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At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed2002

Extraction and analysis of carcinoembryonic antigen in lymph nodes: a new approach to the diagnosis of lymph node metastasis of colorectal cancer.

PURPOSE: To detect lymph node metastasis of colorectal cancer, we extracted protein from lymph nodes and determined the concentration of carcinoembryonic antigen. METHODS: In Experiment 1, a total of 237 lymph nodes from 23 colorectal cancer patients were examined histologically after immersion in 200 microl of saline for 2 hours. Concentrations of protein and carcinoembryonic antigen in each saline sample were determined by protein assay and immunoradiometric assay, respectively. Each value of carcinoembryonic antigen in the saline was divided by extracted protein, and the carcinoembryonic antigen levels in lymph nodes were represented as nanograms per milligram of protein. In Experiment 2, 63 lymph nodes from 8 colorectal cancer patients were cut into 2 pieces and immersed in 1 ml of saline for 15 minutes, and they were subjected to reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction for carcinoembryonic antigen and histologic examination, respectively, after measurement of the carcinoembryonic antigen concentration in the extract. RESULTS: From 236 of 237 lymph nodes in Experiment 1, an average of 3,249.4 microg/ml protein was successfully extracted. Histologic examination revealed that 33 of 236 lymph nodes had colorectal cancer metastases, with a significantly higher concentration of carcinoembryonic antigen on average (655.5 ng/mg protein) than in the 203 lymph nodes without metastasis (18.2 ng/mg protein; P < 0.0001). In Experiment 2, 19 of 63 lymph nodes examined were positive for metastasis in both reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and histology and showed a significantly higher carcinoembryonic antigen concentration on average (1,003.9 ng/mg protein) than the 42 lymph nodes that demonstrated no metastasis by either method (18.0 ng/mg protein; P < 0.0001). The remaining two lymph nodes, which were positive by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction but negative by histology, showed high carcinoembryonic antigen concentrations of 514.7 and 61,970.5 ng/mg protein, respectively. CONCLUSION: This simple method of protein extraction and determination of carcinoembryonic antigen concentration in lymph nodes may provide an alternative tool for the diagnosis of colorectal cancer metastasis.

Carcinoembryonic Antigen↗
PubMed2005

Node-related factors and survival in node-positive breast carcinomas.

The number of positive lymph nodes (+LNs) is the only node-related prognostic factor recognized by the American Joint Committee TNM system for breast cancer. In this study, we evaluated additional node-related prognostic factors in node-positive breast carcinomas. One hundred and thirty-four patients with infiltrating ductal carcinomas and axillary +LNs, who had been treated with modified radical mastectomy, were analyzed. Metastatic lymph nodes were evaluated for traditional prognostic factors, i.e., the number of involved nodes and the extranodal extension, but also for a variety of other node-related characteristics, such as nodal tumor burden and maximum size of tumor deposits, necrosis, stromatogenesis, extranodal vascular involvement, and nodal matting. The results reaffirmed the prognostic significance of metastasis in 1-3 vs. 4-7 axillary lymph nodes and, in addition, revealed the importance of 4 +LNs as a cut-off point for breast tumor aggressiveness, given that survival curves for 4-7 vs. >7 +LNs were indifferent. Interestingly, nodal tumor burden, when extensive, was statistically an adverse prognostic factor. Prognosis was equally poor if metastases to regional nodes showed extensive nodal necrosis or extensive nodal stromatogenesis, if there was extranodal spread, extranodal vascular involvement, or if the axillary +LNs were matted. In multivariate analysis, intranodal necrosis and extranodal vascular involvement were the only node-related features with a significant and independent prognostic function. Node-related pathological features in node-positive breast carcinomas are important in determining prognosis. Intranodal necrosis and extranodal tumor emboli should be considered, in parallel with the number of +LNs, in subsequent treatment design.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed1999

Detection of melanoma micrometastasis in sentinel nodes by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction correlates with tumor thickness and is predictive of micrometastatic disease in the lymph node basin.

