Long-term follow-up of axillary recurrences after negative sentinel lymph node biopsy: effect on prognosis and survival

As axillary recurrence (AR) after a negative sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is rare, the prognosis of these patients is unknown. Since treatment paradigms for patients with breast cancer are shifting toward less axillary surgery, the number of ARs might increase. In this study, we evaluated primary and salvage treatment as well as long-term survival of patients diagnosed with an AR. A retrospective analysis of the cancer registry of 16 breast cancer units in the Netherlands was used to identify patients who developed an AR after a negative SLNB performed between 2002 and 2004. Using local hospital records we recorded primary patient-, tumor-, and treatment-characteristics, as well as salvage treatment. We identified 54 patients with an AR, median 30 months (range 3–79) after SLNB. Eighteen patients (33 %) were initially treated with breast conserving therapy, 15 of whom received external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). Thirty-three patients (61 %) did not receive adjuvant systemic treatment. In 45 of the 54 (83 %) patients, a salvage axillary lymph node dissection was performed showing a median of three positive nodes (range 1–24). Nine patients (17 %) were not treated surgically: three were treated with salvage EBRT and six with salvage systemic therapy only. At time of detection of the AR, a total of 7 patients (13 %) had proven distant metastases. After a median follow-up of 47 months (range 3–118), the 5-year “post-recurrence” distant metastasis free survival was 50 % and overall survival was 58 %. Significant negative predictors of survival were negative estrogen receptor (ER) status and receiving adjuvant chemotherapy at initial treatment. AR following a negative SLNB is associated with a 58 % 5-year OS. Prognostic factors are ER− primary tumor and receiving adjuvant chemotherapy as a part of initial treatment, reflecting an aggressive phenotype. Adequate regional and systemic salvage therapy constitute a chance for long-term survival after AR.