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Perifacial lymph node metastasis in the submandibular triangle of patients with oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma with clinically node-positive neck.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this retrospective chart review were to investigate the rate of metastasis to the perifacial lymph node, which was defined as the nodal pads that lie anterior or posterior to the anterior facial vein on top of the facial artery in the submandibular triangle, and to identify its risk factors in patients with oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OOSCC) with clinically node-positive neck. METHODS: Beginning in July 1999, we routinely removed the perifacial lymph node pads of the submandibular triangle (level Ib) from the main therapeutic comprehensive neck dissection (level I-V) specimen for evaluation of metastatic rate to this nodal group in patients with OOSCC with clinically node-positive neck. This study is a retrospective analysis of patients undergoing perifacial node sampling from July 1999 to March 2006. A total of 66 patients (17 patients with oral cavity cancer and 49 with oropharyngeal cancer) underwent perifacial lymph node dissections. Of these, three (two with oral cavity tumors and one with an oropharynx tumor) had clinically positive node in level I. RESULTS: The incidence rate of metastasis to the perifacial lymph node was 35% in oral cavity carcinoma (six of 17) and 8% in oropharynx carcinoma (four of 49). In addition, in patients without clinically positive level I node, the occult metastasis rate of the perifacial node was 27% in oral cavity carcinoma (four of 15) and 6% in oropharynx carcinoma (three of 48). Clinical or pathologic nodal staging above the N2b advanced lesion had a statistically significant association with perifacial lymph node metastasis (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that these nodal pads should be removed thoroughly for the treatment of node-positive neck in patients with oral cavity carcinoma. In contrast, however, complete removal may be unnecessary in comprehensive neck dissection of patients with oropharyngeal carcinoma with clinically node-positive neck, especially below nodal stage N2a.

Adult↗

[Identification of the differentially expressed genes between primary breast cancer and paired lymph node metastasis through combining mRNA differential display and gene microarray].

OBJECTIVE: To identify and clone the genes related to breast cancer metastasis through comparing the mRNA expression profiling between primary breast cancer and paired lymph node metastasis. METHODS: First, primary breast cancer cells and paired lymph node metastasis tissues were used to identify their differentially expressed genes by using mRNA differential display, and fragments of differentially expressed genes were obtained by gel cutting and cloning to pGEM-T vector, then sequencing and blasting with the GenBank for their homologous genes. Then, the obtained genes were validated by using reverse dot blot hybridization and gene microarray. Finally, the mRNA expression levels in the 7 breast cancer cell lines with different metastasis behaviors were detected by real-time RT-PCR. RESULTS: The mRNA expression profiling of the metastatic breast cancers in lymph node was similar to that of their primary cancers. 16 differentially expressed gene fragments were obtained from mRNA differential display; four of them were found to be unknown genes, and had been accepted by the GenBank, with the accession numbers BG518428, BG518429, BM005520, and BM005521. Of the other 12 genes, 8 were known genes, and 4 were genes with known sequences but unknown functions. The kinesin-like DNA binding protein (KNSL4) and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DYPD) were down-regulated in the metastatic tissues in comparison with the paired primary tissues, which was identified by both radioactivity-labeled reverse dot blot hybridization and fluorescence-labeled gene microarray hybridization. KNSL4 mRNA expression had a down-regulation trend with increasing metastatic ability of breast cancer cell lines. CONCLUSIONS: The gene expression profiling of the lymph node metastasis is almost similar to that of their primary breast cancer, indicating that the metastatic cancer cells in lymph node are the subclone with higher metastasis ability of the primary cancer cells, and that some differentially expressed genes between them may be involved in the change of metastasis phenotype. KNSL4 and DYPD are potential metastasis-related genes, and KNSL4 mRNA expression is correlated with metastasis behaviors of the breast cancer cell lines, suggesting that KNSL4 may play an important role in the metastasis process of breast cancer.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Cell proliferation in prostate cancer patients with lymph node metastasis: a marker for progression.