The sentinel node has been reported to be representative for the presence or absence of metastatic melanoma in the draining lymph node basin. In this study, for the first time sentinel nodes and adjoining nonsentinel nodes were analyzed for micrometastatic disease using tyrosinase reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in comparison with standard immunohistochemistry. Successful identification of the sentinel nodes using a gamma probe-guided surgery was achieved in 73 (92%) of 79 patients with cutaneous stage I and II melanoma (tumor thickness > or =0.75 mm). A total of 794 regional lymph nodes, 148 sentinel nodes, and 646 adjoining nonsentinel nodes were evaluated. Tyrosinase RT-PCR was shown to increase the sensitivity for melanoma cell detection in sentinel nodes significantly (49% positivity) as compared with immunohistochemistry using antibodies against HMB-45 antigen and S-100 protein (18% positivity). Examination of sentinel nodes was highly predictive in determining the presence of regional lymph node micrometastasis by immunohistochemistry (99%) and RT-PCR (89%). Interestingly, detection of nodal micrometastasis by RT-PCR showed a strong positive correlation with tumor thickness of primary cutaneous melanoma. These results suggest the clinical significance and emphasize the importance of tyrosinase RT-PCR for detection of melanoma micrometastasis in sentinel nodes.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Immunohistochemically demonstrated lymph node micrometastasis and prognosis in patients with otherwise node-negative hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether immunohistochemically demonstrated lymph node micrometastasis has prognostic significance in patients with histologically node-negative (pN0) hilar cholangiocarcinoma. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The clinical significance of immunohistochemically detected lymph node micrometastasis recently has been evaluated in various tumors. However, no reports have addressed this issue with regard to hilar cholangiocarcinoma. METHODS: A total of 954 lymph nodes from surgical specimens of 45 patients with histologically node-negative hilar cholangiocarcinoma who underwent macroscopically curative resection were immunostained with monoclonal antibody against cytokeratins 8 and 18. The results were examined for relationships with clinical and pathologic features and with patient survival. RESULTS: Lymph node micrometastases were detected immunohistochemically in 11 (24.4%) of the 45 patients, being found in 13 (1.4%) of 954 lymph nodes examined. Of the 13 nodal micrometastases, 11 (84.6%) were found in the N2 regional lymph node group rather than N1. Clinicopathologic features showed no associations with lymph node micrometastases. Survival curves were essentially similar between patients with and without micrometastasis. In addition, the grade of micrometastasis showed no effect on survival. The Cox proportional hazard model identified microscopic venous invasion, microscopic resection margin status, and histologic differentiation as significant prognostic factors in patients with pN0 disease. CONCLUSIONS: Lymph node micrometastasis has no survival impact in patients with otherwise node-negative hilar cholangiocarcinoma. The authors do not recommend extensive lymph node sectioning with keratin immunostaining for prognostic evaluation.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

The influence of the lymph node on the protein concentration of efferent lymph leaving the node.

1. Experiments have been performed in sheep to determine the contribution of lymph formed within a lymph node to the total protein output in lymph leaving the node. 2. The lymphatic duct leaving the popliteal lymph node was cannulated and the protein and lymphocyte output in efferent lymph determined. The afferent lymph flow to the popliteal node was then diverted and lymph formed only within the lymph node collected from the efferent cannula. It appeared from the results that the popliteal lymph node forms lymph at the rate of approximately 1 ml. per hour and may contribute 30-50% of the protein output observed in efferent lymph. 3. The importance of lymph formation within the lymph node varied between nodes found in different regions of the body. This was due in part to the different protein concentrations in the afferent lymph to the different nodes. 4. A positive correlation was found between the protein and lymphocyte concentrations in efferent lymph from the popliteal lymph node in seven out of eleven sheep and in lymph formed within the popliteal lymph node in two out of three sheep. It is suggested that this relationship may be due to an increased transfer of plasma proteins through the post-capillary venules in the lymph node accompanying the continual traffic of lymphocytes across the wall of these vessels. The results indicated that the protein transfer across the post-capillary venules was not an indiscriminate transfer of plasma per se but a selective transport from the blood plasma compartment based on molecular size.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

New application of direct sinus node recordings in man: assessment of sinus node recovery time.

