Publication:

Correlation of coagulation markers with axillary lymph node metastasis in breast malignancy: a tertiary care centre study in North India

Background Breast cancer is the most common female cancer worldwide representing nearly a quarter (25%) of all cancers. Search for a marker which can predict lymph node metastasis in clinically negative axilla has been a matter of research for long. The present study is an attempt to evaluate role of coagulation makers with special reference to D-dimer and factor 7 and 8 in patients of carcinoma breast in predicting lymph node metastasis in carcinoma patients.

Methods The study was a prospective study conducted in 50 diagnosed patients of carcinoma breast in whom D dimer levels and factor 7 and 8 levels were measured at the time of commencement of the treatment and at six weeks after surgery.

Results Most of the patients in the study group were in the age group 41-70 (80%) years. 22% patients were of early Breast cancer. The reduction in D-dimer, factor VII and factor VIII value after 6 weeks of surgery were significant (p value 0.0001 for all three).

Conclusions D-dimer and factor VII were found to be an independent predictive factor for lymph node metastatsis, thus providing as a safe, easy, objective and convenient supplement to sentinel node biopsy in assessing metastatic disease in axilla. Combined- with other biomarkers, it may prove to be an alternative to sentinel node biopsy in assessing metastatic disease in axilla. Significant postoperative decrease in D-dimer, factor VII and factor VIII may provide objective criteria to assess completion of surgery.