BACKGROUND: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy examination is an accepted method of staging breast cancer patients. SLN biopsy examination in patients with drainage to the internal mammary chain (IMC) nodes is controversial. METHODS: A prospective study of SLN biopsy examination followed by axillary dissection was analyzed to determine how surgeons manage patients with IMC drainage and the rates of axillary SLN identification and positivity in these cases. RESULTS: Lymphoscintigraphy was performed in 2196 (53.2%) of the 4131 patients in this study. IMC drainage was noted in 80 patients (3.6%). An axillary SLN was identified in 29 of the 40 patients with IMC drainage alone (72.5%). The rate of finding a positive axillary lymph node did not differ based on the lymphoscintigraphic pattern (P = .470). CONCLUSIONS: Most surgeons do not perform IMC SLN biopsy procedures. Even when lymphoscintigraphy shows isolated drainage to IMC nodes, axillary SLNs usually are identified. Lymphoscintigraphy therefore has limited usefulness.
BACKGROUND: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy examination is an accepted method of staging breast cancerpatients. SLN biopsy examination in patients with drainage to the internal mammary chain (IMC) nodes is controversial. METHODS: A prospective study of SLN biopsy examination followed by axillary dissection was analyzed to determine how surgeons manage patients with IMC drainage and the rates of axillary SLN identification and positivity in these cases. RESULTS: Lymphoscintigraphy was performed in 2196 (53.2%) of the 4131 patients in this study. IMC drainage was noted in 80 patients (3.6%). An axillary SLN was identified in 29 of the 40 patients with IMC drainage alone (72.5%). The rate of finding a positive axillary lymph node did not differ based on the lymphoscintigraphic pattern (P = .470). CONCLUSIONS: Most surgeons do not perform IMC SLN biopsy procedures. Even when lymphoscintigraphy shows isolated drainage to IMC nodes, axillary SLNs usually are identified. Lymphoscintigraphy therefore has limited usefulness.
Authors: Amanda L Kong; Welela Tereffe; Kelly K Hunt; Min Yi; Taewoo Kang; Kimberly Weatherspoon; Elizabeth A Mittendorf; Isabelle Bedrosian; Rosa F Hwang; Gildy V Babiera; Thomas A Buchholz; Funda Meric-Bernstam Journal: Cancer Date: 2012-05-30 Impact factor: 6.860
Authors: Ted A James; Alex R Coffman; Anees B Chagpar; Judy C Boughey; V Suzanne Klimberg; Monica Morrow; Armando E Giuliano; Seth P Harlow Journal: Ann Surg Oncol Date: 2016-07-21 Impact factor: 5.344
Authors: Regina M Fearmonti; Isis W Gayed; Edmund Kim; Isabelle Bedrosian; Kelly K Hunt; Funda Meric-Bernstam; Barry Feig; Elham Ghonimi; Carla Warneke; Gildy V Babiera Journal: Ann Surg Oncol Date: 2009-08-13 Impact factor: 5.344
Authors: Borys R Krynyckyi; Michail K Shafir; Suk Chul Kim; Dong Wook Kim; Arlene Travis; Renee M Moadel; Chun K Kim Journal: Int Semin Surg Oncol Date: 2005-11-08