Characteristics and clinical outcome of T1 breast cancer: a multicenter retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

A subgroup of T1N0M0 breast cancer (BC) carries a high potential of relapse, and thus may require adjuvant systemic therapy (AST).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Retrospective analysis of all patients with T1 BC, who underwent surgery from January 1999 to December 2009 at 13 French sites. AST was not standardized.

RESULTS

Among 8100 women operated, 5423 had T1 tumors (708 T1a, 2208 T1b and 2508 T1c 11-15 mm). T1a differed significantly from T1b tumors with respect to several parameters (lower age, more frequent negative hormonal status and positive HER2 status, less frequent lymphovascular invasion), exhibiting a mix of favorable and poor prognosis factors. Overall survival was not different between T1a, b or c tumors but recurrence-free survival was significantly higher in T1b than in T1a tumors (P = 0.001). In multivariate analysis, tumor grade, hormone therapy and lymphovascular invasion were independent prognostic factors.

CONCLUSION

Relatively poor outcome of patients with T1a tumors might be explained by a high frequency of risk factors in this subgroup (frequent negative hormone receptors and HER2 overexpression) and by a less frequent administration of AST (endocrine treatment and chemotherapy). Tumor size might not be the main determinant of prognosis in T1 BC.

Prediction of axillary lymph node status in male breast carcinoma

BACKGROUND

To evaluate whether predictive factors of axillary lymph node metastasis in female breast cancer (BC) are similar in male BC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From January 1994 to May 2011, we recorded 80 non-metastatic male BC treated at Institut Curie (IC). We analysed the calibration and discrimination performance of two nomograms [IC, Memorian Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC)] originally designed to predict axillary lymph node metastases in female BC.

RESULTS

About 55% and 24% of the tumours were pT1 and pT4, respectively. Nearly 46% demonstrated axillary lymph node metastasis. About 99% were oestrogen receptor positive and 94% HER2 negative. Lymph node status was the only significant prognostic factor of overall survival (P = 0.012). The area under curve (AUC) of IC and MSKCC nomograms were 0.66 (95% CI 0.54-0.79) and 0.64 (95% CI 0.52-0.76), respectively. The calibration of these two models was inadequate.

CONCLUSIONS

Multi-variate models designed to predict axillary lymph node metastases for female BC were not effective in our male BC series. Our results may be explained by (i) small sample size (ii) different biological determinants influencing axillary metastasis in male BC compared with female BC.

Abstract P1-01-19: Prediction of axillary lymph node status in male breast carcinoma

Background: To evaluate whether predictive factors of axillary lymph node metastasis in female breast cancer (BC) are similar in male BC.

Patients and methods: From January 1994 to May 2011, we recorded 80 non-metastatic male BC treated at Institut Curie. We analysed the calibration and discrimination performance of two nomograms (Institut Curie (IC), Memorian Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC)) originally designed to predict axillary lymph node metastases in female BC.

Results: 55% and 24% of the tumours were pT1 and pT4 respectively. 46% demonstrated axillary lymph node metastasis. 99% were estrogen receptor positive and 94% HER2 negative. Lymph node status was the only significant prognostic factor of overall survival (p = 0.012). The area under curve (AUC) of IC and MSKCC nomograms were 0.66 (95%CI, 0.54–0.79) and 0.64 (95% CI, 0.52–0.76) respectively. The calibration of these two models was inadequate (Table 1).

Abstract OT2-1-01: Feasibility of sentinel node detection after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for patient with proved axillary lymph node involvement: the French prospective multiinstitutional GANEA 2 ongoing trial

Background: Half of the patient treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for a large operable breast cancer have no axillary lymph node involvement at the time of surgery. Sentinel lymph node detection (SLND), performed after NAC, would select patient who might be spared of an axillary lymphadenectomy (AL). In a previous study, we assessed the feasibility of SLND after NAC in the case of patients without axillary involvement1. Previous published series have shown that, for patients with an axillary lymph node involvement before treatment, SLND after NAC bring a low detection rate and a high false negative rate (FNR), making this technique contra indicated in this situation.

The aim of GAEA 2 study is to assess the FNR of SLND after NAC in the particular case of patients with a proven axillary lymph node involvement before NAC.

Patients and Method: Prospective study validated by scientific and ethical National boards.

Inclusion criteria: FIGO stage T2-T3 infiltrating breast carcinoma, indication of NAC, surgery (radical or conservative) after NAC and signature of the consent form,

Exclusion criteria: locally advanced, inflammatory breast cancer, local relapse, previous surgical removal of the tumour, mental disorder, pregnancy or no contraceptive method, contra-indication to NAC, NAC interrupted due to progressive disease.

Design of the study: Indication to plan a NAC, control of inclusion and exclusion criteria, consent form signature, axillary sonography before NAC to select the patient in group 1 (patient with a proven lymph node involvement treated with SLND and complementary AL) or 2 (no involvement proven treated with SLND + AL only if detection failure or involvement). Surgery, breast and axilla, performed 4 to 6 weeks after NAC.

