct nomograms to predict individual risk of lymphedema. Nomograms were validated internally using 100 bootstrap samples and externally using 2 separate datasets of 1877 Asian and 191 Western patients.

RESULTS

Six hundred thirty-nine patients developed lymphedema during a median follow-up of 60 months. The 3-year lymphedema incidence was 10.5%; this rate increased with larger irradiation volumes (no RNI vs RNI excluding axilla I-II vs RNI including axilla I-II: 5.7% vs 16.8% vs 24.1%) and when using conventional fractionation instead of hypofractionation (13.5% vs 6.8%). On multivariate analysis, higher body mass index, larger number of dissected nodes, taxane-based regimen, total mastectomy, larger irradiation field, and conventional fractionation were strongly associated with lymphedema (all P < 0.001). Nomograms constructed based on these variables showed good calibration and discrimination internally (concordance index: 0.774) and externally (0.832 for Asian and 0.820 for Western patients).

CONCLUSIONS

Trimodality breast cancer treatment factors interact to promote lymphedema. Lymphedema risk can be decreased by deintensifying node dissection, chemotherapy regimen, and field and dose of radiotherapy. Deescalation strategies on a multidisciplinary basis might minimize lymphedema risk.

Prevention of Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema

Tremendous progress has been made over the past several decades in the treatment of breast cancer. Mortality and recurrence rates continue to decline. Our ability to tailor patient- and tumor-specific treatments has rapidly advanced. The vast majority of our patients can safely have breast conservation. Unfortunately, for many patients, survivorship is burdened by ongoing quality-of-life issues. Most breast cancer patients are asymptomatic at presentation, and the onus is on us to preserve this. Surgery, radiation, and systemic therapy can result in long-term toxicities that can be amplified with multimodality approaches. We must strive to apply minimally effective therapies rather than a maximally tolerated approach. Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is a particularly dreaded chronic complication. This review strives to give the reader a better understanding of BCRL and shed light on wisely choosing an integration of treatment modalities that minimizes BCRL risk. Key literature on emerging concepts is highlighted.

Anatomy and physiology of the sentinel lymph nodes of the upper extremity: Implications for axillary reverse mapping in breast cancer

BACKGROUND

This study characterizes the physiological drainage of the normal upper extremity using single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) lymphoscintigraphy axillary reverse lymphatic mapping (ARM).

METHODS

A consecutive series of patients assessed with SPECT/CT lymphoscintigraphy ARM of the upper extremity were included. Anatomical localization of the axillary sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) was completed in normal axillae in relation to consistent anatomic landmarks. Retrospective case note analysis was performed to collect patient demographic data.

RESULTS

A total of 169 patients underwent SPECT/CT lymphoscintigraphy, and imaging of 182 normal axillae was obtained. All patients (100%) had an axillary SLN identified: 19% had a single contrast-enhanced SLN in the axilla and the remainder had multiple. The SLN(s) of the upper extremity was located in the upper outer quadrant (UOQ) of the axilla in 97% of cases (177 axillae). When the SLN(s) was found in the UOQ of the axilla, second-tier lymph nodes were found predominantly in the upper inner quadrant (50% of cases).

CONCLUSIONS

The upper extremity SLN(s) is located in a constant region of the axilla. This study provides the most complete investigation to date and results can be directly applied clinically to ARM techniques and adjuvant radiation planning.

Comparison of indocyanine green and methylene blue use for axillary reverse mapping during axillary lymph node dissection

Axillary reverse mapping (ARM) is a technique to identify arm lymphatic drainage during axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). This study compared the feasibility of ARM using indocyanine green (ICG) or methylene blue (MB), and accessed the oncologic safety of the procedure. Overall, 158 patients qualified for ALND were enrolled. The characteristics of ARM-identified nodes were recorded with ICG (n = 78) or MB (n = 80) visualization. Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of the nodes were performed and validated by histologic analysis. The nodal identification rate in the ICG group significantly surpassed that of the MB group (87.2% vs 52.5%, P < .05) with fewer complications. Note that 10.9% of the patients had metastatic involvement of the ARM-identified nodes. Also 80% of the positive nodes were found in areas B and D, while the ARM-identified nodes mainly located in area A. All the 51 nodes diagnosed as negative of malignancy by FNAC were free of metastasis. Nodal metastasis was significantly correlated with extensive nodel involvement, advanced disease, and the characteristics of identified nodes. In conclusion, ICG appears superior to MB for ARM nodes identification. FNAC, together with the features of primary tumors and ARM nodes, can delineate which nodes could be preserved during ALND.

