Selective use of radiological staging in node-positive stage II breast cancer patients may have a role in treatment.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Advanced-staging radiography is used inconsistently for patients with early-stage (stage I + II) breast cancer. However, accurate and appropriate staging of newly diagnosed breast cancer may significantly impact treatment decisions. METHODS: Four hundred and ninety-nine patients with stages II and III breast cancer were seen in the breast service at Waitemata DHB, New Zealand from 2013 to 2018 were enrolled in the study and audited for radiological staging. RESULTS: One hundred and two stage II patients had computed tomography (CT) at baseline; 88 of 102 (86%) of stage II patients were node-positive (≥N1) with six patients (6.8%) having distant metastatic disease, and were upstaged to stage IV. Fifty-two stage III patients out of 72 (72%) had baseline staging CTs. Nine out of 52 patients (17%) of stage III patients were upstaged to stage IV. Despite guideline recommendations, baseline staging for T4 disease (stage IIIB) was poor, with only 7 out of 13 patients with stage IIIB disease radiologically staged. CONCLUSION: Consideration for baseline radiological staging should be given to stages II and III, cN1 breast cancer patients, in which diagnosis of distant metastatic disease would change the treatment plan. Regional guidelines for baseline radiological staging for breast cancer patients may have an impact on patient management in breast cancer patients.