Prognostic value of lymph node micrometastases in breast cancer: a multicenter cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

To evaluate the prognostic meaning of lymph node micrometastases in breast cancer patients.

Methods

Between January 2000 and January 2003, 1411 patients with a cT(1-2)N(0) invasive breast carcinoma underwent surgery in 7 hospitals in the Netherlands. Sentinel lymph node biopsy was done in all patients. Based on lymph node status, patients were divided into 4 groups: (p)N(0) (n = 922), (p)N(1micro) (n = 103), (p)N(1a) (n = 285), and (p)N(≥1b) (n = 101). Median follow-up was 6.4 years.

Results

At the end of follow-up, 1121 women were still alive (79.4%), 184 had died (13.0%), and 106 were lost to follow-up (7.5%). Breast cancer recurred in 244 patients: distant metastasis (n = 165), locoregional relapse (n = 83), and contralateral breast cancer (n = 44). Foll

SUBMITTER: Gobardhan PD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3087878 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature