[Intraoperative evaluation of axillary lymph nodes for micrometastases using immunohistochemistry--preliminary study]

The increase of utilization of sentinel lymph nodes concept for breast carcinoma has made intraoperative evaluation of immunohistochemistry using epithelial markers attractive. At present the optimal procedures for intraoperative detection of micrometastasis of axillary lymph nodes has not been established. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the immunohistochemistry for intraoperative diagnosis of axillary lymph nodes in patients with breast cancer. Lymph nodes from 170 patients(1048 lymph nodes) were examined immunohistochemistry using anti cytokeratin, compared with intraoperative frozen section of same lymph nodes with H & E staining. Tumor metastases were found in 50 patients(92 lymph nodes) in H & E staining section, compared with 64 patients(113 lymph nodes) stained with anti-cytokeratin. Of 14 patients whose metastases were detected by immunohistochemistry. Routine intraoperative frozen diagnosis using H & E stainings significantly underestimates lymph nodes metastases. The insufficient diagnosis may be overcome by immunohistochemistry using anti-cytokeratin and careful examination of routine sections with good qualities. The true clinical significance of these micrometastases will be determined by long term follow up studies.