ObjectiveTo explore the risk factors affecting sentinel lymph node (SLN) metastasis in patients with early-stage (N0) breast cancer and establish a predictive model for SLN metastasis, so as to assist in decision-making of axillary surgery in clinical practice. MethodsThe unilateral early-stage breast cancer patients who underwent surgical treatment and SLN biopsy at the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from September 2020 to December 2023 were selected as the study subjects. The univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were adopted to analyze the relevant risk factors of SLN metastasis, then a predictive model evaluating the risk of SLN metastasis was constructed. The area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to assess the distinguishing ability of risk factors for SLN metastasis. ResultsA total of 351 patients with early-stage breast cancer patients who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled, 136 of whom with SLN metastasis, the SLN metastasis rate was 38.7%. The results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the maximum tumor diameter >2.5 cm, estrogen receptor (ER) positive, Ki-67 >20%, and vascular invasion were the risk factors affecting SLN metastasis [maximum tumor diameter: OR(95%CI)=1.897(1.186, 3.034), P=0.008; ER positive: OR(95%CI)=2.721(1.491, 4.967), P=0.001; Ki-67 >20%: OR(95%CI)=1.825(1.125, 2.960), P=0.015; vascular invasion: OR(95%CI)=2.858(1.641, 4.976), P<0.001]. The AUC for the SLN metastasis by these four factors was 0.693(0.637, 0.749), with a sensitivity and specificity of 70.59% and 57.21%, respectively. ConclusionsThe results from this study suggest that SLN biopsy is recommended to guide postoperative adjuvant treatment strategies for cN0 early-stage breast cancer patients with a maximum tumor diameter >2.5 cm, ER positivity, Ki-67>20%, and vascular invasion. However, the predictive model constructed based on these four factors in this study has a general ability to distinguish the occurrence of SLN metastasis, then the reasons can be further analyzed in the future.
ObjectiveTo explore influence of molecular classification of breast cancer on surgical treatment of axillary lymph nodes. MethodThe related literatures which discussed the relation between molecular classification and axillary lymph node metastasis were reviewed and analyzed. ResultsThe triple negative breast cancer had a lower rate of sentinel lymph node or non-sentinel lymph node metastasis. The axillary lymph node metastasis rate was higher in the luminal B or HER-2 overexpression subtypes. Especially, luminal B subtype had a higher risk of sentinel lymph node or non-sentinel lymph node metastasis as compared with the other subtypes. Elderly patients with breast conserving operation could be free for axillary lymph node dissection when only 1-2 sentinel lymph node metastases. There was still a positive possibility of non-sentinel lymph node for younger patients with a larger tumor size, even if the sentinel lymph node negative, the lymph node dissection may benefit these patients. ConclusionBreast cancer molecular classification should be considered for the surgery selection of axillary lymph node dissection.
Objective To summarize the influencing factors of central lymph node metastasis in thyroid papillary carcinoma. Method Relevant literature about papillary thyroid carcinoma were reviewed and predictive factors of central lymph node metastasis were summarized. Results Studies had shown that, male, younger age, larger tumor size, multifocal, and BRAF mutations were risk factors for central lymph node metastasis in thyroid papillary carcinoma, while tumors located in the upper pole and combined with Hashimoto disease (HT) were the protective factors for central lymph node metastasis. Conclusions The central lymph node metastasis detection rate is low, so it is unable to meet with the preoperative diagnosis in papillary thyroid carcinoma. A large number of studies have confirmed that clinical pathological features have predictive value for preoperative lymph node diagnosis, and can provide a reference for the selection of surgical methods in thyroid papillary carcinoma.
