Staged sentinel lymph node biopsy before mastectomy facilitates surgical planning for breast cancer patients

BACKGROUND: In patients with breast cancer who choose mastectomy with immediate reconstruction, the sentinel lymph node (SLN) status on permanent histology may complicate treatment if a metastasis is found. The purpose of this study was to determine how performing an SLN biopsy (SLNB) before the definitive operation would influence subsequent surgical procedures. METHODS: Our SLN database was searched for patients who underwent staged SLNB with subsequent mastectomy between 2001 and 2004. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients with 27 breast cancers underwent SLNB before mastectomy. Of them, 9 of 27 (33%) were node positive. All 9 patients underwent modified radical mastectomy. Three node-positive patients did not undergo immediate reconstruction. Of the remaining 6 node-positive patients, 5 underwent reconstruction with autologous tissue rather than a tissue expander. In contrast, 6 of 16 (37%) node-negative patients underwent reconstruction with a tissue expander. CONCLUSIONS: Staged SLNB assists in selecting the appropriate operation in patients who are considering immediate reconstruction.     

The association of cytokeratin-only-positive sentinel lymph nodes and subsequent metastases in breast cancer

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to better characterize the clinical significance of cytokeratin immunohistochemistry (IHC)-only-positive lymph node metastases among patients with breast cancer. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 334 patients who underwent sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy from 1 February 1997 through 31 July 2001. SLN biopsies were evaluated using standard hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) techniques. If H&E was negative, cytokeratin IHC was performed. We then evaluated the incidence of subsequent regional and distant metastatic disease. RESULTS: Cytokeratin IHC was performed on 183 sentinel node biopsies from 180 patients comprising a total of 427 sentinel lymph nodes. The procedures included lumpectomy and SLN biopsy (n = 83), mastectomy with SLN biopsy (n = 7), lumpectomy with SLN biopsy and completion axillary dissection (n = 80), and modified radical mastectomy with SLN biopsy and completion axillary dissection (n = 13). Cytokeratin IHC was negative in 175 axillary specimens and positive in 8 (4.4%) from 8 different patients. In these eight specimens, deeper sections with subsequent H&E staining additionally identified micrometastasis in four patients. Three of these 8 patients (37.5%) developed distant metastatic disease compared with 1 of the 172 patients (0.6%) with negative cytokeratin IHC (P < .001). Additionally, one of the cytokeratin-positive patients developed regional nodal metastasis compared with none of the 172 cytokeratin-negative patients. CONCLUSIONS: Cytokeratin IHC provides a clinically relevant adjunct to H&E staining for evaluating sentinel lymph nodes in breast cancer. These data suggest that patients with cytokeratin-positive sentinel nodes are at increased risk for development of regional and distant metastatic disease.     

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy for Risk‐Reducing Mastectomy

Risk‐reducing mastectomy (RRM) confers 90–95% decreased risk of breast cancer, and may reduce mortality, especially in high‐risk groups such as BRCA carriers. Risk of occult disease in RRM specimen is ~5%. This demands axillary staging: sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is no longer possible, axillary clearance confers significant risks and may prove negative. Contemporaneous SLN biopsy allows axillary staging with minimal further dissection. Women undergoing RRM and SLN biopsy between June 2005 and July 2010 were reviewed retrospectively from our prospectively maintained database of 1,522 SLN procedures in 1,498 patients. SLN(s) localized using routine tracer methods. SLNs and mastectomy specimens underwent routine histologic examination. Eighty‐three RRMs with SLN biopsy were performed in 71 patients (12 bilateral). Indications for RRM: contralateral invasive (55), in situ (5) disease, BRCA 1/2 mutation (12), and strong family history (10). Mean number of SLNs: 1.35. Occult disease was detected in four cases (4.8%), with one case of occult invasive lobular carcinoma (1.2%). Remaining occult disease was lobular in situ neoplasia (LISN). SLNs were negative in all cases. Our findings are comparable to those in the literature: 4.8% rate of occult disease overall, 1.2% invasive. The significant risk with SLN biopsy is lymphoedema, quoted around 7%. We have had no reports of symptomatic lymphoedema in patients undergoing RRM and SLN biopsy. We propose that SLN at the time of mastectomy requires only limited further dissection, and confers minimal risk compared with secondary axillary surgery.     

