Altan E, Altundag K
Department of Medical Oncology, Hacettepe University Institute of Oncology, Ankara, Turkey.
J BUON. 2011 Jul-Sep;16(3):434-6.
Occult breast cancer is defined as axillary metastasis without clinically and/or radiologically evident primary tumor. In female patients presenting with isolated axillary nodes with adenocarcinoma, the most likely primary cancer is an invasive breast carcinoma. Herein we present our experience over this issue, together with a brief review of the literature about this clinically challenging condition.
We retrospectively analyzed 1215 consecutive breast cancer patients treated at our clinic between 2004- 2010. Four of these patients presented with axillary nodal metastasis without clinical and radiological evidence of a primary breast tumor.
The incidence of occult breast cancer in our clinic was 0.32%. Median follow-up was 8 months. All patients were alive and remained free of disease at the end of the follow-up period.
The prognostic factors for occult breast carcinoma are similar to that of its overt counterpart. The number of axillary lymph node involved and the hormone receptor status are considered significant prognostic predictors. Further studies with randomization and longer followup are needed for the establishment of a safe management plan.
隐匿性乳腺癌定义为无临床和/或放射学可见原发性肿瘤的腋窝转移。在表现为孤立性腋窝淋巴结腺癌的女性患者中，最可能的原发性癌症是浸润性乳腺癌。在此，我们介绍我们在这个问题上的经验，并简要回顾关于这种具有临床挑战性疾病的文献。
我们回顾性分析了2004年至2010年间在我们诊所接受治疗的1215例连续乳腺癌患者。其中4例患者出现腋窝淋巴结转移，但无原发性乳腺肿瘤的临床和放射学证据。
我们诊所隐匿性乳腺癌的发病率为0.32%。中位随访时间为8个月。所有患者在随访期末均存活且无疾病复发。
隐匿性乳腺癌的预后因素与其显性对应物相似。腋窝淋巴结受累数目和激素受体状态被认为是重要的预后预测指标。需要进行随机化和更长随访时间的进一步研究，以制定安全的管理方案。
