Injection of (99m)Tc-labeled sulfur colloid the day before operation for breast cancer sentinel lymph node mapping is as successful as injection the day of operation.
BACKGROUND
We investigated whether the timing of injection of (99m)Tc-labeled sulfur colloid (radiocolloid) significantly influenced the success of breast cancer sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping.


METHODS
Review of a prospective SLN database. Five hundred forty-six consecutive breast SLN mapping patients were analyzed. A dual radiocolloid/blue dye technique was used in all patients.


RESULTS
The SLN identification rate was similar among those patients injected the day prior (100%) and those injected the day of operation (99%, P = 0.14). A "hot" SLN was identified in 99% of patients injected the day prior and in 97% (P = 0.17) injected the day of operation. The mean number of SLNs was greater among those injected the day prior (2.71) than among those injected the day of operation (2.33, P = 0.01). There were no differences in the rates of SLN metastases.


CONCLUSIONS
Radiocolloid injection the day before operation is an acceptable and logistically advantageous technique for breast cancer SLN mapping.
Gray
Richard J
RJ
Department of Surgery, Section of Surgical Oncology, CB Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ 85259, USA. gray.richard@mayo.edu
Pockaj
Barbara A
BA
Roarke
Michael C
MC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008408:Mastectomy / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D011336:Probability; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy / Q000379:methods*; D013671:Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid; D013997:Time Factors
D013671:Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid