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Updated: Jul 7, 2026

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Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping and Biopsy for Endometrial Cancer at Early Stage with Laparoscopy
Published on: August 19, 2021
Stage migration due to introduction of the sentinel node procedure: a population-based study
A J G Maaskant1, L V van de Poll-Franse, A C Voogd
1Department of Surgery, Catharina Hospital, PO Box 1350, 5602 ZA Eindhoven, The Netherlands. sabrinamaaskant@gmail.com
Breast Cancer Research and Treatment
|February 9, 2008
Summary
The introduction of sentinel node biopsy (SNB) for breast cancer staging increased the detection of micrometastases. This led to stage migration, with a higher probability of positive lymph nodes after adjusting for other factors.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Sentinel node biopsy (SNB) is an axillary staging procedure for breast cancer.
- SNB may cause upstaging (due to micrometastases) or downstaging (due to false negatives).
- Investigated the impact of SNB on axillary nodal micrometastases and stage migration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if SNB introduction altered micrometastasis incidence.
- To assess if SNB induced stage migration in breast cancer patients.
- To analyze population-based data on axillary staging changes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Eindhoven Cancer Registry (1994-2005).
- Included 17,100 women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer.
- Analyzed trends in SNB use, micrometastasis, and lymph node positivity.
Main Results:
- SNB use rose from 0% to 62% between 1994 and 2005.
- Micrometastasis detection increased from 1.0% to 4.3% (P<0.0001).
- Adjusted analysis showed a 10% higher probability of positive lymph nodes and 3.5x higher risk of micrometastases post-SNB introduction.
Conclusions:
- SNB introduction in the Netherlands led to stage migration.
- This is evidenced by a significant increase in positive lymph nodes.
- Adjustments for tumor size and age confirm the impact of SNB on staging.