Pathological procedure: No intraoperative histopathological examination. Pathological analysis, of sentinel and non sentinel nodes, carried out according to standard methods and classified according the last American Joint Committee staging system and Sataloff classification.

FNR is defined as the ratio of patients with a false negative case of SLNB to the patients with at least one involved node, SLN or not, among patients with SLN detected.

The hypothesis: Taking into account results of lymph node involvement rate found in GANEA 1, to estimate our hypothesis of a FNR between 10 and 15% with a 95% confidence interval will require to include 858 patients in order to obtain 260 patient with a proven axillary lymph node involvement (group 1).

A standard follow up is planned for each patient, with a clinical breast and axillary examination two times/ year and an annual mammography, for five years. In case of clinical axillary relapse a fine needle aspiration must be performed guided with sonography.

Results: On May 31, 2012, 341 patients were included from 16 French institutions; 130 patients with a proven SLN involvement before NAC and 211 with SLN free of metastasis.

1Classe JM, Bordes V, et al. Sentinel lymph node biopsy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for advanced breast cancer: results of Ganglion Sentinelle et Chimiotherapie Neoadjuvante, a French prospective multicentric study. J Clin Oncol. 2009 Feb.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr OT2-1-01.

Cost comparison of axillary sentinel lymph node detection and axillary lymphadenectomy in early breast cancer. A national study based on a prospective multi-institutional series of 985 patients 'on behalf of the Group of Surgeons from the French Unicancer Federation'

BACKGROUND

Our objective was to assess the global cost of the sentinel lymph node detection [axillary sentinel lymph node detection (ASLND)] compared with standard axillary lymphadenectomy [axillary lymph node dissection (ALND)] for early breast cancer patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a prospective, multi-institutional, observational, cost comparative analysis. Cost calculations were realized with the micro-costing method from the diagnosis until 1 month after the last surgery.

RESULTS

Eight hundred and thirty nine patients were included in the ASLND group and 146 in the ALND group. The cost generated for a patient with an ASLND, with one preoperative scintigraphy, a combined method for sentinel node detection, an intraoperative pathological analysis without lymphadenectomy, was lower than the cost generated for a patient with lymphadenectomy [€ 2947 (σ = 580) versus € 3331 (σ = 902); P = 0.0001].

CONCLUSION

ASLND, involving expensive techniques, was finally less expensive than ALND. The length of hospital stay was the cost driver of these procedures. The current observational study points the heterogeneous practices for this validated and largely diffused technique. Several technical choices have an impact on the cost of ASLND, as intraoperative analysis allowing to reduce rehospitalization rate for secondary lymphadenectomy or preoperative scintigraphy, suggesting possible savings on hospital resources.

Abstract PD06-10: Clinical Score for Deciding a Sentinel Node Biopsy(SNB) after Neo Adjuvant Treatment(NAC) for Breast Cancer

Rationale: Selection of the best candidates for SNB after NAC remains under discussion. A retrospective study identified predictive factors for negative axillary dissection. A score was developed to select patients at high and low risk for metastatic SNB after NAC.

Patients and methods: In 776 patients receiving NAC, clinico biologic patterns were evaluated by a multivariate logistic regression model in order to to predict the negativity of axillary dissection after surgical treatment.

A 4 class score was created using the three significant factors: Initial clinical node status, oestrogen receptors positivity and clinical response to treatment. This model was then prospectively applied tto 180 patients between 2006-8

Results: The probability of having a negative axillary dissection in patients with a score 0, 0-2 and over 2 was respectively 80%, 56% and less than 50%.

Conclusion: We developed a simple and reproducible score to predict the likelihood of having a negative axilla after NAC and consequently to better select the good candidates for SNB after NAC

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr PD06-10.

Use of radiology for the pathologist in the management of breast lesions

Today radiology is an essential step in the pathological analysis of breast biopsies. It is determinant at each stage of the management of non palpable lesions, clusters of microcalcifications and opacities, whether this concerns the needle biopsy or the surgical excision. Firstly, an X-ray is necessary to ensure that the core needle biopsy specimen has been adequately sampled and when samples with microcalcifications are selected by the radiologist, management can be more specific and accurate. In the case of surgical specimens, the X-ray confirms the presence of the radiographic abnormality or the clip indicating the site of the surgical excision which guides sampling. Some radiographic features also provide information on underlying pathologies allowing management to be adapted accordingly. Radiographs are also important to ensure that microscopically detected microcalcifications or lesions exactly correspond to the radiographic abnormality in size and location. The paraffin block can also be X-rayed to select those containing microcalcifications for additional slicing. It is also important to identify the presence of modifications caused by the core needle biopsy (fibrosis, haemorrhage and inflammation) and to carefully recognize displacement of epithelial cells and pseudo-emboli resulting from the needle procedure. Such correlation between radiology and pathology is essential so that appropriate management of the specimen can be adapted and to avoid pitfalls arising from pre-operative procedures.

