C. Van der Pol

“Axillary recurrences after sentinel lymph node biopsy: A multicentre analysis and follow-up of sentinel lymph node negative breast cancer patients”

INTRODUCTION The objective of this study was to conduct a multicentre data analysis to identify prognostic factors for developing an axillary recurrence (AR) after negative sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in a large cohort of breast cancer patients with long follow-up. PATIENTS AND METHODS The prospective databases from different hospitals of clinically node negative breast cancer patients operated on between, 2000 and 2002 were analyzed. SLNB was performed and pathological analysis done by local pathologists according to national guidelines. Adjuvant treatment was given according to contemporary guidelines. Multivariate analysis was performed using all available variables, a p-value of <0,05 was considered to be significant. RESULTS A total of 929 patients who did not undergo axillary lymph node dissection were identified. After a median follow up of 77 (range 1-106) months, fifteen patients developed an isolated AR (AR rate 1,6%). Multivariate analysis showed that young age (p = 0.007) and the absence of radiotherapy (p = 0.010) significantly increased the risk of developing an AR. Distant metastasis free survival (DMFS) was significantly worse for patients with an AR compared to all other breast cancer patients (p < 0,0001). CONCLUSION Even after long-term follow up, the risk of developing an AR after a negative SLN in breast cancer is low. Young age and absence of radiation therapy are highly significant factors for developing an axillary recurrence. DMFS is worse for AR patients compared to patients initially diagnosed with N0 or N1 disease.

Interventional ductoscopy in patients with pathological nipple discharge

Surgery is the intervention of choice for definitive diagnosis and treatment in women with pathological nipple discharge (PND). Ductoscopy has been reported to improve diagnosis, but as an interventional procedure it may also reduce the need for surgery. This study evaluated interventional ductoscopy in patients with PND.

Impact of preoperative evaluation of tumour grade by core needle biopsy on clinical risk assessment and patient selection for adjuvant systemic treatment in breast cancer.

Histological characteristics are important when making a decision on adjuvant systemic treatment in breast cancer. Preoperative assessments of core needle biopsy (CNB) specimens are becoming increasingly relevant as novel minimally invasive ablative techniques are introduced, because a surgical specimen is no longer obtained with these methods. The clinical impact of potential underestimation of tumour grade on preoperative CNB on clinical decision‐making was evaluated.

Abstract P3-12-23: Breast and chest wall edema during and following radiotherapy in breast cancer patients: Prevalence, risk factors and quality of life

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE Innovations in loco-regional breast cancer treatment, such as oncoplastic surgery and neoadjuvant chemotherapy, have been suggested to increase the risk of breast and chest wall edema, which may impair quality of life (QoL) during and after treatment. The objective of this study is to evaluate prevalence and risk factors of breast and chest wall edema and its effect on quality of life. METHODS We conducted this study within a prospective observational cohort of breast cancer patients indicated to undergo radiation treatment after being treated with surgery (Utrecht cohort for Multiple BREast cancer intervention studies and Long-term evaluation, UMBRELLA). At the time of inclusion all participants consented to the collection of clinical data and 9patient reported outcomes9 (PROMs) at regular intervals during and after treatment. Presence of breast and chest wall edema was registered by radiation oncologists according to CTCAE V4.0 scoring system, at weekly follow-up visits during radiation treatment, and at standard follow-up intervals after radiation treatment. When present, edema was defined as 9acute9 (i.e. breast and chest wall edema within 0-90 days after the start of radiation treatment), 9late9 (i.e. >90 days) or both. Information on potential risk factors, such as patient and tumor characteristics, and treatment (e.g. surgical procedure, RT target volumes, (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy) was collected from electronic patient files and questionnaires. We performed univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis to identify determinants that were (independently) associated with breast and chest wall edema. PROMs on quality of life and pain (i.e. EORTC QLQ-C30/BR23) were collected regularly (i.e. baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months) and compared between patients with and without edema. RESULTS We included 427 patients with at least 3 months follow-up (median follow-up 48 weeks). Sixteen percent (70/427) had acute edema, 23% (73/314) had late edema and 8% (25/314) had both acute and late edema. The proportion of women with acute edema was significantly higher in patients treated with oncoplastic surgery (31% vs. 15%, p=0.03) or mastectomy (31% vs. 14% p CONCLUSION Breast and chest wall edema is associated with reduced quality of life during the first year of treatment. Oncoplastic surgery and mastectomy increase the risk for acute edema, while oncoplastic surgery, mastectomy, axillary treatment (i.e. ALND, radiation therapy) and the presence of acute edema are associated with late edema. Early treatment of acute edema may reduce the risk for late edema, prolonged pain and impaired quality of life. Citation Format: Young-Afat DA, Verkooijen HM, Gregorowitsch ML, van Gils CH, van der Pol CC, Witkamp AJ, Burgmans I, Jonasse Y, van Vulpen M, van den Bongard DJ. Breast and chest wall edema during and following radiotherapy in breast cancer patients: Prevalence, risk factors and quality of life. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-12-23.