Sinus node recovery time (SNRT) is frequently used to assess sinus node function in patients with suspected sick sinus syndrome (SSS). Although SNRT is assumed to reflect sinus node automaticity, this assumption remains unproven. The purpose of this study was (1) to test the hypothesis that SNRT in patients with and without SSS reflects sinus node automaticity, and (2) to assess the role of sinoatrial conduction time in the measurement of SNRT. A total of 16 patients (mean +/- SD age 63 +/- 9 years), seven of which had SSS, form the basis of this report. An electrogram of the sinus node was obtained for each of the 16 patients, and overdrive pacing was performed in each at cycle lengths of 1000 to 300 msec. SNRT was measured (1) on the sinus node electrogram (direct method, measuring SNRTd) as the interval from the last pacing stimulus artifact to the onset of the upstroke slope of first postpacing sinus beat and (2) on the high right atrial electrogram (indirect method, measuring SNRTi). Results were as follows: (1) The longest SNRTd was significantly shorter than the longest SNRTi (989 +/- 304 vs 1309 +/- 356 msec, p less than .001). (2) For the first postpacing sinus beat there was a significant prolongation of sinoatrial conduction time as compared with that for sinus beats before pacing (319 +/- 152 vs 99 +/- 35 msec, p less than .001). Sinoatrial conduction time normalized within 3.6 +/- 0.96 postpacing sinus beats. (3) At the pacing cycle length that resulted in the longest recovery time, sinus node depression was seen in 56% of patients, sinus node acceleration was noted in 26%, and no appreciable change in sinus node automaticity was observed in 19%. (4) Sinoatrial conduction time for the sinus beat before pacing and that for the first postpacing beat was longer in patients with SSS when compared with in patients without SSS. (5) In patients with SSS the abnormal SNRTi, when corrected for the degree of prolongation of sinoatrial conduction time for the first postpacing beat, became normal in five of six patients. We conclude that (1) SNRTi reflects both sinus node automaticity and sinoatrial conduction time, whereas SNRTd reflects sinus node automaticity, (2) overdrive atrial pacing results in marked prolongation of sinoatrial conduction time for the first postpacing beat, which is longer in patients with SSS when compared with in those without SSS, and (3) in patients with SSS the inference of abnormal sinus node automaticity on the basis of a prolonged corrected SNRTi is usually incorrect.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Atrioventricular node reentry with 'smooth' AV node function curves: a different arrhythmia substrate?

BACKGROUND: Some patients with otherwise typical AV node reentry do not manifest discontinuous AV node function curves. We examined the effects of an ablation in the slow-pathway region in patients with smooth AV node function curves. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifteen patients with AV node reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) and discontinuous AV node function curves were compared with 15 patients with AVNRT and smooth AV node function curves. In the group with discontinuous curve, the "net" anterograde effective refractory period (AERP) of the AV node increased (270 +/- 28 versus 304 +/- 37 ms, P = .03) and AERP of the remaining fast pathway decreased (367 +/- 100 versus 304 +/- 37 ms, P = .026) after the ablation. In the group with a smooth curve, the AERP of the AV node increased (266 +/- 42 versus 299 +/- 76 ms, P = .07) and the anterograde Wenckebach cycle length increased (336 +/- 66 versus 379 +/- 86 ms, P = .008) after the ablation. Retrograde conduction over the AV node was similar in both groups and was unchanged after ablation. The longest attainable AH interval (AHmax) measured during atrial extrastimulus testing was more prolonged in patients with a discontinuous curve than in patients with a smooth curve (326 +/- 48 versus 250 +/- 70 ms, P = .002). The AHmax shortened in both groups after ablation (326 +/- 48 versus 173 +/- 34 ms, P < .0001, and 250 +/- 70 versus 179 +/ 34 ms, P < .0003, respectively) and were similar. Successful ablation in the slow-pathway zone in patients with a smooth AV node function curve resulted in the loss of the "tail" of the curve representing the slow pathway. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the smooth AV node function curve consists of two distinct components representing both fast and slow AV node pathways even when the typical discontinuity is absent.

Atrioventricular Node↗
PubMedDate not supplied

First drainage lymph node(s) in gastric cancer: analysis of the topographical pattern of lymph node metastasis in patients with pN-1 stage tumors.

