Influence of the number of removed axillary lymph nodes on the prognosis of node-negative primary breast cancer / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the relationship between the number of removed axillary lymph nodes and prognosis of axillary node-negative breast cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinicopathological data of 655 patients with breast cancer were analyzed retrospectively. The disease-free survival curves were generated according to the number of removed axillary lymph nodes using Kaplan-Meier plots. The correlation between the co-variables and rate of breast cancer-related events was analyzed using Cox model.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The overall five year-disease free survival rate of the 655 cases was 94.4%. The rate of patients with lymph node number ≤ 12 was 90.3%, and that of lymph node number > 12 was 96.5%, with a statistically significant difference (P = 0.009). Significantly less breast cancer-related events were observed in patients with lymph node number > 12 (15/426, 3.5%) than that in patients with lymph node number ≤ 12 (22/229, 9.6%) (P = 0.009).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>When axillary node dissection is indicated, dissection of lymph nodes >12 leads to much less breast cancer-related events than that in patients with dissected lymph node ≤ 12. The more lymph nodes are dissected, the more accurate prognosis can be estimated.</p>

Expression of CD133, PAX2, ESA, and GPR30 in invasive ductal breast carcinomas / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Biomarkers in breast neoplasms provide invaluable information regarding prognosis and help determining the optimal treatment. We have examined the possible correlation between cancer stem cell (CSC)-like markers (CD133, paired box gene 2 protein (PAX2), epithelial specific antigen (ESA)), and a new membrane estrogen receptor (G-protein coupled receptor 30 (GPR30)) in invasive ductal breast carcinomas with known clinicopathological parameters, tumor recurrence, and expression of some known biomarkers.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In 74 invasive ductal breast carcinomas, we investigated the protein expression of these molecular markers by immunohistochemistry, and their associations with known clinicopathological parameters, tumor recurrence, and expression of some known biomarkers. We studied the interrelationship between the expressions of these proteins.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>CD133, a putative CSC marker, was positively related to tumor size, tumor stage, and lymph node metastasis. PAX2 was negatively correlated with tumor recurrence. ESA, one of the breast CSC markers, was an indicator of tumor recurrence. GPR30 was associated with hormone receptors. Despite the correlation between GPR30 and the nuclear estrogen receptor, the expression was dependent. Positive staining of GPR30 in tumors displayed a significant association with high C-erbB2 expression and a tendency for tumor recurrence. A positive relationship between GPR30 and CD133 existed.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Detecting the expression of CD133, PAX2, ESA, and GPR30 in invasive ductal breast carcinomas may be of help in more accurately predicting the aggressive properties of breast cancer and determining the optimal treatment.</p>

Clinical evaluation of full-field digital mammography and breast imaging reporting and data system on breast diseases / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the values of full-field digital mammography (FFDM) and breast imaging reporting and data system (BI-RADS) on breast diseases.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eight hundreds and thirty-one patients with 871 focuses were analyzed who underwent imaging examinations with FFDM before operation during January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2005. All patients received operation and had identified pathological diagnosis including breast cancer, breast fibroma, intraductal papilloma and breast disease. The radiological diagnosis followed BI-RADS suggested by American College of Radiology.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The imaging diagnostic sensitivity of overall focuses was 80.9%, the specificity was 90.0%, the positive predictive value was 88.4%, the negative predictive value was 83.3% and the diagnose accuracy was 85.5%. Two hundreds and sixty cases (97.7%) were pathological diagnosed breast cancer in BI-RADS category V, 67.8% (82/121) in BI-RADS category IV and 16.7% (81/484) in BI-RADS category I-III.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>When the radiological diagnosis is BI-RADS category V, surgery biopsy is the option. To category IV focuses, surgery biopsy or stereotactic vacuum-assisted biopsy should be suggested. As to category I-III focuses, the management should be prudent, and other factors should be considered including the social and economic factors.</p>