The biological aggressiveness of lymph node-positive prostate cancer is closely linked to cancer volume in nodal metastases. We evaluated MIB-1 (Ki-67) labeling index and bcl-2 expression in primary cancer and matched nodal metastases from 138 node-positive patients treated with radical prostatectomy and bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy between 1987 and 1992 at the Mayo Clinic. One hundred twenty-eight patients (93%) received androgen deprivation therapy within 90 days after radical prostatectomy. Mean patient age was 66 years (range, 51-78). The median follow-up was 6.7 years (range, 0.03-11). MIB-1 (Ki-67) labeling index was determined by digital image analysis, and nodal cancer volume was determined by the grid method. Systemic progression, defined as the presence of distant metastasis documented by biopsy or radiographic examination, was used as an outcome end point in the Cox proportional hazard models. MIB-1 labeling index in nodal metastases was predictive of systemic progression-free survival (P = 0.001). The 8-year systemic progression-free survival was 100% for those with MIB-1 labeling index <3.5% compared with 78% for those with MIB-1 labeling index > or =7.8%. MIB-1 labeling index correlated with Gleason score, DNA ploidy, and nodal cancer volume (P<0.001, 0.04, and <0.001, respectively). After controlling for nodal cancer volume, MIB-1 labeling index remained significant in predicting systemic progression-free survival (P = 0.047). bcl-2 expression in the primary cancer and lymph node metastasis was associated with systemic progression-free survival in univariate analysis (P = 0.027 and 0.048, respectively) but was not significant after adjusting for nodal cancer volume (P = 0.52 and 0.17, respectively). Our data indicate that assessment of cell proliferation in nodal metastasis is predictive of clinical outcome in prostate cancer patients with regional lymph node metastasis.

Aged↗

[Lymph node metastasis of adenoid cystic carcinoma].

BACKGROUND: The adenocystic carcinoma (ACC) of the head and of the neck is rather uncommon. It is characterized by a very slow biological behaviour, which leads to locoregional recurrences and distant metastasis. Most reports concentrate on the unpredictable long-term behaviour of this tumor, whereas lymph nodes metastasis are not usually discussed in detail. The aim of this study was to evaluate the difficulties connected with the lymph node metastasis in ACC. METHODS: A group of 33 patients from 1980 to 1998, was observed. These patients have been subjected to surgical treatment in the Maxillo-Facial Surgery Department of the Policlinico-Umberto I of Rome. RESULTS: Among 33 patients with ACC, 10 patients (30%) revealed, initially or during observation, cervical lymph node metastasis, which is a most common event in male subjects (70%). The lymph node involvement is much more common in carcinomas localized in the parotid and in the sublingual glands with a solid rather than a tubular histologic pattern. Direct correlation between age and metastasis lymph node involvement have not been documented. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery for node disease has a very little impact on the locoregional and on the distant metastasis evolution of the tumor. Thus, our protocol of treatment of lymph nodes metastatic lesions follows the trend of most of the international authors, considering that the neck dissection should be performed only with a lymph adenopathy clinically evident or strongly suspected.

Aged↗

The balance of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 mRNA is a predictor of lymph node metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer.

A positive association between vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) expression and lymph node metastasis has been reported in several cancers. However, the relationship of VEGF-C and lymph node metastasis in some cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), is controversial. We evaluated the VEGF-C and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 (VEGFR-3) expression in NSCLC samples from patients who had undergone surgery between 1998 and 2002 using real-time quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemical staining. We failed to find a positive association between VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 mRNA expression and lymph node metastasis in NSCLC. An immunohistological study demonstrated that VEGF-C was expressed not only in cancer cells, but also in macrophages in NSCLC, and that VEGFR-3 was expressed in cancer cells, macrophages, type II pneumocytes and lymph vessels. The VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 ratio of the node-positive group was significantly higher than that of the node-negative group. Immunohistochemical staining showed that VEGFR-3 was mainly expressed in cancer cells. The immunoreactivity of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 was roughly correlated to the mRNA levels of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 in real-time PCR. VEGF-C mRNA alone has no positive association with lymph node metastasis in NSCLC. The VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 ratio was positively associated with lymph node metastasis in NSCLC. This suggests that VEGF-C promotes lymph node metastasis while being influenced by the strength of the VEGF-C autocrine loop, and the VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 ratio can be a useful predictor of lymph node metastasis in NSCLC.