Nitric oxide synthase in human breast cancer is associated with tumor grade, proliferation rate, and expression of progesterone receptors

Nitric oxide (NO) is generated by a family of isoenzymes named nitric oxide synthases (NOS) which includes a cytokine-inducible form, NOSII. NO is a free radical known to inhibit cell proliferation, to induce apoptosis, and to be a mediator of macrophage cytostatic and cytotoxic effects. We investigated NOS in 40 human breast carcinomas and 8 benign breast lesions. NOSII was localized in tumor cells by immunohistochemistry. NOS activity, measured with the citrulline assay, was detected in 27 of 40 tumors. Neither immunohistologic labeling nor NOS activity was detected in benign samples. NOS labeling and activity were significantly related (p < 0.02). For the first time, a significant negative relationship between NOS activity and tumor cell proliferation (p < 0.002) was found. We also showed that tumors with high NOS activity expressed progesterone receptors (p < 0.04). These results are consistent with the observation of high NOS activity in tumors with low grade (p < 0.05). These in vivo observations were related to in vitro data: cytokines (IL-1beta, IFN-gamma, and TNF-alpha) induced NOSII expression in human MCF-7 breast cancer cells, and NO inhibited their proliferation. Thus, we show herein that tumors with high NOS activity have low proliferation rate and low grade, which correlates with the in vitro observation of the inhibition of proliferation of human breast cancer cells by NO. These results may have future therapeutic implications.

[Neoadjuvant chemotherapy FEC-HD in locally advanced breast cancer]

The tolerance and the clinical and histological efficacy of a neoadjuvant chemotherapy FEC-HD including hematopoietic growth factors have been studied in 40 patients with stade II or III breast cancer between February 1991 and February 1997. Four courses were given, every 21 days, with 5-fluorouracil (750 mg/m2/day D1 to D4 by continuous infusion), epirubicin (35 mg/m2/day D2 to D4) and cyclophosphamide (400 mg/m2/day D2 to D4) with G-CSF (5 mug/kg/day D6 to D15). The surgery was performed 3 or 4 weeks after the end of the chemotherapy. All patients had radiotherapy. The neoadjuvant chemotherapy induced 37.5% CR, 45% PR, and 15% SD. In 40% of the patients, the surgery was conservative. An histological CR was obtained in 15% with no axillary involvement one time out of two. There was intraductal carcinoma without invasive carcinoma in 7.5%. There was no differences between the response of inflammatory and non inflammatory tumors. One hundred and fifty-eight courses have been delivered. A grade 3 or 4 leuconeutropenia, anemia and thrombopenia have been observed in respectively 34.6%, 6.3% and 8.8% of the courses. A grade 3 or 4 mucositis has been noticed in 2.5% of the courses. A febrile granulocytopenia has occurred in 3.8% of the courses. The median survival without metastatic progression was 48 months and the median overall survival was not achieved. In stade II and III breast cancer, neoadjuvant chemotherapy with FEC-HD obtains an important histological response with an acceptable toxicity. The role of the dose-intensity increase on survival remains to be determined.

Preoperative radiotherapy and surgery for endometrial carcinoma: prognostic significance of the sterilization of the specimen

INTRODUCTION

We report a retrospective study on the analysis of the operative specimen after preoperative radiotherapy for FIGO (1971) stage I or II endometrial carcinoma.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

From 1976 to 1996, 221 patients were treated with external radiotherapy (XRT) and/or low-dose-rate brachytherapy (BT) followed by surgery (S). Patients with cervical involvement (89 patients) or with high-grade tumors (49 patients) received XRT and BT. Patients stage FIGO Ia (89 patients) or with low-grade tumors (57 patients) received BT alone. Surgery was performed 5 to 6 weeks after irradiation.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up is 78 months (12-216). The 5-year survival was 90% for FIGO Ia, 80% for FIGO Ib, and 84% for FIGO II (p = 0.51). According to the differentiation, 5-year survival was 87% for grade 1, 84% for grade 2, 84% for grade 3 (p = 0.10). Grade 3 complications were registered in 2% (no grade 4). The tumors were sterilized in 37 patients (17%), sterilized but with dystrophic glands in 34 patients (16%), only modified and altered in 21 patients (9.5%), with viable cells in 56 patients (26%). After preoperative radiotherapy, 37/148 specimens were sterilized (25%), 14/74 after brachytherapy and surgery (19%), 23/74 after external radiotherapy-brachytherapy and surgery (31%). According to the response of the specimen, 5-year survival was 87% when the tumor was sterilized, 96% when altered glands were present, 85% when modified, and 76% if residual tumor with viable cells was identified (p = 0.043).

CONCLUSION

Preoperative radiotherapy followed by surgery is a safe and effective treatment of FIGO stage I or II endometrial carcinomas. BT with two uterine tubes seems to be of interest in the contribution of the treatment of the uterus to sterilize the specimen. The analysis of this new prognostic factor remains important to select a population with worst prognosis.