Abstract 100: The prevalence of axillary lymph node metastases in pure tubular carcinoma of the breast J. Leikola1, P. Heikkilä2, L. Krogerus3, K. von Smitten4, M. Leidenius5 1Helsinki University Central Hospital, Breast Surgery Unit, Helsinki, Finland 2Heslinki University Central Hospital, Dept. of Pathology, Helsinki, Finland 3Helsinki University Central Hospital, Dept. of Pathology, Helsinki, Finland 4Helsinki University Central Hospital, Breast Surgery Unit, Helsinki, Finland 5Helsinki University Central Hospital, Breast Surgery Unit, Helsinki, Finland Background and Objectives: Pure tubular carcinoma (PTC, > 90% tubular component) is a rare, well-differentiated histologic subtype of invasive breast cancer. The existing data regarding the prevalence of lymph node metastases and necessity of lymph node staging and axillary treatment in PTC is controversial. We aimed to study the prevalence of lymph node metastases in PTC. Methods: Altogether 26 patients with primary tumours classified as PTC underwent sentinel node biopsy (SNB) between March 2001 and August 2003 and were entered in the study. Histological re-evaluation of the tumours were performed by an experienced pathologist specialized in breast pathology. A level I/II axillary clearance (AC) was carried out in all patients with tumour positive sentinel nodes (SNs). Results: Seven of twenty-six (27%) patients had SN metastases, five of them micrometastases only. In six cases SNs were the only tumour positive lymph nodes. According to the pathological review by the expert pathologist, five patients, three with tumour positive SNs, did not have PTC. In addition, no histological specimens were available for re-evaluation in two patients. Three of the 19 (16%) patients with 6, 9 and 12 mm ``real'' PTC had single SN micrometastases and no metastases in the AC specimen. Conclusions: PTC appears to have a relatively high rate of axillary nodal metastases. Lymph node metastases cannot be excluded on the ground of the small size of the primary tumour. SNB seems to be an ideal staging method in PTC. European Journal of Cancer Supplement Vol. 2, No. 3, page 84 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.