Differentiating Lymphovascular Invasion from Retraction Artifact on Histological Specimen of Breast Carcinoma and Their Implications on Prognosis.
10.4048/jbc.2012.15.4.478
- Author:
Nicholas George ZAORSKY
1
;
Ninad PATIL
;
Gary Mitchel FREEDMAN
;
Madalina TULUC
Author Information
1. Department of Radiation Oncology, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, USA.
- Publication Type:Brief Communication
- Keywords:
Breast neoplasms;
Diagnosis;
Pathology
- MeSH:
Artifacts;
Biopsy;
Breast;
Breast Neoplasms;
Embolism;
Female;
Fibrin;
Glycosaminoglycans;
Humans;
Lymphatic Vessels;
Nitriles;
Prognosis;
Pyrethrins
- From:Journal of Breast Cancer
2012;15(4):478-480
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
On a pathological specimen of breast cancer cells, retraction artifact during histological processing mimics true lymphovascular invasion (LVI). The accurate determination of the presence or absence of LVI is a factor in determining risk of having a positive sentinel node, or having additional positive axillary nodes after a positive sentinel node biopsy in women with early-stage breast cancer. The determination of nodal risk influences the decision of the treating physicians as to whether a sentinel node biopsy or completion axillary dissection is necessary. On slide preparation, ideal factors favoring true LVI include: a definite endothelial lining, with endothelial nuclei that seem to protrude into the lymphatic space; invasion in one lymphatic vessel (LV) lumen with nearby cancer glands that have minimal or no retraction; a tumor embolus in a LV clear lumen with outside nearby tumor bulk; a tumor embolus that is different in shape than its surrounding clear LV space; and a positive stain for fibrin, CD31, or CD34 on tumor embolus periphery.