Objective To summarize and analyze the different views on the lymph node metastasis and the extent of lymphadenectomy in gastric cancer.Methods The current domestic and foreign reports on lymph node metastasis and lymphadenectomy in gastric cancer were reviewed.Results Lymph node dissection of gastric cancer is based on clinical stage and the location of the tumor. Laparoscopic-assisted gastrectomy in treatment of gastric cancer is a safe， feasible， effective， and minimally invasive technique with good outcomes for patients. Sentinel lymph node（SLN） in the clinical assessment of early gastric cancer is feasible，besides with high accuracy and sensitivity. Lymphatic mapping is an effective， easy， and safe method to guide lymphadenectomy in gastric cancer. Evidence-based lymphadenectomy in gastric cancer provide a new perspective to the extent. Conclusions It is difficult to evaluate those methods exactly. Researchers over the world should learn from each other and explore further in order to develop guiding principles in the end.
ObjectiveTo explore the causes and surgical strategies of completion thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer. Method The clinical data of 35 patients with thyroid cancer who underwent completion thyroidectomy in Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital from January 2020 to July 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. Results There were 23 females and 12 males, aged from 17 to 68 years (median 42 years). The nature of thyroid nodules in 22 patients was not determined at preoperative fine needle aspiration cytology or intraoperative frozen pathological examination, but the paraffin section examination after operation indicated thyroid cancer. Pathological examination after the first operation showed that 11 patients had a large number of lymph node metastasis in the central area (more than 5), and 2 patients were confirmed as medullary thyroid carcinoma. All the 35 patients underwent completion thyroidectomy at 5–93 days after the initial operation, among which 3 patients underwent resection of the affected side residual glandular lobe and isthmus ± ipsilateral CLN dissection, 18 patients underwent contralateral lobectomy and CLN cleaning, and 14 patients underwent contralateral lobectomy and lymph node dissection of the affected side cervical region (Ⅲ–Ⅳ region). The operative time was 45–135 min (median 105 min). Intraoperative blood loss was 10–50 mL (median 20 mL). One patient suffered from temporary recurrent laryngeal nerve injury after operation, and voice had returned to normal at 5 months after operation. Six patients showed temporary hypoparathyroidism, and serum parathyroid hormone returned to normal level in 1–3 months after symptomatic treatment. Nineteen patients were treated with iodine-131 after operation, and were followed-up for 1–16 months (median 12 months). No signs of tumor recurrence or metastasis were found. Conclusions Accurate preoperative and intraoperative evaluation of thyroid nodules and standardized surgery can reduce the incidence of completion thyroidectomy. For patients who really need completion thyroidectomy, adequate doctor-patient communication during the perioperative period, early response measures and appropriate completion thyroidectomy can reduce the probability of postoperative tumor recurrence and improve the survival of patients.
Malignant melanoma is a kind of highly malignant tumor, which mainly occurs in the skin, mucous membrane, and rarely in the breast. Here we reported a case of malignant melanoma in the chest wall skin with mammary metastasis. A sizable pigment spot on the skin of the thoracic region was found at the patient’s birth, existing for 50 years with quite atypical clinical manifestation. A nodule at 12 o’clock of the left breast was found by ultrasound four months ago, who was mistaken for a fibroadenoma. As a result, the patient received a minimally invasive excision of the breast lesion, after which the pathological report suggested malignant melanoma. By sharing this case, we aimed to discuss the diagnosis and treatment of this kind of atypical malignant melanoma in detail and provide some clinical experience.
Objective To analyze the effects of systematic lymph node dissection (SLND) and lobe-specific lymph node dissection (L-SND) on perioperative and long-term outcomes of patients with clinicalⅠA (cⅠA) stage lung adenocarcinoma. Methods A retrospective analysis was done on the patients with cⅠA stage lung adenocarcinoma who received thoracoscopic radical resection admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from January 2013 to August 2016. Propensity score matching was conducted to eliminate the biases. The recurrence-free survival was compared between the two groups after matching. Perioperative parameters and postoperative complications were also analyzed. Results A total of 725 patients were enrolled, including 252 males and 473 females, with a median age of 62.0 (31.0-69.0) years. There were 228 patients in the L-SND group and 497 patients in the SLND group. After matching, there were 211 patients in each group and no statistical difference in the incidence of postoperative complications (10.9% vs. 13.7%, P=0.374), identification of metastatic positive lymph nodes (12.3% vs. 9.0%, P=0.270), or recurrence-free survival (P=0.492) were found between two groups, whereas the operation time (163.9±39.4 min vs. 135.4±32.4 min, P＜0.001), intraoperative blood loss [100.0 (20.0-800.0) mL vs. 100.0 (10.0-400.0) mL, P＜0.001], intubation time [4.0 (1.0-18.0) d vs. 4.0 (1.0-9.0) d, P＜0.001] and hospital stay (12.3±3.3 d vs. 10.8±2.4 d, P=0.003) in the SLND group were found to be significantly higher or longer than those in the L-SND group. Conclusion L-SND has a similar efficiency to SLND in terms of postoperative complications, pathological lymph node metastasis, and recurrence-free survival, as well as significant advantages in reducing intraoperative blood loss, and shortening operation time, intubation time and length of hospital stay. Therefore, L-SND can be recommended to replace SLND as a method for lymph node resection in patients with cⅠA stage lung adenocarcinoma.