Adult↗

Lymph node metastasis in early gastric cancer with submucosal invasion: feasibility of minimally invasive surgery.

AIM: To explore the feasibility of performing minimally invasive surgery (MIS) on subsets of submucosal gastric cancers that are unlikely to have regional lymph node metastasis. METHODS: A total of 105 patients underwent radical gastrectomy with lymph node dissection for submucosal gastric cancer at our hospital from January 1995 to December 1995. Besides investigating many clinicopathological features such as tumor size, gross appearance, and differentiation, we measured the depth of invasion into submucosa minutely and analyzed the clinicopathologic features of these patients regarding lymph node metastasis. RESULTS: The rate of lymph node metastasis in cases where the depth of invasion was <500 microm, 500-2000 microm, or >2000 microm was 9% (2/23), 19% (7/36), and 33% (15/46), respectively (P<0.05). In univariate analysis, no significant correlation was found between lymph node metastasis and clinicopathological characteristics such as age, sex, tumor location, gross appearance, tumor differentiation, Lauren's classification, and lymphatic invasion. In multivariate analysis, tumor size (>4 cm vs <=2 cm, odds ratio = 4.80, P = 0.04) and depth of invasion (>2000 microm vs <=500 microm, odds ratio = 6.81, P = 0.02) were significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis. Combining the depth and size in cases where the depth of invasion was less than 500 microm, we found that lymph node metastasis occurred where the tumor size was greater than 4 cm. In cases where the tumor size was less than 2 cm, lymph node metastasis was found only where the depth of tumor invasion was more than 2000 microm. CONCLUSION: MIS can be applied to submucosal gastric cancer that is less than 2 cm in size and 500 microm in depth.

Adult↗

Possibility of pre-operative diagnosis of lymph node metastasis based on morphology.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The accuracy of pre-operative diagnosis of lymph node metastasis is insufficient. Our aim was to define the possibility of diagnosing metastatic lymph nodes based on morphology. METHODOLOGY: One hundred and fifty-seven patients with pre-operatively untreated esophageal squamous cell carcinoma underwent resection, 5334 lymph nodes were isolated, and the short and long diameters were measured. We tried to construct a linear regression line for metastasis rate versus lymph node size (long diameter classified at intervals of 1 mm) by each location. The ratio of short diameter to long diameter (SL ratio) of metastasis-positive lymph nodes was compared with that of negative ones at each location. RESULTS: Gradient and intercept of overall regression line was 0.0213 and 0.0101, respectively, and the long diameter producing a metastasis rate of 80% (LD80) was 37.1 mm. Metastasis-positive lymph nodes larger than calculated LD80 represented no more than 9.5% of all the corresponding metastasis-positive nodes. The locations with significant difference of SL ratio between metastasis-positive and negative ones were limited to right cardiac, left gastric artery, thoracic paratracheal, bifurcation, and the highest mediastinal nodes. CONCLUSIONS: There is a low possibility that lymph node metastasis can be exactly diagnosed pre-operatively based on the size and morphology.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

[Risk factors for lymph node metastasis in malignant melanoma].

The elective and the therapeutic lymph node dissection are discussed for therapy of malignant melanoma. We analyzed the significance of prognostic factors for the development of lymph node metastasis. Reviewing the records of 388 patients with malignant melanoma between 1983 and 1994, 230 patients were classified for clinical stadium I and II at the time of primary therapy. 148 patients (64.3%) developed positive lymph nodes. Sex, age and ulceration tendency had no significant influence on prognosis. The nodular type of melanoma metastasized significantly most frequently in the regional lymph nodes (75.6%), followed by the the acrolentiginous melanoma 64.0%), the lentigo maligna melanoma (60.0%) and the superficial spreading melanoma (45.7%). With tumor staging from pT1 (38.5%) to pT4 (78.1%) positive lymph nodes significantly developed. The malignant melanomas of the trunk had the strongest tendency for lymph node metastasis. For patients with histologically confirmed nodular malignant melanoma, tumor staging pT3 and pT4 or malignant melanomas of the trunk we see the indication for an elective lymph node dissection.