BACKGROUND: We attempted to identify the first lymph node(s) involved in metastasis of gastric cancer by studying the topographical pattern of metastasis to regional lymph nodes in patients with pN-1 stage tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 190 patients (108 males and 82 females; age range, 27 to 83 years; mean, 59.7 years), who had undergone curative resection combined with lymphadenectomy for solitary carcinoma of the stomach and were histologically diagnosed as having pN-1 stage tumors, were enrolled in the present study. The topographical patterns of metastasis to regional lymph nodes were reviewed from the pathology records of these patients. RESULTS: A total of 7561 lymph nodes (mean, 39.8/patient; range 15-99/patient) were dissected and metastasis was histologically observed in 523 nodes (6.9%, mean, 2.7/patient). Although perigastric lymph nodes were a common site of metastasis, the distribution of positive nodes depended on tumor location. As the number of positive nodes increased, a more diffuse pattern of regional involvement was noted. Skip metastasis was identified in 10 (5%) out of 190 patients. This unusual pattern of metastasis was found in 9 (14%) out of 63 patients with single positive nodes, while only one (1%) out of 127 patients with 2-6 positive nodes exhibited this pattern of metastasis. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Although perigastric lymph nodes are important first sites of drainage from pN-1 stage gastric tumors, the pattern of lymph node metastasis varies widely within a regional area even in pN-1 stage patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Pelvic lymph node metastases in cervical cancer: comparison of lymphography, inspection, radiography, and histologic examination of lymph nodes.

Lymphangiography is commonly performed in the pretreatment evaluation of patients with cervical carcinoma, but its value is controversial. The purpose of this report is to determine the reliability of lymphography in the indication of metastatic pelvic lymph nodes by comparing data from preoperative lymphangiography, inspection of lymph nodes during laparotomy, radiography of surgically removed lymph nodes, and postoperative histologic report. Twenty-one patients (mean age 51.1 years, SD 14.5) with cervical cancer FIGO stages I b to II b were enrolled in this study. They all underwent Wertheim's radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy. With reference to histologic report this series included 8 squamous carcinomas (38%), 10 adenocarcinomas (48%) and 3 sarcomas (14%). Seven patients (33%) had a positive preoperative lymphangiography, in 9 patients (43%) lymph nodes were considered positive at the inspection during laparotomy, postoperative radiography of the lymph nodes was considered probably positive in 7 patients (33%) and positive in 2 patients (10%), histologic report was positive for lymphonodal metastases in 4 patients (19%). A total of 335 lymph nodes were studied, and with reference to the evaluated methods (lymphangiography, inspection, radiography, histology), 1 positive method was found in 40 lymph nodes (12%), 2 positive methods in 6 lymph nodes (2%), 3 or 4 positive methods in none of the lymph, nodes, and 4 negative methods in 289 lymph nodes (86%). Histologic report was positive in 4 lymph nodes (1%). Lymphangiography in the pretreatment evaluation in cases of cervical carcinoma is not reliable in indicating possible metastatic lymph nodes. It remains a useful exam fixation to be routinely performed.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Decision-making for lymph node excision in surgery of thyroid cancer. Extemporaneous examination of the external supraclavicular lymph nodes].

UNLABELLED: Modified neck dissection (MND) is not recommended for surgery of thyroid carcinoma (TC) in the absence of grossly involved nodes, except for medullary thyroid carcinoma, and clinical node recurrence in uncommon at follow-up (3% for us). But several authors report metastatic cancer in non-palpable nodes up to 70% on MND specimens. The fear of overlooking occult metastatic nodes prompted us to sample even normal appearing nodes and to rely on frozen sections (FS) to make a decision whether or not a MND should be done. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 130 among 300 consecutive patients operated for TC were submitted to supraclavicular node sampling with FS. All pathological varieties were covered. In 170 cases, sampling was not done purposely (lack of intraoperative diagnosis of carcinoma: 75) or for other reasons (absence of obvious nodes: 77; unavailable pathologist: 14; miscellaneous: 4). All specimens were reviewed by paraffin sections (PS). RESULTS: Among the 130 patients; 25 had gross metastatic node involvement, confirmed by FS+ and PS+; 1 had grossly equivocal nodes with FS- and PS+; 104 had grossly normal nodes. In 101 (97%) this was confirmed by FS- and PS-. In 3 (3%) FS was +, leading to MND, and PS confirmed metastatic involvement in 2. All 32 specimens of routine node sampling done in 1988 have been reviewed by serial cross sections, one each millimeter (331 sections). One only disclosed one occult metastatic invasion. CONCLUSION: No more than 3% of the grossly normal supraclavicular nodes are metastatic at the time of surgery.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Carcinoma↗
PubMed2004

