ABSTRACT
@#Introduction: Occult primary breast carcinoma (OBC) manifesting as axillary nodal metastasis without an identifiable breast primary is exceptionally rare. It continues to pose a diagnostic challenge to pathologists. Here, we report a case of OBC with emphasis on the usefulness of immunohistochemistry to determine the primary site of tumour. Case Report: A 58-year-old female presented with a 3-cm painless right axillary mass. Extensive radiological investigations that include mammography, ultrasonography of the breasts and positron emission tomography (PET) scan failed to conclude the primary site of the tumour. Histological examination of the lymph node revealed loosely cohesive sheets of poorly differentiated malignant cells, without discernible glandular or squamous differentiation. Immunohistochemically, the malignant cells exhibited diffuse immunoreactivity toward pan-cytokeratin and CK7, while leukocyte common antigen, S100 and CK20 were negative. A second panel of immunomarkers was carried out. The malignant cells expressed breast-specific markers (GATA-3, GCDFP-15 and mammaglobin), and were negative for ER, PR and TTF-1 immunohistochemistry. A diagnosis of OBC was rendered. Discussion: Breast primary must always be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients with sole presentation of axillary lymphadenopathy. The breast-specific immunomarkers play a pivotal role in the diagnosis of ER, PR-negative occult breast cancer.
ABSTRACT
Postoperative adjuvant therapy for primary invasive breast cancer patients with synchronous ax-illary metastases is mainly based on the characteristics of biomarker of the primary tumor. Recently, some studies have showed the discordance and clinical significance of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status between primary breast cancer and synchronous axillary lymph node metastases. As local metastasis, the synchronous axillary metastases may represent the potentially metastatic breast cancer cells much better than the primary tumor. Hence, determination of biomarkers status should be performed in synchronous axillary metastasis, together with primary tumor, to guide therapy management and evaluate the prognosis of primary invasive breast cancer patients with synchronous axillary metastases.
ABSTRACT
Lymph node metastases to cervical group of nodes occur frequently in well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Metastasis to axillary lymph nodes however, is exceptional, leading to diagnostic and management dilemma. While presenting a case of thyroid malignancy with axillary lymph node metastasis, the literature is reviewed for similar cases to analyze their clinico-pathological features, investigations, management and outcome. Fifteen cases have been reported so far. Majority of these patients were female (male: female ratio 6:9) and their mean age was 54.5 years. Axillary lymph node metastases occurred concurrently or as recurrent disease after initial treatment of primary disease in about equal number of these patients. The predominant histological type was papillary carcinoma and 83.3% of these were poorly differentiated. Visceral metastases to lungs and bones were often seen. Despite treating these patients with thyroidectomy, lymph node clearance and adjuvant therapy, 40% of them died; some within one year and among the 60% who were alive, 30% still had active disease. Conclusion: Axillary lymph node metastasis from thyroid cancer, even though rare should be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients presenting with axillary mass and thyroid malignancy. Based on the limited number of cases reported in the literature it appears that it is generally a manifestation of the aggressive nature of this tumor with overall poor outcome.
ABSTRACT
O linfonodo sentinela é o primeiro linfonodo que recebe a drenagem linfática proveniente do câncer de mama. A sua detecção tem a finalidade de predizer o estado da axila e evitar o esvaziamento axilar nos pacientes sem comprometimento metastático. Os autores realizaram uma ampla revisão da literatura, envolvendo os aspectos cirúrgicos, de Medicina Nuclear e de Anatomia Patológica do linfonodo sentinela. Muitos estudos demonstraram a eficácia do linfonodo sentinela em predizer o comprometimento axilar. Entretanto, existem várias técnicas empregadas para a identificação desse linfonodo, sem haver ainda um consenso em relação ao método mais adequado e reproduzível. A associação do corante vital com o probe, até o presente, é a que tem apresentado os melhores resultados. Também não existe uma padronização do exame patológico intra-operatório do linfonodo sentinela e os índices de falso-negativos encontrados são bastante variáveis. A biópsia do linfonodo sentinela pode oferecer uma alternativa segura à dissecção axilar e com menos efeitos colaterais nos pacientes com axila clinicamente negativa. Entretanto alguns pontos conflitantes devem ser resolvidos antes que o método passe a ser utilizado na prática com o câncer de mama. O objetivo desse trabalho foi discutir os principais aspectos envolvidos no desenvolvimento e na aplicação dessa técnica.
The sentinel lymph node is the first in line to receive lymphatic flow from a primary site in breast cancer. The purpose of this study is to review the most recently results in the literature with this technique. This is a comprehensive review in surgical, nuclear medicine, and pathological aspects of sentinel lymph node in breast cancer. Several reports have demonstrated the accurate prediction of axillary nodal status with sentinel lymph node technique. However, a wide range of different methods and materials has been employed for lymphatic mapping. The association of vital blue and the probe seems to be the most reliable. Also, there is no consensus on the pathologic method for sentinel lymph node examination at the time of surgery. Sentinel node biopsy can offer a safe alternative to routine axillary lymph node dissection for staging patients with breast cancer. The remaining controversial issues must be resolved before sentinel lymph node biopsy becomes a widely accepted part of breast cancer care.