Performance of 18F-FDG PET/CT in the detection of primary breast cancer and staging of the regional lymph nodes / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the performance of 18F-FDG PET/CT in the detection of primary breast cancer, and the staging of regional lymph nodes.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty four females with highly suspected breast cancer, underwent PET/CT imaging of the breast preoperatively. All the patients received no treatment at admission. Three nuclear medicine physicians analyzed the image and made the diagnosis. 32 breast lesions were evaluated by histology, revealing 25 breast carcinomas and 7 benign pathological changes. 23 patients had histological diagnosis of the breast tumor and regional lymph nodes.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>20 of 25 breast carcinomas were successfully diagnosed by FDG-PET/CT. The sensitivity was 80% and specificity was 71.4%. No Tis breast carcinoma was detected. 75.0% of T1 breast carcinomas were detected, and with 85.7% of stage T2, 100.0% of T3. 10 patients were proved to have lymph node metastasis, and PET/CT got a sensitivity of 60.0%. As to a suspicious distant metastasis, PET/CT convinced the diagnosis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>As a noninvasive technique, FDG PET/CT appears to be a useful method in staging patient with breast cancer, especially in cases in which the lesion is hard to predict by routine examination. But the accuracy of FDG PET/CT seems to be not high enough to identify patients who might avoid axillary lymph nodes dissection. In the detection of breast lesions, PET/CT doesn't seem to have a high sensitivity, especially in early stage breast cancers. The high cost and the space resolution limit its use as a routine diagnostic method of breast cancer.</p>

Research on the association between different levels of serum iron and essential hypertension / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the relationship between serum iron(SI) and essential hypertension (EHT) based on population-based samples.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using clustering multistage sampling method, all the people above 18 years old in the target population were investigated. Blood pressure was measured and the questionnaire was used to find out related factors. Five milliliters fast vein blood were drawn and the serum were used for testing on serum iron (SI) and other elements such as blood sugar, cholesterol (CHOL), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein(HDL-C), low density lipoprotein (LDL-C), serum sodium, serum potassium, serum calcium etc. A case control study was carried out with EHT patients from the selected population as case group, and the other healthy peoples as controls. Database was created by Fox Pro and SPSS 10.0 was used for statistical analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The concentrations of SI, with (17.75 +/- 7.66) micromol/ L in EHT group and (17.23 +/- 7.83) micromol/L in control group, showed statistical difference (P < 0.05) between the two groups. The concentrations of SI also showed statistical difference (P < 0.05) between the high DBP and normal group with the average level as (17.84 +/- 7.58) micromol/L in high DBP group and (17.26 +/- 7.85) micromol/L in normal group. Data from monovariate analysis showed that the increase of SI was a risk factor for EHT, DBP and SBP. By multivariate analysis for EHT, while SI still existed in the model (OR = 1.296, 95% CI: 1.057-1.590), but for SBP the results almost remained the same (OR = 1.285, 95% CI:1.102-1.498).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Data from the results showed that SI was probably a risk factor for EHT.</p>

The epidemiological survey of prevalence rate of hypertension in the countryside of Zhangwu county, Liaoning province / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the prevalence state of essential hypertension in the countryside of Zhangwu county, Liaoning province to confirm whether this county is the high prevalence region of essential hypertension.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Five thousand, two hundred and eight 15-year olds or older were sampled by means of whole population random sampling. Blood pressure was measured and the related risk factors were investigated with the uniform questionnaire. SPSS 10.0 of statistical software was used for data analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The standardized prevalence rate of hypertension was 35.0% at this region, 40.0% in male, 32.0% in female. The prevalence rates of hypertension were increased with the increasing of the age in both males and females. There were significant statistically differences in the prevalence rates of hypertension between the different age groups, different countrysides and different villages. The standardized prevalence rate of hypertension were 43.0% the highest and 29.0% lowest respectively in the countryside, with prevalence rates, were 59.4% highest and 26.9% lowest respectively in the village. In all the patients with hypertension, 72.0% having hypertension II, III.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The countryside of Zhangwu county was a high prevalence region of essential hypertension which was unusual in our country. The reason of this status was still unknown which called for further study.</p>