Axillary sentinel node and tumour-related factors associated with non-sentinel node involvement in breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: After completion of axillary dissection, many breast cancer patients with axillary sentinel nodal involvement are found to have regional disease limited to the sentinel nodes. These patients are exposed to the morbidity of axillary clearance without any expected therapeutic benefit. METHODS: Sentinel node biopsy was performed either with Patent blue dye or with a combined dye, radiocolloid and gamma-probe-guided method involving peritumoral tracer administration. For a series of 150 consecutive patients with involved axillary sentinel nodes and axillary dissection, factors associated with non-sentinel nodal involvement were analysed in a multivariate analysis based on logistic regression with the use of fractional polynomials. RESULTS: The following variables were found to be potentially associated with non-sentinel node metastases: tumour size, sentinel node metastasis size, number of examined sentinel nodes, percentage of involved sentinel nodes (the latter two were found to be significant only when in combination), and extracapsular perinodal spread. CONCLUSIONS: Isolated tumour cells and micrometastases in axillary sentinel nodes carry a low risk of non-sentinel node metastasis. The risk of metastasis to further echelon nodes is higher with macrometastases, especially if there is extracapsular growth and the proportion of involved sentinel nodes is high.

Axilla↗
PubMed2006

Extracapsular lymph node involvement in node-positive patients with adenocarcinoma of the distal esophagus or gastroesophageal junction.

In adenocarcinoma of the esophagus or gastroesophageal junction, little attention has been paid to the biologic significance of extracapsular lymph node involvement (LNI). In the present study, a consecutive series of 251 patients with lymph node dissemination were reviewed. All patients underwent esophagectomy for adenocarcinoma and were prospectively followed. A total of 1562 positive lymph nodes were reexamined. Extracapsular LNI was identified in 456 lymph nodes (29%) in 166 patients (66%). Extracapsular LNI was confined to one lymph node in 63 patients (38%). The occurrence of extracapsular LNI increased significantly with the depth of invasion, presence of positive resectable truncal nodes, number of resected nodes, number of positive nodes, and lymph node ratio. The median potential follow-up period was 58 months (range, 12-143 months). In this period, 178 patients died of recurrent disease. The pattern of recurrence was comparable between patients with and without extracapsular LNI (P = 0.938). The median survival in patients with extracapsular LNI was 15 months (95% confidence interval, 12-18 months) compared with 41 months (95% confidence interval, 19-64 months) in those without extracapsular LNI (P < 0.001). Median survival of patients with 2 or more lymph nodes was 12 months (95% confidence interval, 8-15 months). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that T-stage, extracapsular LNI, and lymph node ratio were independent prognostic factors. The presence of extracapsular LNI identifies a subgroup with a significantly worse long-term survival. Together with the T-stage and the lymph node ratio, extracapsular LNI reflects a particularly aggressive biologic behavior and has significant prognostic potential.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2001

A mathematical model of axillary lymph node involvement considering lymph node size in patients with breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Surgical sampling for assessing axillary status has not been considered as a well defined surgical procedure. We have reported that MRI is a good instrument for assessing lymph node size and identifying lymph node position. We also developed a mathematical model that takes into consideration the size of axillary lymph nodes, and retrospectively determined the number and size of the axillary lymph nodes that need to be sampled from level I-II to achieve a greater than 90% probability of metastasis detection after surgical sampling, with the future aim of using MR-axillography to assess lymph node size. METHODS: One thousand nine hundred and thirty four lymph nodes from 102 level I-II dissections performed on T1 and T2 breast cancer patients with nodal metastases were examined histologically and the greatest long-axis dimension on histologic slides was measured. RESULTS: This model permitted determination of the cutoff level necessary for an expected probability of detection of metastasis of over 90%. The cutoff level, regardless of tumor size, is a maximum of 6 nodes removed from level I-II in which the greatest long-axis measurement is greater than or equal to 6 mm. The cutoff level in patients with macrometastatic nodes is a maximum of 3 or 4 nodes in which the long-axis dimensions are greater than or equal to 9 or 7 mm, respectively, removed from level I-II. CONCLUSIONS: This model showed that surgical sampling on the basis of lymph node size might have good potential to detect lymph nodes metastases.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Prognostic significance of axillary node and infraclavicular lymph node status after mastectomy.

