Can interpectoral nodes be sentinel nodes?
BACKGROUND
This study was designed to determine if interpectoral nodes could be sentinel nodes for some breast cancers.


METHODS
Thirty-five consecutive breast cancer patients undergoing axillary node dissection had a dissection of the interpectoral nodes. These were sent to pathology as a separate specimen.


RESULTS
Three patients were identified with isolated interpectoral nodal metastasis.


CONCLUSIONS
In upper quadrants or deep breast cancers the interpectoral nodes may be the earliest site of nodal metastasis. This may lead to false negative results in some sentinel node biopsies.
Bale
A
A
Department of Surgery and Pathology, UMDNJ New Jersey Medical School, Newark, USA.
Gardner
B
B
Shende
M
M
Fromowitz
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001365:Axilla; D001706:Biopsy; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity