Occult @entity0 presenting with axillary lymph node XXXX .

@entity1 @entity0 @entity189 @entity3 @entity420
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Occult primary @entity0 is uncommon. Most reported series encompass a large periods of time with great variability in diagnostic and treatment approaches. The objective of the present study was to review the recent experience with this type of presentation of @entity0 in the University of Alabama at Birmingham. METHODS: Retrospective review of clinicopathological data of female @entity1 presenting with axillary @entity3 of @entity420 with unknown primary and normal clinical and mammographic breast exam seen at UAB between 1985 and 1998. RESULTS: Ten @entity1 were identified. Mean age was 56 years. Sixty per cent were white and postmenopausal. All @entity1 had biopsy proven @entity420 consistent with breast primary. All but one @entity1 underwent an axillary dissection. Nine out of ten @entity1 received some type of local treatment to the breast. Three of them underwent mastectomy and no invasive @entity189 was demonstrated in the surgical specimens. Six @entity1 received radiation therapy to the breast. All @entity1 received chemotherapy. With mean follow-up time of 48 months, two @entity1 developed local recurrence to the axilla and four developed distant @entity3 and eventually died. At last follow-up six @entity1 are alive with no evidence of disease. CONCLUSIONS: In presence of axillary @entity3 from an unknown breast primary, an extensive work-up evaluation is not necessary. An axillary dissection is recommended to provide prognostic indicators as well as local control. A breast conservation approach seems to be feasible without affect the local control and survival.