AIMS: The American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system for breast carcinomas has been revised. According to this revised staging system, metastasis to infraclavicular lymph nodes and number of positive axillary nodes have prognostic significance and a new stage, stage IIIC, has been introduced. The aim of this study is to investigate the association of positive axillary nodes by level and number with survival and stage migration between the old and the new stages in a large series of mastectomy patients. METHODS: Data from 1277 consecutive breast cancer patients treated by mastectomy were studied, retrospectively. Prognostic value of number of positive axillary nodes and entirely invasion of apex axillary nodes were analysed. Survival curves were generated by Kaplan-Meier method, and multivariate analysis was performed by Cox proportional hazard model. RESULTS: Five-year survival rates for metastasis to axillary level III and for stage IIIC breast cancer were 35.4 and 38.2%, respectively. Metastases to apex axillary nodes, 4-9 and 10 or more positive lymph nodes were found to be adverse and independent prognostic factors for survival in lymph node positive patients. CONCLUSION: Invasion of infraclavicular nodes and 4-9 and > or =10 positive axillary lymph nodes were independent predictors for survival in node positive breast carcinomas in this series. Patients with the new stage IIIC had the worst survival among breast cancer patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Factors predictive of having four or more positive axillary lymph nodes in patients with positive sentinel lymph nodes: implications for selection of radiation fields.

PURPOSE: The optimal design of radiation fields for patients with positive sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) who do not undergo axillary dissection is unknown. We have previously shown that modified breast tangent fields can include most axillary Level I-II lymph nodes. We have also reported that irradiation of the axillary apex/supraclavicular fossa is indicated for patients with four or more positive axillary lymph nodes. To determine the optimal arrangement for patients with positive SLNs, we studied what factors predicted for having four or more positive lymph nodes. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We reviewed the records of 339 consecutive patients with one to three positive SLNs who underwent complete axillary dissection at our institution between 1995 and 2002. We separately analyzed the outcome for those initially treated with surgery (n = 265) and those receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (n = 74). A logistic regression model was used to identify independent factors predictive for four or more positive lymph nodes. RESULTS: A total of 28 of 265 patients in the initial surgery group and 20 of 74 patients in the neoadjuvant group had four or more positive lymph nodes. In the initial surgery group, the independent factors associated with four or more positive lymph nodes were no drainage seen on lymphoscintigraphy (rate, 38%, odds ratio [OR] = 5.4, p = 0.03), more than one positive SLN (rate, 24-42%, OR = 2.9, p = 0.02), and lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI; rate, 25%, OR = 4.8, p = 0.01). Of the 106 patients without any of these factors, only 2 had four or more positive lymph nodes. For the patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, the independent factors were clinical Stage III (rate, 48%, OR = 3.1, p = 0.03), more than one positive SLN (rate, 37-67%, OR = 4.8, p = 0.03), and LVSI (rate, 62%, OR = 8.1, p = 0.02). Of the 28 patients without any of these factors, only 1 had four or more positive lymph nodes. CONCLUSION: It is reasonable to treat with modified tangents fields that include most axillary Level I-II nodes for patients with one positive SLN who do not undergo axillary dissection if drainage is seen on lymphoscintigraphy and no LVSI is present. This approach is also reasonable for patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy who have Stage II disease, no LVSI, and only one positive SLN. The remaining patients have a greater risk of having four or more positive lymph nodes, and, therefore, the high axilla/supraclavicular fossa should also be included in the radiation fields.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

The ratio of metastatic/resected lymph nodes is an independent prognostic factor in patients with node-positive pancreatic head cancer.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of nodal involvement in resected adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head. METHODS: For the period between 1980 and 2002, 96 patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer. Lymph nodes were numbered and classified into groups according to the Japan Pancreatic Society rules. Metastatic lymph nodes were identified based on hematoxylin and eosin staining. RESULTS: Sixty-four (66.7%) patients had positive lymph nodes. The median number of metastatic nodes was 2 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0-3.0) and the median ratio of metastatic/resected nodes was 9.7% (95% CI, 7.1%-14.4%). The median survival was 14.2 months (95% CI, 10.7-17.7) and was significantly higher for node-negative than node-positive patients (27.9; 95% CI, 20.9-34.9 vs. 10.6; 95% CI, 8.7-12.5; P < 0.001). The Cox proportional hazards model, including all patients, demonstrated that nodal involvement (hazard ratio [HR], 1.461; 95% CI, 1.177-12.024), moderate or poor tumor differentiation (HR, 2.330; 95% CI, 1.181-6.949), and positive resection margins (HR, 3.838; 95% CI, 1.390-10.597) were independent negative prognostic factors. If the analysis was limited to node-positive patients, lymph node ratio of more than 20% (HR, 1.364; 95% CI, 1.116-2.599), moderate or poor tumor differentiation (HR, 3.393; 95% CI, 1.041-11.061), and positive resection margins (HR, 9.400; 95% CI, 2.235-39.536) significantly correlated with a poorer survival. CONCLUSIONS: Lymph node ratio seems to be a new promising prognostic factor in patients with respectable node-positive pancreatic head cancer.

