Subareolar injection of radioactive colloid for sentinel lymph node identification in breast cancer patients.
Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is becoming the standard for staging the axilla in breast cancer patients in many institutions. The best method of injection is still questionable. The purpose of this study was to compare the results of SLNB using the peritumoral or the subareolar injection site. Between December 1997 and March 2000, we performed 100 SLNBs. Technecium-labeled colloidal human serum albumin was injected peritumorally (Group A, 31 patients; Group B, 31 patients) or subareolarly (Group C, 38 patients). Patent blue dye was given periareolarly (Group A) or peritumorally (Groups B and C). Preoperative lymphoscintigraphy was performed in all patients. SLNB was successful in 94 patients (94%). The identification rate improved from 80 per cent (first 25 patients) to 99 per cent (last 75). The subareolar injection of the colloid did not adversely influence the results of SLNB compared with the peritumoral injection (identification rate, 100% vs 97%; false negative rate, 6% vs 14%). The subareolar injection of colloid is a simple and at least as accurate technique as the peritumoral one. This technique can also improve the identification rate of SLNB for breast cancer patients.
Department of Surgery, National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, Hungary.
Gábor
G
Péley
István
I
Sinkovics
József
J
Tóth
Emil
E
Farkas
Sándor
S
Keresztes
István
I
Köves
D001365:Axilla; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D003102:Colloids; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013667:Technetium / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D003102:Colloids; D012709:Serum Albumin; D013667:Technetium