Cost consequences of sentinel lymph node biopsy in the treatment of breast cancer. A preliminary analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB), an alternative to axillary lymph node dissection in treating female breast cancer, affords any cost savings.


METHODS
We profile cumulative treatment costs of 811 breast cancer patients, 555 of whom received SLNB. Univariate and multivariate statistical tests are used to appraise whether these cost profiles differ between SLNB and other patients.


RESULTS
The statistical results are mixed. However, none supports the conjecture that SLNB necessarily lowers the cost of treating the average breast patient.


CONCLUSIONS
SLNB may be cost-effective, but longer term costs and outcomes must be estimated before firm conclusions can be reached.
Chirikos
T N
TN
Center for Health Outcomes Research, University of South Florida, USA.
Berman
C G
CG
Luther
S L
SL
Clark
R A
RA
D001365:Axilla / Q000473:pathology; D001706:Biopsy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000191:economics / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000145:classification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012044:Regression Analysis; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy / Q000191:economics*; D013673:Technology Assessment, Biomedical / Q000191:economics; D014481:United States