CLINICAL STUDY OF SENTINEL LYMPH NODE BIOPSY FOR BREAST CANCER / 解放军医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the necessity, feasibility, accuracy and clinical value of sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy (SLNB) in early breast cancer. Methods In 32 cases with early breast cancer, sentinel lymph nodes identified by liposomes methylence blue mixture were excised for biopsy. The patients then received operations for breast cancer, including axillary lymph nodes dissection. SLN and avillary lymph nodes (ALN) were separately examined histopathologically. Results SLN was identified in 31 cases, success rate was 96.9%. In 9 of the 31 patients, SLN was positive for metastasis, in 22 of the 31 patients, SLN was negative for metastasis. In 10 of 32 patients, ALN was positive for metastasis, and in 22 of 32 patients, ALN was negative for metastasis. The sensitivity rate of SLNB was 90%, The accuracy rate of SLN was 93.8%, with a false negative rate of 10% and a false positive rate of zero. Conclusion The SLN biopsy can accurately predict the axillary metastasis for patients with breast cancer. Liposomes methylenc blue mixture tracing may increase the success rate of SLNB.