Value of sentinel lymph node biopsy in early breast cancer

ABSTRACT

Between November 1999 and March 2001, 20 patients with early breast cancer underwent sentinel lymphadenectomy [SLND] followed by Completion Axillary Dissection [CAD]. All sentinel lymph nodes were examined with frozen section followed postoperatively with hematoxylin and eosin staining. Negative SLN were examined immunohistochemically. The results were compared with nonsentinel nodes in axillary lymphadenectomy specimens from each patient. The SLN was successfully identified in 70% of the procedures. There was a clear learning curve. The SLN accurately identified the axillary node status in 43% with a false negative result in one case [7%]. The technique is an evolving one and in the future with increased familiarity with SLND, it would be possible to identify those patients in whom axillary lymph node dissection [ALND] and its associated morbidity may be avoided