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The Application of 1% Methylene Blue Dye As a Single Technique in Breast Cancer Sentinel Node Biopsy
Published on: June 1, 2019
[Sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer]
Ellen Schlichting1, Marianne Efskind Harr, Torill Sauer
1Gastrokirurgisk avdeling Ullevål universitetssykehus 0406 Oslo. elsc@uus.no
Summary
Sentinel lymph node (SN) biopsy is a safe and effective method for staging breast cancer, replacing routine axillary clearance in most cases. This technique accurately identifies metastases, allowing omission of further axillary treatment for many patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Surgical Pathology
- Diagnostic Imaging
Context:
- Sentinel lymph node (SN) biopsy is a crucial technique for staging breast cancer.
- Accurate axillary staging is vital for treatment decisions in primary breast cancer.
- Routine axillary lymph node clearance carries morbidity and is not always necessary.
Purpose:
- To report the results of sentinel lymph node biopsy for identifying axillary metastases in breast cancer.
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of SN biopsy as a replacement for routine axillary clearance.
- To assess the rate of axillary recurrence after negative SN biopsy.
Summary:
- Sentinel lymph node (SN) biopsy was performed in 1409 patients with breast cancer or ductal carcinoma in situ grade 3.
- The SN was detected in 90% of operations, with metastases found in 25% of patients.
- Axillary lymph node clearance was omitted in 948 patients due to negative SN findings, with a low local recurrence rate.
Impact:
- Sentinel lymph node biopsy has become the standard procedure, replacing routine axillary clearance for breast cancer staging.
- The method is safe and effective, minimizing unnecessary morbidity associated with axillary dissection.
- Accurate SN staging reduces the number of patients undergoing complete axillary clearance, improving patient outcomes.
