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Sentinel node localization in patients with breast cancer
M M Flett1, J J Going, P D Stanton
1University Department of Surgery, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, UK.
The British Journal of Surgery
|August 6, 1998
Summary
Sentinel lymph node biopsy accurately predicts breast cancer axillary node status in 95% of cases. This technique can help avoid unnecessary axillary dissection for node-negative patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Sentinel lymph node identification is a technique to potentially avoid axillary clearance morbidity in breast cancer patients.
- This pilot study aimed to assess the reliability of sentinel node biopsy for predicting axillary lymph node status.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the accuracy of sentinel lymph node biopsy in determining axillary lymph node involvement in breast cancer patients.
- To establish the reliability of sentinel node identification in predicting the need for formal axillary dissection.
Main Methods:
- Sixty-eight breast cancer patients underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy using Patent Blue dye injection.
- The sentinel node was identified, removed for frozen-section and routine histology, followed by completion axillary dissection.
Main Results:
- A sentinel lymph node was successfully identified in 82% of patients.
- Sentinel node histology accurately predicted axillary node status in 95% of cases, with a sensitivity of 83% and specificity of 100%.
- Three false negatives occurred, each with only a single non-sentinel node positive for tumor.
Conclusions:
- Sentinel lymph node biopsy is a reliable technique for predicting axillary node status in breast cancer.
- This method allows for selective axillary dissection only in node-positive patients.
- Further experience and refinement of the technique are recommended.