[The detection of breast carcinoma micrometastases in axillary lymph nodes by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction].

OBJECTIVE

To detect tumor micrometastases in axillary lymph nodes of breast carcinoma so as to obtain more reliable information about nodes status and its clinical significance.

METHOD: The expression of CK19 mRNA was measured in 61 axillary lymph nodes (LNs) of 15 breast carcinomas by using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULT: CK19 mRNA expression was detected in all 15 breast carcinomas, but not in 5 control LNs. Of 61 axillary LNs analysed by HE staining and CK19 RT-PCR, 7 LNs were found to have metastases by histological staining and CK19 RT-PCR. Of the remaining 54 axillary nodes, 12 were found to have metastases by using CK19 RT-PCR method.

CONCLUSION

The CK19 RT-PCR method is more sensitive than histological study for the detection of micrometastases in LNs (P < 0.01). This new method is of value in differentiating breast cancer patients at high risk for relapse from those with negative lymph node.