Adult↗

Venous invasion may predict lymph node metastasis in early rectal cancer.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of histopathological and demographic characteristics in predicting lymph node metastasis in patients with adenocarcinoma of the rectum confined to the mucosal and submucosal layers. METHODS: Fifty-nine patients with early rectal cancer underwent resection of the rectum including lymph nodes and five showed lymph node metastasis (8.6%). Pathology slides of these patients were reviewed by a single pathologist. Demographic and clinical characteristics of these 59 patients were correlated with the existence of nodal metastasis. Formal tests of comparability were carried out by using Fisher's exact test. Logistic regression models were fitted to data to examine possible relationships with 12 covariates measured from each patient and to obtain corresponding odds ratios (as well as a 95% confidence interval for the odds ratios). These covariates included age at surgery, gender, morphology, histology, degree of differentiation, Haggitt's classification for polyps according to the level of invasion, lymphatic and venous invasion, desmoplastic reaction, degree of lymphocytic invasion, presence of lymphoid follicles and presence of infiltrating or pushing margins. RESULTS: A significantly higher rate of lymph node metastasis occurs in the presence of venous invasion (P < 0.01). Venous invasion was present in three of five (60%) patients with lymph node metastasis and only four of 54 (7%) patients without lymph node metastasis. Other variables did not achieve statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Only the presence of venous invasion was found to be highly significant. The odds ratio of lymph node metastasis increased 18-fold for a patient who had venous invasion compared with a patient who did not. This suggests that the presence of venous invasion in early rectal cancer may provide valuable information to determine which patients would benefit from radical surgery, or adjuvant radiation therapy after sphincter-sparing surgery owing to an increased risk of lymph node metastasis.

Adenocarcinoma↗

The presence of large lymph node metastasis as a prognostic factor of papillary thyroid carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: Papillary thyroid carcinomas often metastasize to regional lymph nodes, but the significance of lymph node metastasis as a prognostic factor has not been established. This study was conducted to determine the survival rate in patients with and without large lymph node metastasis greater than 3 cm in the maximum diameter, which are N2 or N3 for other head and neck cancers. METHODS: The survival rate was determined by using Kaplan-Meier method in 67 patients with previously untreated papillary thyroid carcinoma who underwent radical surgery at the Department of Otolaryngology, Toyooka Hospital, between 1993 and 2000. RESULTS: The prognosis was significantly poor (P=0.004) in patients with large lymph node metastasis greater than 3 cm in the maximum diameter. No significant difference was noted in the prevalence of large lymph node metastasis greater than 3 cm in the maximum diameter between different T groups. CONCLUSION: Large lymph node metastasis was considered to be a poor prognostic factor of papillary thyroid carcinoma independent of the T classification.

Adult↗

[Clinicopathological studies of advanced rectal cancers--prediction of the degree of lymph node metastasis from histopathological finding of pre-operative biopsy specimens].

If we can predict pre-operatively the degree of lymph node metastasis, we can do a minimum radical operation and avoid the disturbance of urinary or sexual function. To predict the degree of lymph node metastasis we studied lymph vessel invasion (ly), microgland cancer nests and undifferentiated cancer cells (budding) in the pre-operative biopsy specimens and resected materials. Results are as follows; 1. The rate of ly in in biopsy specimens was low (13%), but when ly was present, the rate of lymph node metastasis was very high (100%). 2. The rate of budding in biopsy specimens was quite high (46%), and when budding was present, the rate of lymph node metastasis was quite high (79%). 3. Studies of serial continuous sections at 3 micron intervals showed that budding was closely related to ly. 4. Our study of resected specimens of rectal cancers revealed that the best position for the biopsy was in the margin of cancer tissue of the anal side including submucosa.

