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Lymphatic Vessels and Lymph Transport01:16

Lymphatic Vessels and Lymph Transport

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Breast Cancer-related Lymphedema
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Published on: January 12, 2017

Lymphatic drainage patterns from the treated breast.

Iris M C van der Ploeg1, Hester S A Oldenburg, Emiel J T Rutgers

  • 1Department of Surgery, The Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. i.vd.ploeg@nki.nl

Annals of Surgical Oncology
|December 2, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Lymphatic mapping in breast cancer patients with prior treatment shows higher rates of non-identification and extra-axillary drainage. Sentinel node biopsy remains valuable for staging, though long-term sensitivity requires further study.

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Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Surgical Oncology
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Breast cancer treatment can alter lymphatic drainage patterns.
  • Understanding these changes is crucial for accurate lymphatic mapping.
  • Previous studies have described lymphatic drainage, but patterns after treatment require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine lymphatic drainage patterns in breast cancer patients with a history of ipsilateral breast treatment.
  • To assess the implications of altered lymphatic drainage for lymphatic mapping procedures.
  • To compare drainage patterns in previously treated patients versus untreated patients.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective analysis of 115 sentinel node procedures in breast cancer patients with prior ipsilateral breast treatment.
  • Lymphatic drainage patterns were evaluated using preoperative lymphoscintigraphy and sentinel lymph node biopsy.
  • Patients were categorized into subgroups based on their previous treatment modalities.

Main Results:

  • Sentinel lymph nodes were identified in 84% of patients.
  • Drainage to sites outside the axilla (51%) was significantly higher than in untreated patients (33%).
  • The non-identification rate of sentinel nodes (16%) was also significantly higher compared to untreated patients (3.1%).
  • Contralateral axillary drainage occurred in 3.5% of patients.
  • 10% of patients had involved sentinel nodes, with two cases found in the contralateral axilla.

Conclusions:

  • Sentinel lymph node biopsy is feasible in 84% of breast cancer patients with prior breast treatment.
  • Increased rates of non-identification and extra-axillary lymph node metastasis are observed in this patient group.
  • Sentinel node biopsy aids in accurate staging for patients with previously treated breast cancer.
  • Long-term follow-up is necessary to fully establish the sensitivity of sentinel node biopsy in this specific population.