Abstract Introduction The Choosing Wisely guidelines were published to de-escalate surgical staging of the axilla in women >70 years of age with early invasive breast cancer. They advised against performing a sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in clinically node negative, ER+, HER2- breast cancer. Despite these guidelines, some surgeons continue to perform SLNB for adjuvant chemo/radiotherapy guidance in this cohort. Methods A retrospective review of 347 women >70 years of age with invasive breast cancer, who underwent a SLNB between 2014 and 2022 in a single institution was performed using the Beaumont Breast Cancer Database. Data was collected on patient and tumour characteristics, subsequent management and overall survival (OS). Results Of 347 patients included, 91(26.22%) had a positive SLNB. 49 (14.1%) patients received chemotherapy. Of the 66 patients >80 years old, 1 received chemotherapy (1.5%). Total of 13/128(10.15%) patients (aged 75-79) and 35/153(22.9%) of patients (aged 70-74) received chemotherapy. Of 272 ER+/HER2- patients, Oncotype DX was performed in 102 patients (37.5%). From those, 17 patients had a high (>25) score (16.7%) and 10 received chemotherapy (58.8%). The remaining 86 had a low score (84.3%) and 4 received chemotherapy (4.7%). Conclusion Sentinel lymph node biopsy had little influence in guiding management decisions and adjuvant therapy in patients over 80 in this study. However, we found that SLNB still had a role in patients aged 70-80 and should be used selectively in this cohort. Ongoing prospective trials will expand the increasing role of Oncotype Dx and axillary US as a replacement for SLNB.

Abstract Introduction Axillary surgery has been de-escalated in invasive breast carcinoma and may be omitted in certain age groups according to the Choosing Wisely initiative. Invasion can be found in 10-20% of patients with ductal carcinoma in-situ (DCIS). Therefore, Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is indicated to rule out nodal metastasis. Our purpose was to study the risk factors and outcome of positive SLNB. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on a series of 67 cases of patients who underwent mastectomy with SLNB for DCIS at Beaumont Hospital, Ireland, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, between 2015 and 2021. We evaluated their clinical, histopathological characteristics and regional recurrence. Results Only one invasive component was identified out of 67 cases (1.5%). Eight patients (11.9%) had positive SLN, six with isolated tumour cells, one micro-metastasis and one macro-metastasis. The three patients who proceeded for axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) presented with palpable lump, nipple discharge and through family history screening; however, all additional nodes retrieved were negative. All three patients had >5 cm high/intermediate grade disease. They were ER receptor positive and HER-2 negative. Regional recurrence was not reported in any. Conclusion This study identified a low rate of positive SLNB in DCIS and microinvasion on final histopathology. Factors which may increase the risk of positive SLNB are large tumours, palpable lump or nipple discharge. Our results indicate that ALND can be safely omitted in DCIS with positive SLNB but may be considered in high-risk patients.

Abstract Introduction LigaSure is an electrothermal bipolar vessel-sealing system shown to decrease blood loss and drainage volume compared to electrocautery in axillary node dissection. This prospective randomised controlled trial aimed to assess whether using LigaSure improved perioperative outcomes when compared with monopolar diathermy alone in performing mastectomy without axillary dissection. Methods Mastectomy was performed with the LigaSure device and compared with mastectomy using conventional monopolar diathermy in a prospective randomised trial. Patients were recruited over 39 months and were aged from 33 to 86 years of age. Block randomisation (44 in the Ligasure group and 42 in the diathermy group) was performed. The primary outcome measures include total volume in drain output (ml), time to drain volume less than 30mls in 24 hours and operating time. Results Drain output volume was measured to the day the drain yielded less than 30mls in a 24 hour period in both groups (484 mls in the monopolar group v 494 mls in Ligasure group). This time point was also used to calculate time to drain removal in both groups (Monopolar 7.2 days and Ligasure 7.3 days). Drain output volume and number or days to drain removal did not show any significant difference in both groups (p=0.05). The operative time in both groups was similar (106mins in monopolar group and 112.5 mins in LigaSure group). Conclusion Use of the LigaSure device is feasible in performing mastectomy. It is not associated with reduced drain volume or shorter operative time compared with monopolar diathermy.

