TY - JOUR
T1 - Sentinel lymph node biopsy, an alternative to elective axillary dissection for breast cancer
AU - Nwariaku, Fiemu E.
AU - Euhus, David M.
AU - Beitsch, Peter D.
AU - Clifford, Edward
AU - Erdman, William
AU - Mathews, Dana
AU - Albores-Saavedra, Jorge
AU - Leitch, Marilyn A.
AU - Peters, George N.
PY - 1998
Y1 - 1998
N2 - BACKGROUND: Axillary metastases remain an important prognostic indicator in breast cancer. Axillary lymphadenectomy (ALND) carries significant morbidity and is unnecessary in most patients with early breast cancer; thus, sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy has been advocated for axillary staging. We studied the SLN identification rate and its accuracy in predicting axillary metastases. METHODS: One hundred nineteen women with breast carcinoma underwent SLN and ALND. Lymphoscintigraphy was performed using Technetium99 sulfur colloid supplemented by Isosulfan blue dye. Hematoxylin/eosin-stained lymph node sections were examined by light microscopy. RESULTS: The SLN identification rate was 81%. One SLN was negative (1%) in a patient with axillary disease. SLN histology correctly predicted the absence of axillary disease in 98.6%. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 96%, 100%, 100%, and 99%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Sentinel lymph node biopsy accurately predicts total axillary status and is valuable in the surgical staging of breast cancer.
AB - BACKGROUND: Axillary metastases remain an important prognostic indicator in breast cancer. Axillary lymphadenectomy (ALND) carries significant morbidity and is unnecessary in most patients with early breast cancer; thus, sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy has been advocated for axillary staging. We studied the SLN identification rate and its accuracy in predicting axillary metastases. METHODS: One hundred nineteen women with breast carcinoma underwent SLN and ALND. Lymphoscintigraphy was performed using Technetium99 sulfur colloid supplemented by Isosulfan blue dye. Hematoxylin/eosin-stained lymph node sections were examined by light microscopy. RESULTS: The SLN identification rate was 81%. One SLN was negative (1%) in a patient with axillary disease. SLN histology correctly predicted the absence of axillary disease in 98.6%. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 96%, 100%, 100%, and 99%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Sentinel lymph node biopsy accurately predicts total axillary status and is valuable in the surgical staging of breast cancer.
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U2 - 10.1016/S0002-9610(98)00276-1
DO - 10.1016/S0002-9610(98)00276-1
M3 - Article
C2 - 9926784
AN - SCOPUS:0032427713
SN - 0002-9610
VL - 176
SP - 529
EP - 531
JO - American journal of surgery
JF - American journal of surgery
IS - 6
ER -