Patient preference for dissection of sentinel nodes outside level I-II of the axilla

In this study patients' and female doctors' opinions about harvesting sentinel nodes outside the axilla are evaluated and patients' ability to understand the concept of sentinel node biopsy is investigated. Information leaflets and questionnaires were mailed to 100 patients with breast cancer who had undergone sentinel node biopsy and to 300 female doctors. Seventy-three (73%) patients and 148 (49%) female doctors returned the questionnaire. Fifty-eight (79%) breast cancer patients and 71 (48%) female doctors wanted harvesting to be done in order to determine whether the nodes were involved. Sixty-six (90%) patients and 128 (86%) female doctors wanted the procedure if it changed the treatment. Sixty (82%) patients understood the outcome of the sentinel node procedure. Patients with breast cancer seem to value the information gained by harvesting sentinel nodes outside the axilla and want the procedure if there is even the slightest possibility that it might change the adjuvant treatment.