Isolated internal mammary sentinel lymph node metastasis in two breast cancer patients

Lymphatic mapping with sentinel node biopsy may lead to more accurate staging of breast cancer patients. Two patients with sentinel nodes in the internal mammary node chain are described. These nodes were visualized on lymphoscintigraphy images and harvested by the surgeon. They were shown to contain tumor cells in the absence of axillary involvement. This led to upstaging and to a change in the subsequent management.