Objective To summarize the research progress on diagnostic criteria of lymph node metastasis in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), and the indication and scope of lateral cervical lymph node dissection (LCLND). Method By searching PubMed and CNKI databases, the related guidelines and literature about the diagnosis and treatment of lateral cervical lymph node metastasis in MTC in recent years were obtained and reviewed. Results The metastatic rate of lateral cervical lymph nodes in MTC patients was high. The indication of LCLND was both consensus and controversy. The LCLND of MTC was also controversial, and the focus of controversy mainly focused on the survival rate, recurrence rate, distant metastasis and postoperative complications of patients receiving prophylactic LCLND. Different imaging methods had their own advantages and disadvantages in diagnosing lymph node metastasis of MTC. Nuclear medicine was effective but expensive. Fine needle puncture was also an effective method for the diagnosis of lymph node metastasis of MTC. At present, calcitonin level, tumor size and lymph node metastasis were still important indicators for evaluating MTC for prophylactic LCLND, but the application of related indications had not been unified. Many scholars recommended comprehensive consideration of various indicators to evaluate whether MTC carried out preventive LCLND. Conclusions The LCLND of MTC needs to be further explored and standardized on the basis of the existing consensus. The focus of prophylactic LCLND should be to improve the survival rate of patients while reducing complications as much as possible.
Objective To explore the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in axillary and internal mammary lymph node metastasis of invasive breast cancer. Methods A total of 100 patients with invasive breast cancer treated from September 2020 to September 2022 were selected. Preoperative CEUS examination was completed, and the perfusion sequence, enhancement mode and enhancement sequence of lymph nodes were dynamically observed. The CEUS characteristics of metastatic and benign lymph nodes were compared. Using postoperative pathological results as the gold standard, the diagnostic efficacy of CEUS in evaluating lymph node status was analyzed. Results Among the 100 patients, 28 patients were diagnosed with metastatic axillary lymph nodes (ALN) by pathological biopsy. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive prediction rate and negative prediction rate of CEUS in evaluating ALN status were 71.4%, 87.5%, 83.0%, 69.0% and 88.7%, respectively. In 9 patients, CEUS showed internal mammary lymph node metastasis, and postoperative pathological examination confirmed that 5 patients had internal mammary lymph node metastasis, so the positive predictive rate of CEUS was 55.6%. Conclusion CEUS can evaluate the metastatic status of axillary and internal mammary lymph nodes.
ObjectiveTo summarize the current status and advances of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) technique in breast cancer. MethodsThe pertinent domestic and overseas literatures were reviewed and the localization, harvest, status assessment, indications, and complications of SLNB were analyzed. ResultsSLNB could accurately locate and pick out sentinel lymph node (SLN) in breast cancer. The development on imaging examination and pathological techniques promoted the assessment of SLN, and the indications of SLNB were expanding. The complication rate of SLNB was low and the technique could accurately predict axillary lymph node staging and direct selective axillary lymph node dissection. ConclusionsSLNB has been an important method of surgical therapy in breast cancer, but the operation process needs to be further standardized to decrease the false negative rate. Continuative attentions shall be paid to the problems such as the false positive and controversial indications.