Table 3

The range and number of metastatic lymph nodes in node-positive breast cancers with different staining patterns for CXCR4


Staining pattern

Staining pattern in diffuse type






Lymph node metastasis
Focal
Diffuse
P
High
Low
P

Extent of metastasis






     N1
3
17
0.021
5
12
0.025
     ≥ N2
9
9

8
1

Number of metastatic nodes
12.4 ± 10.4
5.1 ± 5.4
0.0071
7.8 ± 6.4
2.5 ± 1.8
0.0078

The difference between N1 and ≥ N2 was statistically significant between focal and diffuse types, and between high and low expression of CXCR4, by χ2 tests. The numbers of metastatic nodes were also significantly different between focal and diffuse types, and between high and low expression of CXCR4, by Student's t-test. N1, metastatic nodes were confined in low and mid axilla area; N2, metastatic nodes were detected at apical axilla area.

Kato et al. Breast Cancer Res 2003 5:R144   doi:10.1186/bcr627