Adenocarcinoma↗

[Regional lymph node metastasis in renal pelvic or ureteral cancer].

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study is to evaluate the frequency of regional lymph node metastasis, clinical outcomes and histopathological findings of renal pelvic or ureteral cancer with regional lymph node metastasis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and sixty three patients with renal pelvic or ureteral cancer were treated in our hospital between 1961 and 1995. Eighty nine in 155 patients underwent lymph node dissection. Frequency of regional lymph node metastasis, clinical outcomes and histopathological findings of these 89 patients were investigated. Patient survival rates were determined by actuarial calculation using Kaplan-Meier method with log-rank test. RESULTS: The status of lymph node involvement was pN0 in 61 (68.5%), pN1 in 5 (5.6%), pN2 in 15(16.9%) and pN3 in 8 patients (9.0%). The 5-year survival rate was 78.8%, 12.5%, 20.0% and 0% for pN0 pN(+), pN1, pN2 and pN3 respectively. In 28 patients with regional lymph node metastasis, patients with distant metastasis were all dead within 1.2 years and the 3- or 5-yer survival rates of patients without distant metastasis were 31.4% and 15.7%. The difference between two groups were obvious (p < 0.01). The 3-year survival rate was 100%, 66.7%, 33.3% and 0% for pT1, pT2, pT3 and pT4 patients with M0 and pN(+) respectively. CONCLUSION: Our data suggested that conventional treatments were not effective for almost patients with regional lymph node metastasis. However in the patients with low grade, under pT3 and M0, pN1-2, the possibility of long time survival was shown.

Adult↗

Prospective validation of an algorithm with systematic sextant biopsy to predict pelvic lymph node metastasis in patients with clinically localized prostatic carcinoma.

PURPOSE: We prospectively validate an algorithm to predict pelvic lymph node metastasis in patients with clinically localized prostatic carcinoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 293 patients with prostatic cancer were identified before pelvic lymph node dissection according to an algorithm developed with the classification and regression tree analysis as high-greater than 3 sextant biopsies containing any Gleason grade 4 or 5 cancer, intermediate-at least 1 biopsy dominated by Gleason grade 4 or 5 cancer but not high risk and low risk-all other patients. Observed and predicted frequencies of pelvic lymph node metastasis were compared. RESULTS: The observed frequencies of lymph node metastasis were remarkably similar to the predicted frequencies, including 2.8% versus 2.2% in 85.7% of patients in the low risk group, 16.7% versus 19.4% in 10.2% intermediate and 41.7% versus 45.5% in 4.1% high, respectively. If patients in the low risk group were considered to have node negative disease the specificity and negative predictive value of the algorithm were 88.4% and 97.2%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our algorithm is valid as a simple and accurate tool for the prediction of pelvic lymph node metastasis in patients with clinically localized prostatic cancer. Those 85.7% of patients classified by the algorithm to have a low risk of lymphatic spread should not undergo pelvic lymph node dissection before definitive local treatment.

Algorithms↗

Incidence and prognosis of para-aortic lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We investigated the frequency of para-aortic lymph node involvement and evaluated the effects on survival of dissection of these lymph nodes in patients with N4 node metastasis. METHODOLOGY: One hundred and forty nine gastric cancer patients with N4 node dissection were analyzed. Total gastrectomy with splenectomy or pancreatosplenectomy was performed in 99, distal gastrectomy 48, pancreaticoduodenectomy 3, and proximal gastrectomy with splenectomy 2. RESULTS: N4 nodal involvement was found in about 30-40% of operable patients with Borrmann's type 3 or 4 tumor, with tumor >8 cm in size, with tumor throughout the entire or in the upper third of the stomach, with tumor invasion to the serosa or adjacent structures, with N2 or N3 regional lymph node metastasis, and with undifferentiated histological type. The survival was quite poor. However, in patients without N3 nodal involvement or intraperitoneal free cancer cells, the survival after resection of tumor with N4 nodal involvement was relatively favorable. CONCLUSIONS: The resection of these involved lymph nodes can be expected to be beneficial in patients without extensive serosal invasion and without extensive lymph nodal involvement such as N3 nodes. Patients with tumor in the upper third of the stomach are appropriate candidates for N4 node dissection.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Retropharyngeal lymph node metastasis from olfactory neuroblastoma: A report of two cases.