Following the mass rollout of COVID-19 vaccination, regional lymphadenopathy presents as a diagnostic dilemma for clinicians. The aim of this study explores the incidence and management of unilateral axillary lymphadenopathy following vaccination at a symptomatic tertiary breast unit. This is a retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database of all patients who underwent axillary imaging for symptomatic or incidental axillary lymphadenopathy detected on imaging following COVID-19 vaccination between January 2021 – December 2021. Radiological and histological information were obtained from the hospital s NIMIS radiology and PIPE histology system. Additional patient and clinical information was obtained from patient's clinical notes. A total of 253 patients underwent axillary ultrasounds during the twelve-month interval. Of these 24 (9.4%) of patients underwent investigation for axillary lymphadenopathy related to recent COVID vaccination. Of these, 21 patients had image consistent reactive nodes while the remaining 3 patients had normal radiological investigation. Only 6 patients underwent ultrasound guided biopsy of these nodes which confirmed reactive notes. Patient and clinician education is required to raise awareness in COVID-19 related axillary lymphadenopathy. Standardization in the management including the timing of breast screening and radiological investigation in relation to COVID vaccination is required, in order to minimize over investigation in this patient cohort. COVID-19 vaccine related axillary lymphadenopathy is being seen in tertiary symptomatic breast clinic. Patient and clinician education is necessary to raise awareness of this and contribute to a standardised approach of investigation and management of this phenomenon.

Abstract Introduction Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is the gold standard for determining axillary nodal status. There is growing interest in using preoperative axillary ultrasound (AUS) as a non-invasive means of assessing the axilla. However, AUS has limited sensitivity and is subject to operator dependency. This study aimed to quantify axillary nodal burden in preoperative AUS. Method This retrospective study used an institutional database of all primary invasive breast carcinomas from 2006–2019. Those with pathologically proven axillary metastatic disease were included. Patients were considered in two groups, low nodal burden/LNB(1-2LN) and high nodal burden/HNB(≥3LN) based on total positive lymph node count(SLNB+ALND). Preoperative AUS reports were assessed to determine those suspicious for axillary metastasis. Result Of the 347 patients (n=349 axillae), 77.9% had LNB and 22.1% had HNB. In patients with LNB, 228(83.8%) had a normal AUS versus 44(16.2%) suspicious AUS. In those with HNB 60(77.9%) had normal AUS findings versus 17(22.1%) suspicious findings. On multivariate analysis Nottingham Grade-3 was associated with suspicious AUS findings (p=0.02). However, receptor status, SLN macro-metastasis and extra-nodal extension were not associated with abnormal AUS. Conclusion As the surgical approach to the axilla becomes increasingly conservative, detection of axillary involvement by non-invasive means is an area of increasing research. In this cohort, AUS did not reliably identify patients with axillary metastasis. These results highlight the challenges in accurately assessing the axilla using preoperative AUS, which may result in axillary undertreatment if used as an alternative to surgical staging. Take-home message As the surgical approach to the axilla becomes increasingly conservative, detection of axillary involvement by non-invasive means is an area of increasing research. This study highlights the challenges in accurately assessing the axilla using preoperative AUS, which may result in axillary undertreatment if used as an alternative to surgical staging.

Abstract Introduction High quality surgery remains the cornerstone of treating oesophago-gastric malignancy. Recent work from the Dutch Upper-gastrointestinal Cancer Audit (DUCA) have defined ten surgical and perioperative ‘textbook’ parameters that correlate with improved overall survival. The aim of this project was to examine the proportion of patients attaining ‘textbook’ outcomes for oesophagectomy and gastrectomy in our unit before and after the introduction of national key performance indicators (KPIs). Method A retrospective review of all oesophagectomies and gastrectomies from January 2010 until June 2019 was performed. Clinical, pathological, perioperative, morbidity and mortality outcomes were recorded. 10 ‘textbook’ parameters were studied pre- and post-KPI introduction. Result 269 and 284 patients underwent oesophagectomy and gastrectomy respectively, 167 pre-KPI and 386 post-KPI. There were no significant differences in age (67.6 vs 66.4 years, p=0.6), gender (71% male, 29% female vs 68% male, 22% female, p=0.48), ASA grade (p=0.6) or tumour stage (p=0.37) pre- and post-KPI. In the pre-KPI era, 28/167 (17%) patients achieved all ten textbook parameters, compared with 157/386, (41%, p=0.001) post-KPI. This compares favourably to DUCA ‘textbook’ data. There was an improvement in adequate lymphadenectomy (56% vs 83%, p=0.002), a reduction in margin positivity (21% vs 7%, p= 0.001) and peri-operative mortality (6% vs 2%, p=0.03) post-KPI. Conclusion There has been a significant improvement in perioperative outcomes in esophagectomy following the introduction of national KPIs in our unit. The number of patients achieving ‘textbook’ outcomes is comparable with international standards. The identification of textbook parameters allows further focus for future quality improvement initiatives. Take-home message National KPIs improve peri-operative outcomes in oesophago-gastric cancer.

