In:
Journal of Surgical Oncology, Wiley, Vol. 125, No. 8 ( 2022-06), p. 1218-1223
Abstract:
Given the significant benefit of targeted therapies for HER2+ breast cancer patients in both the neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings, it is critical to identify all eligible patients for these treatments. We sought to investigate cT1cN0 HER2+ patients to determine the rate of postsurgical nodal positivity, and to identify presurgical factors associated with nodal positivity. We hypothesize there is a subset of underdiagnosed HER2+ patients who would benefit from preoperative axillary imaging and inclusion in neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimens. Methods We performed a 10‐year retrospective analysis of T1 HER2+ breast cancer patients. Clinicopathologic characteristics were evaluated based on surgical nodal data. Results We identified 38 patients with cT1cN0 HER2+ cancer. Of this cohort, 24% had positive lymph nodes on final pathology. High tumor grade ( p = 0.035) on core needle biopsy and the presence of lymphovascular invasion ( p = 0.0036) were associated with an increased likelihood of lymph node positivity. The majority (66%) of lymph node positive patients were clinically T1c. Conclusions We identified a 24% nodal positivity rate in clinically node negative T1 HER2+ breast cancer patients. In particular, HER2+ patients with high‐grade T1c cancers should undergo preoperative diagnostic axillary imaging to expand potential benefit from targeted therapies.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0022-4790
,
1096-9098
Language:
English
Publisher:
Wiley
Publication Date:
2022
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1475314-5