Radioguided occult lesion localisation (ROLL) and sentinel node biopsy for impalpable invasive breast cancer

The aim of this study was to simplify the technique of ROLL and sentinel node biopsy without compromising tumour excision and sentinel node biopsy.

Twenty patients with impalpable primary invasive breast carcinoma underwent an injection of 99mTc-nanocolloid mixed with radiographic contrast medium Iohexol into the centre of the lesion under ultrasound or stereotactic guidance pre-operatively. No guidewire localisation was performed. Under general anaesthesia, a periareolar intradermal/subcutaneous injection of patent blue-V dye was performed. The sentinel node was identified by blue-stained lymphatics and node and a hot spot on the gamma probe. Surgical excision of the primary tumour was then carried out using the gamma probe.

In eight of 20 cases an immediate re-excision was carried out and on histological assessment, all 20 patients were clear of invasive disease at the margins. In two patients, in situ disease was present at the margins and a further re-excision was therefore performed. The sentinel node was identified in all cases. In all, five of 20 patients were node positive on routine HE staining. In a further two patients, tumour cells were identified by immunohistochemistry with CAM5.2 antibody. Completion axillary clearance in six patients confirmed that the sentinel node was the only positive node.

This modification of the previously described ROLL technique is feasible and safe and does not compromise tumour excision or sentinel node detection.