title: Sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. A pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLN) seems to represent a reliable method for early breast cancer staging, offering an alternative to complete axillary dissection.
  
  
  METHODS
  The identification of sentinel node(s), their localization and the predictive capacity of SLN were analysed in 42 patients who had neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer. Dextran labelled with (99m)Tc was injected close to the tumor. The radioactive uptake in the axilla was detected by scintigraphic images and by a hand-held probe guided the SLN.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One or more sentinel nodes were identified in 41 patients (97.6%). We could accurately predict axillary lymph nodes status in 93% of the cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SLN can predict the status of the axilla in patients who have received primary chemotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of São Paulo Medical School, Brazil. piato@uol.com.br
authors.forename: José Roberto M
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Piato
authors.forename: Alfredo Carlos S D
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Barros
authors.forename: Kátia M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Pincerato
authors.forename: Ana Paula Q
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Sampaio
authors.forename: José Aristodemo
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Pinotti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001365:Axilla; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D018275:Carcinoma, Lobular / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003911:Dextrans; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008875:Middle Aged; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D015609:Organotechnetium Compounds; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
chemical_list: D003911:Dextrans; D015609:Organotechnetium Compounds; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; C034146:technetium Tc 99m dextran; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide