Profiles of Axillary Lymphadenopathy without Breast Lesions: An Analysis of 62 Patients Who Underwent Axillary Lymph Nodes Biopsies

Toshihisa Ogawa, Noriaki Hayashibara, Ei-ichi Tsuji, Mariko Oya, Keiko Kubota and Kotoe Nishioka

Department of Breast Surgery, Dokkyo Medical University, Japan
Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, University of Tokyo, Japan

^*Correspondance to: Toshihisa Ogawa 

 PDF  Full Text DOI: 10.25107/2474-1647.2005

Abstract

Background: Although axillary lymph node metastasis from breast cancer is a common disease that breast surgeons encounter, clinical and pathological characteristics of axillary lymphadenopathy without breast pathology are not fully clarified.Methods: We conducted an analysis of 62 patients who had no breast lesions radiologically and underwent axillary lymph node biopsy in our institutes between 2002 to 2015.Results: Of the 62 patients, 21 (34%) patients had benign lymph nodes including non-specific reactive lymphadenopathy, Epstein - Barr virus infection (3 patients), ectopic breast fibro adenoma (3 patients), and tuberculosis (1 patient). Of 62 patients, 41 (66%) had malignant lymphadenopathy including 24 patients of metastasis with metastasis from other organs and 17 patients with lymphomas. Of the 24 patients with metastasis, 10 patients had occult breast cancer. Lymph node diameters in lymphoma were greater than in the other disease. We should take account of lymphoma when lymph nodes are greater than 30 mm in diameter.
Conclusion: Since 66% of patients with axillary lymphadenopathy had general malignant disease, biopsy for axillary lymphadenopathy should be needed to establish pathological diagnosis and to initiate treatment for malignant disease without delay.

Keywords

Axillary lymph node; Lymphadenopathy; Biopsy

Cite the article

Ogawa T, Hayashibara N, Ei-ichi Tsuji, Oya M, Kubota K, Nishioka K. Profiles of Axillary Lymphadenopathy without Breast Lesions: An Analysis of 62 Patients Who Underwent Axillary Lymph Nodes Biopsies. Clin Surg. 2018; 3: 2005.