OBJECTIVE: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in breast cancer patients is emerging as a promising minimally-invasive tool. There has been an exponential increase in the literature related to sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) in breast cancer patients, mainly from Western centres. This study was carried out to address issues relevant to breast cancer patients in developing countries, including the method of SLN detection, the role of imprint cytology in the assessment of SLN, and the role of SLNB in locally advanced breast cancer (LABC). METHODS: This study included 76 women with breast cancer. The blue-dye method was used to identify the sentinel node. Touch imprint smears were prepared from the sectioned node, stained using the Jenner-Geimsa technique, and examined for tumour deposits. RESULTS: Sentinel nodes were identified in 69 of 76 patients. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of SLNB in predicting axillary node status were 84.2%, 100% and 91.3%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of intraoperative imprint cytology were 96.9%, 100% and 98.6%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These results prove that high levels of SLN detection can be achieved using the blue-dye method alone. Its role in LABC patients needs further evaluation. In view of promising results, imprint cytology should be used more frequently as an alternative to frozen section for the assessment of sentinel nodes.
OBJECTIVE: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in breast cancerpatients is emerging as a promising minimally-invasive tool. There has been an exponential increase in the literature related to sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) in breast cancerpatients, mainly from Western centres. This study was carried out to address issues relevant to breast cancerpatients in developing countries, including the method of SLN detection, the role of imprint cytology in the assessment of SLN, and the role of SLNB in locally advanced breast cancer (LABC). METHODS: This study included 76 women with breast cancer. The blue-dye method was used to identify the sentinel node. Touch imprint smears were prepared from the sectioned node, stained using the Jenner-Geimsa technique, and examined for tumour deposits. RESULTS: Sentinel nodes were identified in 69 of 76 patients. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of SLNB in predicting axillary node status were 84.2%, 100% and 91.3%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of intraoperative imprint cytology were 96.9%, 100% and 98.6%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These results prove that high levels of SLN detection can be achieved using the blue-dye method alone. Its role in LABC patients needs further evaluation. In view of promising results, imprint cytology should be used more frequently as an alternative to frozen section for the assessment of sentinel nodes.
Authors: Mohammed Keshtgar; John J Zaknun; Durre Sabih; Graciela Lago; Charles E Cox; Stanley P L Leong; Giuliano Mariani Journal: World J Surg Date: 2011-06 Impact factor: 3.352
Authors: S P Somashekhar; S Zaveri Shabber; K Udupa Venkatesh; K Venkatachala; M M Vasan Thirumalai Journal: Indian J Surg Date: 2008-07-24 Impact factor: 0.656