Breast cancer cells in the afferent lymphatic tracts of sentinel lymph nodes.
BACKGROUND
To identify breast cancer cells in the afferent lymphatic tracts of axillary sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs).


METHODS
The authors performed a prospective study of 1 00 breast cancer patients who underwent SLN biopsy between June 2009 and January 2010. The afferent lymphatic tracts of SLNs were identified by isosulfan blue or radiocolloid or both and were examined histologically.


RESULTS
One hundred three SLNs and afferent lymphatic tracts were examined. The mean age of the patients was 53.2 years (range, 24 to 78 years). The median number of SLNs was 2 (range, 1 to 7). Twenty-four (24%) patients had positive SLNs. Most patients had stage I breast cancer (67%). Three patients with positive SLNs (13%) and stages IIB-IIIC breast cancers had tumor cells in the afferent tract tissue. There were no tumor cells in the afferent tracts of negative SLNs.


CONCLUSIONS
Only a small proportion of operable breast cancer patients have tumor cells in the afferent lymphatic tract tissue of SLNs. There was a probable trend for more advanced stage breast cancer to harbor tumor cells in the afferent lymphatic tract tissue.
Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Prakasit
P
Chirappapha
Kampol
K
Ratchaworapong
Sansanee
S
Wongwaisayawan
Panuwat
P
Lertsithichai
Ronnarat
R
Suvikapakornkul
Yodying
Y
Wasuthit
Youwanush
Y
Kongdan
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001365:Axilla; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy