Prognostic Significance of the Number of Axillary Lymph Nodes Removed in Patients With Node-Negative Breast Cancer

• DOI: 10.1200/jco.2002.07.112
• Publication Date: 2002-07-27T13:13:48Z
• Authors: L. Weir; C. Speers; Y. D’yachkova; I. A. Olivotto
• Keywords: Systemic therapy; Axilla; Axillary lymph nodes; Lymphovascular invasion

The objective of the study was to evaluate association between number lymph nodes removed at axillary dissection and recurrence survival for patients with node-negative invasive breast cancer.Subjects were 2,278 women pathologically cancer, diagnosed from 1989 1993 in British Columbia, Canada. Women aged > or = 90 years, pure in-situ, bilateral cancer T4, N1, N2, M1 stage, who had radiation excluded. Two groups defined analysis: no systemic therapy (n 1,468) 810). Median follow-up 7.5 years. Prognostic variables assessed age diagnosis, tumor size, grade, invasion lymphatics, veins, nerves, estrogen receptor status, removed.For not receiving therapy, regional relapse significantly increased smaller numbers (P =.03). There a trend toward shorter overall fewer =.06). Node-negative received did have higher rate when recovered.Recovery small negative likely understages leads undertreatment, resulting an poorer survival. use may overcome this effect. removed, conjunction other prognostic factors, be useful selecting therapy.