Female↗
PubMed1999

Sentinel node biopsy and selective lymph node dissection in cutaneous melanoma patients.

Sentinel node biopsy allows an accurate selection of melanoma patients to be submitted to therapeutic dissection. From February 1994 to August 1998, at the National Cancer Institute, S. Pio X Hospital in Milan and Bufalini Hospital in Cesena, 580 sentinel node biopsies were performed in 540 stage I melanoma patients (242 males; 298 females; median age 47). Primary melanoma was located in the trunk in 201 patients, in lower limbs in 242 cases, in upper limbs in 80 cases and in head and neck in 17 patients. Injection of blue dye for sentinel node identification was performed in all cases; 372 patients were submitted to preoperative lymphoscintigraphy and in 272 cases an intraoperatory probe for a radioguided biopsy was utilized. Sentinel node identification rate was 91%. Sentinel node positivity rate was 15%. Frozen sections were examined in 199 cases. Distribution of positive cases according to primary thickness is the following: <1 mm: 1%; 1-1.99 mm: 5%; 2-2.99 mm: 18% and > or =3 mm: 27%. Sentinel node appeared to be the only metastatic node in 77% of patients submitted to dissection. The adoption of preoperative lymphoscintigraphy and the intraoperative use of the gamma probe contributed substantially in S.N. identification. No complications caused by the procedure were reported. Eight patients had a regional node relapse after a negative sentinel node biopsy and were submitted to therapeutic distant dissection. Currently 513 patients are alive with no evidence of disease. Present data confirm the feasibility and safety of sentinel node technique for selection of patients to be submitted to radical node dissection and to eventual adjuvant treatments.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Lymph node metastasis and the extent of lymph node dissection for gastric cancer: report of 326 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the pattern of lymph node metastasis and the extent of lymph node dissection for gastric cancer. METHODS: 326 patients with gastric cancer admitted from 1990 to 1999 were analyzed retrospectively after D(2), D(3) or D(3) plus para-aortic lymphadenectomy (D(3) + PAL). RESULTS: The total incidence of lymph node metastasis was 69.9%; node involvement was 15.4% and 77.4% respectively for early gastric cancer and advanced gastric cancer. Depth of invasion, tumor size and histology affected lymph node metastasis significantly (P < 0.05). For T(1) patients, node involvement was mainly confined to N(1) and one patient had N(2) metastasis; 8.1% of T(2) patients and 28.7% of T(3), T(4) patients had N(3), M(1) lymph node metastasis. Among 107 patients who received D(3) + PAL, 16a2b1 lymph node metastasis was found in 15.0%. The patients who had 16a2b1 node involvement were all suffered from advanced gastric cancer and N(1)-N(2) node metastasis. In the patients with serosal invasion-positive tumors or tumors size over 5 cm, the incidence of 16a2b1 metastasis was high, and that of entire stomach cancer was up to 38.5%. The 3-year and 5-year survival rates for D(3) + PAL group were 60.7% and 50.0% respectively. After D(3) + PAL, the 1-and 2-year survival rate, of patients with 16a2b1 metastasis were 60.0%, 50.0% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: D(2) lymphadenectomy should be taken for patients with early gastric cancer and D(3) lymphadenectomy for those with relatively early' advanced gastric cancer. For advanced gastric cancer with suspect or confirmed N(1)-N(2) node metastasis, tumor size over 5 cm and/or serosa invasion, D(3) plus para-aortic lymphadenectomy appears to be a necessary surgical procedure.

Adult↗