Mastectomy and concomitant sentinel lymph node biopsy for invasive breast cancer

BACKGROUND: Although sentinel lymph node biopsy (SNLB) has become a standard ancillary to breast conservation, there remains a hesitancy to perform SLNB concomitant with mastectomy primarily because of concerns regarding reoperation for a positive SLN. METHODS: A retrospective review of 51 patients who underwent SLN biopsy concomitantly with mastectomy for invasive breast cancer was performed. In addition, a survey was sent to surgical oncologists who routinely perform SLNB in conjunction with mastectomy. RESULTS: The SLN was identified in 98% of patients, and an average of 2.4 SLNs/patient were removed. The SLN was positive in 14 patients (27%). Ten patients underwent axillary lymph node dissection as a second procedure; an average of 15.4 +/- 6 nodes were cleared, and there were no complications. Although techniques vary greatly among surgeons, the majority believe that a subsequent ALND procedure does not carry additional risk of morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: Mastectomy and concomitant SLNB is a safe option for well-selected breast cancer patients. Results appear acceptable using a variety of techniques. Patients with a positive SLN can safely undergo completion axillary lymph node dissections. This includes patients who have undergone immediate reconstruction, but proper planning is needed to minimize potential risks.     

Feasibility of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Through an Inframammary Incision for a Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy

Background  Nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) via an inframammary (IM) incision has been described for selected patients with breast cancer. However, the application of sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping via an IM incision for NSM has yet to be reported. The objective of this study is to determine the technical feasibility of performing SLN through an IM incision without making an axillary counterincision. Methods  We retrospectively reviewed our single-institutional experience with SLN biopsy and NSM through IM incisions between January 2006 and March 2008. Clinicopathologic factors were analyzed regarding indications, technical details, postoperative morbidity, and follow-up. Results  Fifty-two patients underwent 87 NSM through an IM incision (17 unilateral, 35 bilateral) with immediate reconstruction and SLN biopsy. Indications for surgery included invasive breast cancer (n = 21), ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) (n = 18), and prophylactic (n = 48). Mean tumor size of invasive carcinoma was 2.1 cm. The mean mastectomy specimen weight was 437 g. Subareolar injection consisted of blue dye (n = 43), technetium sulfur colloid (n = 2), or combination injection (n = 42). SLN biopsy through an IM incision was successfully performed in 84 of 87 cases (96.6%). A mean of 2.8 SLN were removed with a positive sentinel node encountered in 8 of 21 patients (38%) with invasive cancer. No complications were observed regarding the SLN portion of the operation. With a median follow-up of 6.5 months (range, 0.4–23 months), there have been no axillary local recurrences. Conclusion  SLN biopsy can be performed through an IM incision during a NSM, avoiding a secondary axillary incision.     

Frequency of sentinel lymph node metastases in patients with favorable breast cancer histologic subtypes

BACKGROUND: The need for axillary nodal staging in favorable histologic subtypes of breast cancer is controversial. METHODS: Patients with clinical stage T1-2, N0 breast cancer were enrolled in a prospective, multi-institutional study. All patients underwent sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy followed by completion level I/II axillary dissection. RESULTS: SLN were identified in 3,106 of 3,324 patients (93%). Axillary metastases were found in 35% and 40% of patients with infiltrating ductal carcinoma and infiltrating lobular carcinoma, respectively. Among tumor subtypes, positive nodes were found in 17% of patients with pure tubular carcinoma, 7% of patients with papillary cancer, 6% of patients with colloid (mucinous) carcinoma, 21% of patients with medullary carcinoma, and 8% of patients with DCIS with microinvasion. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with favorable breast cancer subtypes have a significant rate of axillary nodal metastasis. Axillary nodal staging remains important in such patients; SLN biopsy is an ideal method to obtain this staging information.     

Relapse and morbidity in patients undergoing sentinel lymph node biopsy alone or with axillary dissection for breast cancer