Axillary reverse mapping in patients undergoing axillary dissection -a short review of the literature

Axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) can be avoided not only in patients with negative sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) but also in those with one or two positive SLNs receiving breast or axillary radiation. However, ALND has remained the standard treatment for patients with clinically positive nodes (cN+). Although axillary reverse mapping (ARM) was developed to map and preserve arm lymphatic drainage during ALND, it could not be indicated for cN + patients because metastatic rate of ARM nodes is high. However, a new type of conservative ALND with ARM attempts to preserve ARM lymphatics and nodes except SLNs and other suspicious palpable nodes, including suspicious ARM nodes. This procedure allowed reduction of the rate of arm lymphedema without increasing axillary recurrence, although patients received postoperative chemotherapy and high-risk patients underwent axillary radiation. Thus, a traditional full ALND may not be necessary for cN + patients in the era of effective multimodality therapy.

Clinical application of axillary reverse mapping in patients with breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The axillary reverse mapping (ARM) technique, identify and preserve arm nodes during sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) or axillary lymph node dissection (ALND), was developed to prevent breast-cancer related lymphedema (BCRL) remains controversial.

METHODS

A comprehensive search of Medline Ovid, Pubmed, Web of Science and the Cochrane CENTRAL databases was conducted from the inception till January 2020. The key word including "breast cancer", "axillary reverse mapping", and "lymphedema". Stata 15.1 software was used for the meta-analysis.

RESULTS

As a result, twenty-nine related studies involving 4954 patients met our inclusion criteria. The pooled overall estimate lymphedema incidence was 7% (95% CI 4%-11%, I² = 90.35%, P < 0.05), with SLNB showed a relatively lower pooled incidence of lymphedema (2%, 95% CI 1%-3%), I² = 26.06%, P = 0.23) than that of ALND (14%, 95% CI 5%-26%, I² = 93.28%, P < 0.05) or SLNB and ALND combined (11%, 95% CI 1%-30%). The ARM preservation during ALND procedure could significantly reduce upper extremity lymphedema in contrast with ARM resection (OR = 0.27, 95% CI 0.20-0.36, I² = 31%, P = 0.161). Intriguingly, the result favored ALND-ARM over standard-ALND in preventing lymphedema occurrence (OR = 0.21, 95% CI 0.14-0.31, I² = 43%, P = 0.153). The risk of metastases in the ARM-nodes was not significantly lower in the patients who had received neoadjuvant chemotherapy, as compared to those without neoadjuvant treatment (OR = 1.20, 95% CI 0.74-1.94, I² = 49.4%, P = 0.095).

CONCLUSIONS

ARM was found to significantly reduce the incidence of BCRL. The selection of patients for this procedure should be based on their axillary nodal status. Preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy has no significant impact on the ARM lymph node metastasis rate.

Comparison of Nodal Target Volume Definition in Breast Cancer Radiation Therapy According to RTOG Versus ESTRO Atlases: A Practical Review From the TransAtlantic Radiation Oncology Network (TRONE)

Regional nodal irradiation has gained interest in recent years with the publication of several important randomized trials and the availability of more conformal techniques. Target volume delineation represents a critical step in the radiation planning process. Adequate coverage of the microscopic tumor spread to regional lymph nodes must be weighed against exposure of critical structures such as the heart and lungs. Among available guidelines for delineating the clinical target volume for the breast/chest wall and regional nodes, the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group and European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology guidelines are the most widely used internationally. These guidelines have been formulated based on anatomic boundaries of areas historically covered in 2-dimensional field-based radiation therapy but have not been validated by patterns-of-failure studies. In recent years, an important body of data has emerged from mapping studies documenting patterns of local and regional recurrence. We aim to review, discuss, and compare contouring guidelines for breast cancer radiation therapy in the context of contemporary data on locoregional relapse to improve their implementation in modern practice.

Mapping of Metastatic Level I Axillary Lymph Nodes in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer

PURPOSE

We examined the distribution of pretreatment nodal metastases to the level I axilla (Ax-L1) to assess the appropriateness of current breast atlases and provide guidelines in relationship to easily identifiable anatomic landmarks for accurate delineation of this lymph node (LN) basin.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer and biopsy-proven metastatic Ax-L1 LNs were identified. We related the location of each LN to its most adjacent rib and its distance from the bottom of the humeral head, axillary vessels, and a line connecting the anterior aspects of the pectoralis and latissimus dorsi muscles (P-L line). LNs were mapped onto a representative planning computed tomography scan, and their distribution was used to validate the current Radiation Therapy Oncology Group, European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology, and Radiotherapy Comparative Effectiveness breast atlases. Furthermore, we examined metastases to a subregion encompassing the superolateral Ax-L1, irradiation of which correlates highly with lymphedema.

