Abstract P4-11-15: Outcomes for Breast Cancer Patients with Isolated Metastasis or Recurrence to the Contralateral Nodal Basins
Authors: Koay EJ , Tereffe W , Yu T-K , Perkins GH , Hoffman KE , Smith BD , Lucci A , Meric-Bernstam F , Brewster AM , Strom EA , Buchholz TA , Woodward WA. 
Published: April 2011

Background: Aggressive treatment of isolated breast cancer metastasis to either bone or lung has been reported to achieve long term survival. For the first time, we analyzed outcomes for patients (pts) with isolated metastasis to the contralateral (contra) supraclavicular (SCV) and/or axillary nodal basins.

Material and Methods: Pts treated with definitive or palliative radiation to the contra nodal basin(s) at M.D. Anderson were analyzed from the period of 2005-2010. They were divided into two groups: pts initially diagnosed with contra SCV and/or axilla as the only site of metastasis (designated Primary), and pts with recurrence in the contra SCV and/or axilla, without other distant metastasis (designated Recurrent).

Results: Of 34 potential pts with contra lymph node metastasis, 13 had isolated disease and were analyzed. In the Primary group (N=8, T4d N1- 3c M1), median survival was 25 mos, and 2-yr actuarial overall survivalwas 62.5%. All received neoadjuvant anthracycline and/or taxane-based chemotherapy followed by ipsilateral (ipsi) modified radical mastectomy and ipsi axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). The contra lymphatics were treated with ALND followed by radiation (N=5, 56-60 Gy) or with radiation alone (N=3, 45-66 Gy). Radiation fields included ipsi chest wall as well as ipsi and involved contra lymphatics. The contra chest wall or breast was radiated in 3 of the 8 pts. Two pts had estrogen receptor (ER) positive disease, and all had Her2-neu negative disease. Both ER+ pts are alive with no evidence of disease (NED; 1 had contra ALND; survival 25 and 51 mos). All 6 ER-pts died with disease (WD; 4 had contra ALND; survival 10 to 32 mos). One pt had an in-field recurrence in the contra nodal basin (51 Gy post ALND). No contra chest wall/breast recurrences were seen. All ER-pts developed additional distant metastasis, most within 4 mos of starting adjuvant radiation.

Regarding the Recurrent group (N=5), median survival was 25 mos after recurrence. Two ER+ pts received initial anti-estrogen therapy; all ER-pts initially received a taxane-based chemotherapy. The contra chest wall or breast was radiated in addition to the involved contra lymphatics in 3 of the 5 pts. Two pts had adjuvant radiation treatment with definitive intent to the contra lymphatics after ALND (50-50.4 Gy), with 1 alive/NED (66 mos from recurrence, no radiation to the contra breast) and 1 dead/WD (25 mos from recurrence). Radiation intent was palliation in 3 pts (none received ALND) with 1 alive/WD (60 Gy, 64 mos from recurrence) and 2 dead/WD (53.8 and 45 Gy, 6 and 18 mos from recurrence, respectively). In-field recurrence in the contra nodal basin occurred in 1 pt (50.4 Gy). Pts who died had progressive disease or additional distant metastasis within 3 mos of starting radiation.

Discussion: In this uncommon clinical scenario, locoregional control of the contra lymphatics was achieved with radiation alone or with surgery followed by radiation for a select group of pts; control was achieved without radiating the contra chest wall/breast. Only ER+ pts were rendered NED. Most ER-pts quickly developed other distant metastasis, highlighting the need for more effective systemic therapy.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-11-15.