OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate if it is necessary to remove all the radioactive sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) not seen on lymphoscintigraphy in order to accurately stage breast cancer patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From March 1999 to March 2006, SLN biopsy was performed in 461 patients. All patients were only injected with radioisotope. Lymphoscintigraphy was performed in all the patients. The mean number of SLNs removed was 2.1 (range 1-15). RESULTS: The SLN was positive in 133 patients (28.8%). Lymphoscintigraphy accurately predicted the number of SLNs identified intraoperatively in 243 patients (52.7%). In 175 patients (37.9%) there were more SLNs identified intraoperatively than were seen on lymphos cintigraphy. In 11 (6.2%) of these 175 patients, additional SLNs identified intraoperatively harboured metastasis. Type of injection, need for a second injection, tumour location and age were not identified as statistically significantly associated with additional positive SLNs identified intraoperatively and not seen on lymphoscintigraphy. CONCLUSIONS: Lymphoscintigraphy does not accurately predict the number of SLNs identified intraoperatively, this number being underestimated. Surgeons should remove all radioactive SLNs to improve the detection of positive SLNs.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate if it is necessary to remove all the radioactive sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) not seen on lymphoscintigraphy in order to accurately stage breast cancerpatients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From March 1999 to March 2006, SLN biopsy was performed in 461 patients. All patients were only injected with radioisotope. Lymphoscintigraphy was performed in all the patients. The mean number of SLNs removed was 2.1 (range 1-15). RESULTS: The SLN was positive in 133 patients (28.8%). Lymphoscintigraphy accurately predicted the number of SLNs identified intraoperatively in 243 patients (52.7%). In 175 patients (37.9%) there were more SLNs identified intraoperatively than were seen on lymphos cintigraphy. In 11 (6.2%) of these 175 patients, additional SLNs identified intraoperatively harboured metastasis. Type of injection, need for a second injection, tumour location and age were not identified as statistically significantly associated with additional positive SLNs identified intraoperatively and not seen on lymphoscintigraphy. CONCLUSIONS: Lymphoscintigraphy does not accurately predict the number of SLNs identified intraoperatively, this number being underestimated. Surgeons should remove all radioactive SLNs to improve the detection of positive SLNs.
Authors: Todd M Tuttle; Marybeth Colbert; Robert Christensen; Kevin J Ose; Thomas Jones; Robert Wetherille; Joel Friedman; Karen Swenson; Kelly M McMasters Journal: Ann Surg Oncol Date: 2002 Jan-Feb Impact factor: 5.344
Authors: U Veronesi; G Paganelli; V Galimberti; G Viale; S Zurrida; M Bedoni; A Costa; C de Cicco; J G Geraghty; A Luini; V Sacchini; P Veronesi Journal: Lancet Date: 1997-06-28 Impact factor: 79.321
Authors: K M McMasters; S L Wong; R C Martin; C Chao; T M Tuttle; R D Noyes; D J Carlson; A L Laidley; T Q McGlothin; P B Ley; C M Brown; R L Glaser; R E Pennington; P S Turk; D Simpson; P B Cerrito; M J Edwards Journal: Ann Surg Date: 2001-05 Impact factor: 12.969
Authors: M H Doting; L Jansen; O E Nieweg; D A Piers; A T Tiebosch; H S Koops; E J Rutgers; B B Kroon; J L Peterse; R A Olmos; J de Vries Journal: Cancer Date: 2000-06-01 Impact factor: 6.860