Axillary Recurrence after Negative Sentinel Lymphnode Biopsy; a Multicentre Cohort Study.

IntroductionSentinel Lymphnode Biopsy (SLNB) is generally excepted as a minimal invasive technique to stage the axilla in clinically node negative breast cancer patients. Though the reported clinically overt axillary recurrences after negative SLNB is low (0-2,8%), these false negative results after SLNB remain a concern in the treatment of pN0(slnb) breast cancer patients. In this respect many have investigated factors that may influence the risk of developing an axillary recurrence, either to explain the unexpected low incidence or to try to identify subgroups of patients with higher risk of developing an axillary recurrence. Downside to many of these studies is the single-centre study design, mostly presenting small numbers of patients with relatively short follow-up making it difficult to extrapolate the results to the every-day practice.We conducted this multicentre cohort study to identify prognostic factors for developing axillary recurrences after negative SLNB.Patients and MethodsProspectively collected data from seven large volume hospitals in the Netherlands were analyzed. Patients underwent surgery including SLNB between January 2000 and December 2002. Pathological work-up of the sentinel node, local and systemic treatment, and follow-up were performed according to Dutch National guidelines. Statistical analysis was performed to test homogeneity between the institutes. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify prognostic factors. A p-value of 0,2mm) and underwent Axillary Lymphnode Dissection (ALND). In the remaining 1028 patients, 986 (61,7%) were SLN negative and 42 (2,6%) patients were found to have isolated tumor cells (i.e. metastases Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 1006.

Prognostic Value of Lymphogenic Micrometastasis of Patients with Breast Carcinoma : A Multicenter Cohort Study.

Introduction: Since the introduction of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) for staging breast cancer, lymphogenic micrometastases are commonly detected. The prognostic meaning of these small lymph node metastases and the consequences regarding the indication for adjuvant systemic treatment is under debate. Currently, robust data with a long time follow up are lacking. Method: Between January 2000 and December 2002 1411 patients with a cT 1-2 N 0 breast carcinoma underwent surgery in seven hospitals in the Netherlands. Pathological examination of the sentinel node consisted of serial sectioning of SLN9s and HE 95% CI 0.58-2.39, HR 2.47; 95% CI 1.69-3.63, HR 4.36; 95% CI 2.70-7.04 respectively). Disease free survival was similar too in the pN 0 and pN 1micro group, and worse for pN 1a and pN ≥1b (HR 0.96; 95% CI 0.56-1.67 vs. HR 1.64; 95% CI 1.19-2.27, HR 2.95; CI 1.98-4.42). Distant metastases were more commonly observed in the pN 1micro group than in the pN 0 group (HR 1.22; 95% CI 0.60-2.49), but not significantly and far less than in the pN 1a and pN ≥1b group (HR 2.26; 95% CI 1.49-3.40, HR 3.49; 95% CI 2.12-5.77). Conclusion: After a relative long time of follow up disease free and overall survival for patients with micrometastasis in SLNs is comparable to patients without lymphogenic metastasis and more favourable than patients with macrometastasis. The presence of micrometastatic disease in the SLN is in itself not an indication for adjuvant systemic therapy. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 307.