Number of lymph nodes removed in sentinel lymph node-negative breast cancer patients is significantly related to patient age and tumor size: a new source of bias in morbidity assessment?

Background: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy has been well-established for axillary lymph node staging for patients with breast cancer. For lymph node-negative patients, planned "backup" axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) is rarely indicated. Among patients with negative SLNs, the authors observed variation by tumor size and patient age in the total number of lymph nodes removed (SLNs plus non-SLNs).

Fluvastatin reduces proliferation and increases apoptosis in women with high grade breast cancer.

The purpose of this study is to determine the biologic impact of short-term lipophilic statin exposure on in situ and invasive breast cancer through paired tissue, blood and imaging-based biomarkers. A perioperative window trial of fluvastatin was conducted in women with a diagnosis of DCIS or stage 1 breast cancer. Patients were randomized to high dose (80 mg/day) or low dose (20 mg/day) fluvastatin for 3-6 weeks before surgery.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy is successful and accurate in male breast carcinoma.

Background: Men and women with breast cancer have similar risks of morbidity related to axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy minimizes this risk. We report results from the largest series of SLN biopsies for male breast cancer and compare this experience with that of female counterparts treated concurrently.

Reoperative sentinel lymph node biopsy: a new frontier in the management of ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence.

Background: Breast conservation therapy (BCT) with sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is a well-established standard of care for primary operable breast cancer; 5-10% of BCT patients will develop local recurrence (LR). The question then arises: How best to manage the axilla in the setting of LR after previous BCT and SLN biopsy or axillary dissection (ALND)?

Methods: Between 9/96 and 12/04, 117 reoperative SLN were performed for LR after BCT and either SLN biopsy or ALND more than 6 months previously. Because of wide variation in the number of nodes removed at the initial procedure, validation by backup ALND was not feasible in all cases.

Results of MRI screening for breast cancer in high-risk patients with LCIS and atypical hyperplasia.

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can detect breast cancer in high-risk patients, but is associated with a significant false-positive rate resulting in unnecessary breast biopsies. More data are needed to define the role of MRI screening for specific high-risk groups. We describe our experience with MRI screening in patients with atypical hyperplasia (AH) and lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS).

18F-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography scanning affects surgical management in selected patients with high-risk, operable breast carcinoma.

Background: The role of positron emission tomography (PET) scanning in determining the extent of disease in patients with breast cancer has not been defined. We investigated the utility of (18)F-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D: -glucose (FDG)-PET scanning compared with conventional imaging with computed tomographic scanning and bone scanning in determining the extent of disease in patients with high-risk, operable breast cancer.

Methods: This was a prospective study of patients who presented to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center for operative treatment of breast cancer.

A prospective analysis of the effect of blue-dye volume on sentinel lymph node mapping success and incidence of allergic reaction in patients with breast cancer.

Background: This study examined whether the volume of isosulfan blue dye used in sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping in breast cancer is related to the SLN identification rate or to the incidence of allergic reactions.

Methods: From January 2001 to November 2002, 1728 breast cancer patients underwent 1832 SLN mapping procedures with the combined technique of intraparenchymal blue dye and intradermal radioisotope. Details of each procedure and all allergic reactions were prospectively recorded.

Reoperative sentinel lymph node biopsy: a new option for patients with primary or locally recurrent breast carcinoma.

Background: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is a new standard of care for axillary node staging in patients with primary operable breast cancer. An increasing proportion of these patients undergo breast-conserving surgery, and 10% to 15% will develop local relapse requiring reoperation. Although previous breast or axillary surgery is often considered a contraindication to SLN biopsy, few data support this position.