Isotope-Only Localization for Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy - Medium-Term Oncological Outcomes.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Surgical Pathology
• Radiopharmaceuticals

Background:

• Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is crucial for breast cancer staging.
• Dual localization with isotope and blue dye offers high success rates but carries risks of adverse reactions.
• Alternative methods are sought to improve patient safety without compromising diagnostic accuracy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of isotope-only SLN localization.
• To compare the outcomes of isotope-only SLNB with the established dual-modality technique.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of electronic records for patients undergoing isotope-only SLN localization from July 2010 to April 2012.
• Data collection focused on localization rates and long-term oncological outcomes.

Main Results:

• A high isotope-only localization rate of 97.4% was achieved in 426 patients.
• Over a median follow-up of 63.5 months, the axillary recurrence rate was low at 1.4%.
• In-breast recurrence, distant disease, and contralateral breast cancer rates were 2.8%, 7%, and 1.9%, respectively.

Conclusions:

• Isotope-only SLNB is a feasible and safe alternative to dual isotope/blue dye localization.
• It achieves comparable localization rates while mitigating risks associated with blue dye.
• Long-term oncological outcomes, including a low axillary recurrence rate, support its use in breast cancer management.