Isolated Tumor Cells and Micrometastases in Breast Cancer

Disease-free survival was diminished in patients with ITCs or micrometastases who did not receive systemic adjuvant therapy.

The association between breast cancer outcomes and presence of isolated tumor cells (ITCs) or micrometastases in regional lymph nodes is unknown. To examine this issue, investigators in the Netherlands conducted a retrospective analysis of 995 node-positive patients (with ITCs or micrometastases) who had received treatment (systemic adjuvant therapy), 856 node-positive patients who had not received treatment, and 856 node-negative patients who had not received treatment.

At median follow-up of 5.1 years, 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates were lower both in patients with ITCs and in those with metastases who did not receive treatment than in those with node-negative disease (77.2% and 75.9%, respectively, vs. 85.7%; P<0.001). Results w…

Reviewing Author

Henry Mark Kuerer, MD, PhD, FACS

Disclosures

Speaker's BureauPhysicians’ Education Resource, LLC

RoyaltiesMcGraw-Hill Professional; UpToDate, Inc.

Editorial BoardsAnnals of Surgical Oncology

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Breast Surgeons (Chair, Publications Committee)