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[Sentinel lymph-node biopsy in breast cancer: five years' experience]
Maria Antonietta Gioffrè Florio1, Fausto Famà, Grazia Gullo
1Cattedra di Chirurgia Generale dell'Università degli Studi di Messina.
Chirurgia Italiana
|March 25, 2004
Summary
Sentinel lymph-node biopsy is a feasible method for breast cancer staging, potentially avoiding routine axillary dissection. Further research is needed to define the role of micro- or macrometastases and tumor mRNA.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Surgical Pathology
Context:
- Breast cancer staging requires accurate assessment of lymph node involvement.
- Sentinel lymph-node biopsy (SLNB) offers a less invasive alternative to complete axillary lymph-node dissection (ALND).
Purpose:
- To evaluate the feasibility and outcomes of sentinel lymph-node biopsy in patients with early-stage breast cancer (T1-T2 N0 M0).
Summary:
- Ninety-one patients underwent SLNB using radiocolloid or blue dye. Sentinel nodes were identified in the axilla (88%), internal mammary (2%), and subclavicular (1%) sites.
- Histological examination revealed positive nodes in 29 cases, with ALND performed subsequently. No recurrences were observed in treated patients.
- SLNB proved effective in identifying metastatic spread, with no observed recurrences in the study cohort.
Impact:
- Sentinel lymphadenectomy is a viable technique for breast cancer management, potentially reducing the need for extensive axillary surgery.
- Further investigation is required to clarify the clinical significance of micrometastases and tumor mRNA detection in sentinel lymph nodes.