Olfactory neuroblastoma is a rare, malignant neoplasm arising from the olfactory epithelium. It has an aggressive biological behavior that is characterized by local recurrence, atypical distant metastasis, and poor long-term prognosis. The incidence of cervical lymph node metastasis in olfactory neuroblastoma is variable, and treatment modalities are controversial. Moreover, few reports have been published concerning retropharyngeal lymph node metastasis from olfactory neuroblastoma. We present two cases of olfactory neuroblastoma with retropharyngeal lymph node metastasis. In addition, we provided a review of the current literature regarding olfactory neuroblastoma and retropharyngeal lymph node metastasis from olfactory neuroblastoma.

Adult↗

Association of smoking with lymph node metastasis in early stages of squamous cell carcinoma of tongue.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship of lymph node metastasis with smoking in T1 and T2 staged squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of tongue. DESIGN: An analytical study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: ENT Department of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, from 1st January 2001 to 31st December 2002. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 60 patients of T1 and T2 of SCC of oral tongue were selected. These patients were divided into two groups on the basis of history of smoking. Also these patients were clinically examined for lymph node metastasis and FNAC done for the confirmation of diagnosis. Odds ratio (OR) and p-value were statistically determined to asses the association between lymph node metastasis and smoking. RESULTS: The odds ratio for patients with history of smoking to develop lymph node metastasis was 1.896 but association was statistically insignificant (p = 0.24). CONCLUSION: This study indicates that although smoking increases the risk for lymph node metastasis but the association is insignificant in T1 and T2 staged SCC of tongue.

Adult↗

HLA antigens are candidate markers for prediction of lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer.

We investigated the association between human leucocyte antigen (HLA) antigens and lymph node metastasis in 724 gastric cancer patients. Among patients who had poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with or without HLA-DR4 antigen, lymph node metastasis was detected in 80.8 and 54.9%, respectively (relative risk (RR) = 3.5, P = 0.0005, corrected P = 0.0285). It was more common in patients with a family history of cancer death (RR = 7.7). Among signet ring cell carcinoma patients with or without HLA-B52 antigen, lymph node metastasis was detected in 57.7 and 19.7%, respectively (RR = 5.6, P = 0.0001, corrected P = 0.0086). It was more common in patients who were smokers (RR= 8.3). Our findings suggest that HLA-DR4 and HLA-B52 antigens are associated with lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer.

Adult↗

Size of residual lymph node metastasis after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced breast cancer patients is prognostic.

BACKGROUND: The prognostic significance of micrometastasis after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced breast cancer is unknown. We examined the residual lymph node metastasis size in patients after treatment with neoadjuvant chemotherapy to determine the relevance of metastasis size on outcome. METHODS: Stage II/III breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy at our institution from 1991 to 2002 were included. We examined the relationship of postneoadjuvant chemotherapy lymph node metastasis size and number with distant disease-free survival (DDFS) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: In 122 patients with a median follow-up of 5.4 years, we found not only that patients with an increasing number of residual positive nodes had progressively worse DDFS and OS (P < .0001 for both) compared with patients with negative nodes, but also that the size of the largest lymph node metastasis was associated with worse DDFS and OS (P < .0001 for both) in both univariate and multivariate analysis. Compared with negative nodes, even lymph node micrometastasis (<2 mm) was associated with worsened DDFS and OS (adjusted P = .02 and P = .005, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Residual micrometastatic disease in the axillary lymph nodes after neoadjuvant chemotherapy is predictive of worse prognosis than negative nodes. In this study, the lymph node metastasis size and the number of involved lymph nodes were independent powerful predictors of DDFS and OS.

Adult↗