Impact of routine subspecialty pathology review on the care of women age ≤ 65 years with lymph node negative breast cancer: A practice review

e12006Background: Changes in classic pathological features of lymph node negative breast cancer (LNBC) can have a profound impact on local-regional and systemic therapy recommendations. The impact of routine subspecialty pathology review on the care of these patients has not been well described. Methods: Women diagnosed with LNBC from January 1 to December 21, 2012 referred to our cancer centre were identified. As per routine institutional practice, patients ≤ 65 years whose pathology had originally been reported by a general pathologist, had their pathology automatically sent for subspecialty review by a breast pathologist. Medical records were examined to determine if original pathology was changed and if treatment recommendations were altered. Results: Of 468 patients diagnosed with LNBC, 187 patients had their pathology initially reported by a general. Eighty-two (82/187) had at least one change on subspecialty pathology review including increase in tumour grade (35), increase in tumour size (18), and...