Sentinel lymph node biopsy in operations for recurrent breast cancer.
BACKGROUND
In a pilot prospective consecutive series on 50 patients with recurrent breast cancer, results of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) are reported. The interval between primary operation and recurrence was 8years (range 1-18years). Only three patients had not undergone dissection of the axilla (ALND).


RESULTS
In 51% of patients scintigraphy disclosed sentinel nodes (SN). At operation SN was identified in 45% of patients corresponding to 83% of the SN's visualized by the scintigraphy. SN contained metastases in seven cases (16%), and the treatment plan was changed as a consequence of the SN examination.


CONCLUSIONS
SLNB can identify SN at a high rate, and the findings may influence further planning of treatment. SLNB should be a future standard procedure in operations for recurrent breast cancer. Next step should be a randomized study.
Axelsson
C K
CK
Department of Breast Surgery, Herlev University Hospital, DK-2730 Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark. c.axelsson@dadlnet.dk
Jønsson
P-E
PE
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001365:Axilla; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008408:Mastectomy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D016879:Salvage Therapy; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; D013668:Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D013668:Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin; C083602:technetium Tc 99m nanocolloid