Pilot study on sentinel node biopsy in breast cancer.
OBJECTIVE
Sentinel node biopsy (SNB) in breast cancer using indigo carmine was started in January 1998, and this method has proved feasible and reliable. From our initial experience, sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) were identified in 65 of 88 cases of breast cancer (74%).


METHODS
Lymphatic mapping in breast cancer was assessed using radionuclide, technetium-99m human serum albumin or technetium-99m tin colloid. A pilot study on SNB with dye or a combined method was performed between August 1998 and January 1999.


RESULTS
SLNs were identified in 55 of 59 cases (93%). False-negative SLNs were found in 2 cases. The sensitivity and accuracy in all cases were 92% and 96%. SLNs in 52 cases were also diagnosed by immediate frozen sectioning. The sensitivity and accuracy were 89% and 96%.


CONCLUSIONS
SNB in the combined method was the best way to identify SLNs in breast cancer.
Imoto
S
S
Division of Breast Surgery, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan. simoto@east.ncc.go.jp
Fukukita
H
H
Murakami
K
K
Ikeda
H
H
Moriyama
N
N
D001365:Axilla; D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007203:Indigo Carmine; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010865:Pilot Projects
D007203:Indigo Carmine