Abstract High quality surgery remains the cornerstone of treating esophageal malignancy. Recent work from the Dutch Upper-gastrointestinal Cancer Audit have defined ten surgical and perioperative “textbook” parameters that correlate with improved overall survival in patients undergoing esophageal resection. In 2013, national key performance indicators were introduced in Ireland against which esophageal cancer resection was to be benchmarked. This project examines the effect of introducing the KPIs on the proportion of patients attaining “textbook” outcomes for esophagectomy. Methods A retrospective review of all esophagectomies and from January 2010 until June 2019 was performed. Clinical, pathological, perioperative, morbidity and mortality outcomes were recorded. 10 “textbook” parameters were studied pre- and post-KPI introduction. Results 269 underwent esophagectomy, 77 pre-KPI and 192 post-KPI. There were no significant differences in age (67.6 vs 66.4 years, p = 0.6), gender (72% male, 28% female vs 67% male, 23% female, p = 0.43), ASA grade (p = 0.6) or tumour stage (p = 0.37) pre- and post-KPI. In the pre-KPI era, 13/77 (17%) patients achieved all ten textbook parameters, compared with 79/192, (41%, p = 0.001) post-KPI. This compares favourably to DUCA “textbook” data. There was an improvement in adequate lymphadenectomy (56% vs 83%, p = 0.002), a reduction in margin positivity (21% vs 7%, p = 0.001) and reduced peri-operative mortality (6% vs 2%, p = 0.03) post-KPI. Conclusion There has been a significant improvement in perioperative outcomes in esophagectomy following the introduction of national KPIs in our unit. The number of patients achieving “textbook” outcomes is comparable with international standards. The identification of textbook parameters allows further focus for future quality improvement initiatives.

BACKGROUND:Management of axillary disease in breast cancer has evolved significantly over the last two decades with the introduction of SLNB and a trend towards less radical surgery. Data from the American College of Surgeons Oncology Group Z0011 trial proposes that not all patients with positive axillary lymph nodes require completion axillary dissection.AIMS:The aim of this study was to determine whether there has been a change in practice patterns for axillary management in Ireland since the publication of this 'practice-changing' trial.METHODS:A review of breast cancers managed in the 12 months prior to publication of Z0011 (pre-Z0011) and comparison with those managed in the following 12 months (post-Z0011) was undertaken in three tertiary referral breast cancer centres. Patients with a positive SLNB were identified, and clinicopathologic data and subsequent management was compared between the two cohorts.RESULTS:There were 708 SLNB performed during the study period; 326 pre-Z0011 and 382 post-Z0011. There was no difference in the rate of SLN positivity between the two cohorts: 29.1 % had a positive SLN pre-Z0011 and 29.3 % were positive post-Z0011. There were a significantly lower number of axillary clearances performed in SLN-positive patients in the post-Z0011 period (71.4 %) compared to the pre-Z011 period (93.7 %, p = 0.0022 Chi-square). Of the patients with tumour characteristics meeting the Z0011 inclusion criteria in the initial 12 months of the study, 92.3 % underwent ALND compared with 65.6 % in the final 12 months of the study (p = 0.0006 Chi-square).CONCLUSIONS:There has been a change in clinical practice since the publication of the Z0011 trial, illustrated by a decrease in the rate of axillary clearance in node-positive breast cancers.