Type of publication:
Conference abstract
Author(s):
*Chai A.; Walajahi F.
Citation:
Breast Cancer Research. Conference: British Society of Breast Radiology Annual Scientific Meeting 2024. Liverpool United Kingdom. 27(Supplement 1) (no pagination), 2025. Date of Publication: 01 Jun 2025.
Abstract:
Background: The cortical thickness of axillary lymph nodes has been linked to nodal metastasis, with smaller measurements associated with lower rates of metastasis. There is currently no international standard used to define a safe threshold for cortical thickness. In this analysis, we compare three proposed safe thresholds of 2.30 mm, 2.50 mm, and 3.00 mm, and observe how axillary node involvement changes between each group. Methods: Retrospective review of all known breast cancer patients who underwent node surgery in October 2023 at our center. Cortical thickness and final nodal status were collected. 91 Patients were divided into 4 groups from their cortical thickness measurements. These groups were < 2.30 mm (n = 65), 2.30-2.49 mm (n = 5), 2.50-3.00 (n = 4), and > 3.00 mm (n = 17). Results 91 patients (57.82} 11.13 years) underwent WLE or ANC. 26 (28.57%) patients were node positive at surgery. When split into their groups,12 (18.46%) patients in the < 2.30 mm group were node positive, 1 (20%) in the 2.30-2.49 mm group, 2 (50%) in the 2.50-3.00 group, and 11 (64.71%) in the > 3.00 mm group. OR = 1.97 (95%CI, 1.21-3.20) was found when using 2.30 mm as the safe threshold, OR = 2.01 (95%CI, 1.16-3.48) at 2.50 mm, and OR = 2.26 (95%CI, 1.18-4.34) at 3.00 mm. Preliminary multiple regressions were run, with thickness as both a continuous and categorical variable. As a continuous variable, cortical thickness produced OR = 2.67 (95%CI, 1.60-4.46) (p = < 0.01). The categorical model further concluded that OR = 10.05 (95%CI, 2.78-36.31) (p = < 0.01) when cortical thickness is > 3.00 mm. Discussion: Further research with more robust regressions and sample size is warranted to continue investigating the value of cortical thickness.
DOI: 10.1186/s13058-025-02023-8
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