Synthetic Control Method for Dutch Policy Evaluation.

We apply the synthetic control method to a case study of the Dutch State Treasury Agency's funding policy. We study empirically what effect a change in funding strategy by the Dutch treasury had on market conditions. First, our results suggest that introducing more uncertainty to the funding policy, by means of a target range for capital market issuances, does not lead to a higher risk premium on Dutch government debt.

Predicting the extent of nodal involvement for node positive breast cancer patients: Development and validation of a novel tool.

Background: This study aimed to develop an easy to use prediction model to predict the risk of having a total of 1 to 2, ≥3, or ≥4 positive axillary lymph nodes (LNs), for patients with sentinel lymph node (SLN) positive breast cancer.

Methods: Data of 911 SLN positive breast cancer patients were used for model development. The model was validated externally in an independent population of 180 patients with SLN positive breast cancer.

Non-visualized sentinel nodes in breast cancer patients; prevalence, risk factors, and prognosis.

Background: Evidence and consensus is lacking in international guidelines regarding axillary treatment recommendations for patients in whom a sentinel lymph node (SLN) cannot be visualized (non-vSLN) during the sentinel node procedure. In this study we aimed to determine the prevalence of non-vSLNs in a Dutch population of breast cancer patients and to examine predictors and survival rate for non-vSLN.

Methods: A nationwide, retrospective, population-based study was performed including 116,920 patients with invasive breast cancer who underwent a SLN procedure in the Netherlands between January 2005 and December 2013.

Different outcome in node-positive breast cancer patients found by axillary ultrasound or sentinel node procedure.

Background: The Z0011 trial initiated a paradigm shift in the axillary treatment of breast cancer patients with a positive sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB), disregarding patients with a positive ultrasound-guided lymph node biopsy (UGLNB). We examined whether relevant differences exist between these patients to determine if the conclusions of the ACOSOG Z0011 trial are applicable to UGLNB-positive patients.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in the Netherlands between January 2008 and December 2014 were selected from the Netherlands Cancer Registry.

What to Do with Non-visualized Sentinel Nodes? A Dutch Nationwide Survey Study.

Introduction: International guidelines differ regarding their recommendations on axillary treatment of patients with non-visualized sentinel lymph nodes (non-vSLN). Therefore, we distributed a survey among Dutch oncological surgeons to determine their routine practice and opinion regarding axillary treatment in case of a non-vSLN, with the emphasis on whether these practices and opinions have changed since publication of the Z0011 trial.

Methods: A Dutch nationwide survey containing 10 questions regarding clinical routine during the sentinel node procedure and axillary treatment of non-vSLN patients was distributed among 510 oncological surgeons.