RESULTS

We identified 106 eligible patients with 107 biopsied LNs. All LNs fell between the second and fifth ribs (mean, 3.8 ± 0.56). Mean distance from the inferior aspect of the humeral head was 4.3 ± 1.6 cm (range, 0.3-8.4). Mean distance from the inferior aspect of the axillary vessels was 2.9 ± 1.5 cm (range, -0.6 to 5.4). Mean distance from the P-L line was 0.01 ± 1.9 cm (range, -2.2 to 2.4); negative and positive values denote medial or lateral to the P-L line. A Radiation Therapy Oncology Group-compliant Ax-L1 consensus contour, created from contours by 4 attending breast radiation oncologists, partially or fully missed 45% of mapped LNs. European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology- and Radiotherapy Comparative Effectiveness-compliant Ax-L1 similarly missed 46% and 34% of mapped LNs, respectively. LNs were most frequently missed in the lateral direction. The superolateral Ax-L1 encompassed 9.3% of the mapped LNs.

CONCLUSIONS

A significant percentage of at-risk Ax-L1 tissue falls outside current contouring atlases. We propose expansion of the recommended Ax-L1 borders, most notably in the lateral direction.

Relationship between Upper Extremity Lymphatic Drainage and Sentinel Lymph Nodes in Patients with Breast Cancer

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between upper extremity lymphatics and sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) in breast cancer patients.

Methods

Forty-four patients who underwent axillary reverse mapping (ARM) during axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) with SNL biopsy (SLNB) between February 2017 and October 2017 were investigated. ARM was performed using indocyanine green (ICG) to locate the upper extremity lymphatics; methylene blue dye was injected intradermally for SLN mapping.

Results

ARM nodes were found in the ALND fields of all examined patients. The rate of identification of upper extremity lymphatics within the SLNB field was 65.9% (29 of 44). The ARM nodes were involved in metastases arising from primary breast tumors in 7 of the patients (15.9%), while no metastases were detected in pathologic axillary lymph node-negative patients. Lymphatics from the upper extremity drained into the SLNs in 5 of the 44 patients (11.4%); their ARM-detected nodes were found to be in close proximity to the SLNs.

Conclusions

The ARM nodes and SLNs are closely related and share lymphatic drainage routes. The ARM procedure using fluorescence imaging is both feasible and, in patients who are SLN negative, oncologically safe. ARM using ICG is therefore effective for identifying and preserving upper extremity lymphatics, and SLNB combined with ARM appears to be a promising surgical refinement for preventing upper extremity lymphoedema.

Clinical Trial Registration

This trial is registered with ClinicalTrial.gov: NCT02651142.

[Impact of the preservation of the branches of intercostobrachial nerve on the quality of life of patients operated for a breast cancer]

AIM

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the preservation of the intercostobrachial nerve on the quality of life of patients operated for breast cancer.

METHODS

This study was ancillary to cost comparison study of axillary sentinel lymph node detection and axillary lymphadenectomy in early breast cancer. It was a prospective multicenter, observational, non-randomized study. The quality of life was assessed using two questionnaires: QLQ-C30 and specific module QLQ-BR23 Surveys have been performed before initiation of surgery, one week, and 1 month, 8 months and 12 months after discharge from hospitalization for the first surgical procedure.

RESULTS

Five hundred and seventy-eight patients with preservation of intercostobrachial nerve without axillary lymph node dissection (C- P+), 85 without preservation of nerve and axillary lymph node dissection (C+P-) and 57 with preservation of nerve and axillary lymph node dissection (C+P+) have been included in the study. The changing arm symptoms score was significantly different during follow-up between the three groups (P<0.001). This difference between the two groups C- P+ and C+P+ was significant clinically at one week [16.9, IC95%: 11.9 to 22 (P<0.01)], and persisted for up to 12 months [9.9, IC95%: 3.2 à16.6 (P=0.022)]. There was no difference between the group C+P- and C+P+. Results for physical functioning score were similar.

CONCLUSION

Preservation of the intercostobral nerve is not associated with better quality of life. Only axillary lymph node dissection has an impact on quality of life.