PURPOSE: The Z0011 trial showed that axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) can be safely avoided in breast cancer patients with low nodal burden (LNB). ALND can be performed in patients with high nodal burden (HNB). We aimed to determine whether HNB in early breast cancer patients can be predicted preoperatively to avoid sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). METHODS: Early invasive breast cancer patients (cT1-2cN0) were retrospectively reviewed. We excluded patients with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and incomplete data. The patients were divided into the following groups based on surgical histology: no positive (N0), LNB, and HNB, defined as 0, 1–2, and ≥ 3 metastatic lymph nodes (LNs), respectively. Of the patients with metastatic nodal disease, only those with ALND were included in the analysis. Clinical, radiological, and histological parameters were evaluated using logistic regression analysis as predictors of HNB versus LNB and N0 combined. RESULTS: Of the 1,298 included patients, 832 (64.1%), 286 (22.0%), and 180 (13.9%) had N0, LNB, and HNB, respectively. Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that sonographic features of breast tumor size (p < 0.0001), number of abnormal LNs (p < 0.0001), cortical thickness (p = 0.0002), effacement of the fatty hilum (p < 0.0001), and needle biopsy being performed (p < 0.0001) were indicators of HNB. Breast tumor grade (p = 0.0001) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 status (p = 0.0262) were also statistically significant. Among these significant features, multivariable stepwise logistic regression showed that the number of abnormal LNs is the sole independent predictor of HNB (p < 0.0001, area under the curve = 0.774). The positive predictive value of HNB in patients with ≥ 4 abnormal LNs was 92.9%. CONCLUSION: The detection of ≥ 4 abnormal LNs on ultrasound can help to identify HNB patients who require upfront ALND and thus avoid SLNB.
Biopsy, Needle ; Breast Neoplasms ; Breast ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; Retrospective Studies ; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy ; Ultrasonography

Antitubercular Agents/therapeutic use* ; Axilla ; Humans

A 51-year-old man with no significant medical history was referred to our institution for further management of a palpable, painless right breast lump that had been gradually increasing in size for a period of six months. Physical examination revealed a firm right breast lump and bloody right nipple discharge, but no skin involvement or axillary lymphadenopathy was observed. Subsequent mammography and breast ultrasonography demonstrated a discrete, heterogeneous and vascular right breast mass with spiculated and angulated margins. The breast mass was found to be an invasive ductal carcinoma on ultrasonography-guided core needle biopsy. This case illustrates that a combination of detailed clinical history, careful physical examination and radiological assessment using mammography and breast ultrasonography may be used to identify cases suspicious for male breast carcinoma that warrant biopsy.
Biopsy, Needle ; Breast Neoplasms, Male ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Gynecomastia ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Male ; Mammography ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Ultrasonography, Doppler ; Ultrasonography, Mammary

Bone and Bones/diagnostic imaging* ; Breast/diagnostic imaging* ; Breast Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging* ; Female ; Humans

A 26-year-old woman presented with a slow-growing right breast lump. Excision biopsy of the lump showed invasive ductal carcinoma with adjacent ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Preoperative imaging was performed to assess the extent of disease. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the breasts showed an area of clustered ring enhancement deep to the biopsy site, which was representative of residual DCIS. DCIS is a common noninvasive malignancy that manifests as a primary breast tumour or in association with other lesions. The radiological features of DCIS are discussed herein, with special attention to the clustered ring enhancement pattern on MR imaging.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death around the world, being the top cause of cancer-related deaths among men and the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths among women in Singapore. Currently, no screening programme for lung cancer exists in Singapore. Since there is mounting evidence indicating a different epidemiology of lung cancer in Asian countries, including Singapore, compared to the rest of the world, a unique and adaptive approach must be taken for a screening programme to be successful at reducing mortality while maintaining cost-effectiveness and a favourable risk-benefit ratio. This review article promotes the use of low-dose computed tomography of the chest and explores the radiological challenges and future directions.