HYPOTHESIS: Axillary relapse in node-negative patients staged with sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy alone is no more frequent than in patients treated with standard axillary dissection. Morbidity is less for patients who had SLN biopsy.Design, Setting, and PATIENTS: Between October 14, 1997, and August 31, 2001, 1253 consecutive women with primary invasive breast cancer were prospectively entered into an SLN biopsy database. Completion axillary dissection was performed in 164 patients after SLN biopsy as part of a training protocol. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were contacted by questionnaire or telephone to determine breast cancer relapse; presence of arm lymphedema, arm pain, axillary infection, or seroma formation; and tumor recurrence or death. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: chi2 or Fisher exact tests and Wilcoxon rank sum tests were used to analyze categorical and continuous variables. Logistic regression was used to analyze morbidity. RESULTS: Of 1253 women, 894 (71%) were node negative by SLN biopsy alone (n = 730 [82%]) or SLN biopsy and completion axillary dissection (n = 164 [18%]). Questionnaires were completed by 776 patients (87%). Mean +/- SD follow-up was 2.4 +/- 0.9 years. Patients with axillary dissections reported a significantly higher occurrence of arm lymphedema (34%), arm pain (38%), seroma formation (24%), and infection (9%) vs SLN biopsy-only patients (6%, 14%, 7%, and 3%, respectively). One axillary relapse (0.1%) occurred during follow-up of 685 women who underwent SLN biopsy only. CONCLUSIONS: With intermediate-term follow-up, there was 1 axillary recurrence in 685 SLN node-negative women, supporting use of SLN biopsy as an accurate method for staging breast cancer. Biopsy of the SLN was associated with significantly less morbidity than completion axillary dissection.     

Factors impacting the accuracy of intra‐operative evaluation of sentinel lymph nodes in breast cancer

Sentinel lymph node dissection (SLND) is a standard axillary staging technique in breast cancer and intraoperative sentinel lymph node (SLN) assessment is important for decision‐making regarding additional treatment and reconstruction. This study was undertaken to investigate clinicopathologic factors impacting the accuracy of intraoperative SLN evaluation. Records of patients with clinically node‐negative, invasive breast cancer who underwent SLND with frozen section intraoperative pathologic evaluation from 2004 to 2007 were reviewed. Intraoperative SLN assessment results were compared to final pathology. Patients with positive SLNs that were initially reported as negative during intraoperative assessment were considered false negative (FN) events. Primary tumor histology, grade, receptor status, size, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), multifocality, neoadjuvant chemotherapy or hormonal therapy, number of SLNs retrieved, and SLN metastasis size were evaluated. The study included 681 patients, of whom 262 (38%) received neoadjuvant therapy. There were 183 (27%) patients who had a positive SLN on final pathology, of whom 60 (33%) had FN events. On univariate analysis, lobular histology, favorable histology, absence of LVI and micrometastasis were associated with a higher FN rate. On multivariate analysis, favorable and lobular histology and micrometastasis were independent predictors of FN events whereas LVI and receipt of neoadjuvant therapy were not statistically significant predictors. The accuracy of intraoperative SLN evaluation for breast cancer is affected by primary tumor histology and size of the SLN metastasis. There was no significant association between neoadjuvant therapy and the FN rate by intraoperative assessment. This information may be helpful in counseling patients about their risk for a FN intraoperative SLN assessment and for planning for immediate breast reconstruction in patients undergoing mastectomy.     

Pre‐mastectomy Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy: A Strategy to Enhance Outcomes in Immediate Breast Reconstruction

The pre‐mastectomy sentinel lymph node biopsy (PM‐SLNB) is a technique that provides knowledge regarding nodal status prior to mastectomy. Because radiation exposure is associated with poor outcomes in breast reconstruction and reconstructed breasts can interfere with the planning and delivery of radiation therapy (RT), information regarding nodal status has important implications for patients who desire immediate breast reconstruction. This study explores the safety and utility of PM‐SLNB as part of the treatment strategy for breast cancer patients desiring immediate reconstruction. We reviewed the charts of adult patients (≥18 years old) who underwent PM‐SLNB from January 2004 to January 2011 at our institution. PM‐SLNB was offered to patients with stage I or IIa, clinically and/or radiographically node‐negative breast cancer who desired immediate breast reconstruction following mastectomy. PM‐SLNB was also offered to patients with ductal carcinoma in situ if features concerning for invasive carcinoma were present. Ninety‐one patients underwent PM‐SLNB of 94 axillae. PM‐SLNB was positive in 25.5% of breasts (n = 24). Nineteen node‐positive patients (79.2%) have undergone or planning to undergo delayed reconstruction at our institution. Seventeen of these 19 node‐positive patients (89.5%) have received adjuvant RT. Two patients (10.5%) elected against RT despite our recommendation for it. No biopsy‐positive patient underwent immediate reconstruction or suffered a radiation‐induced complication with their breast reconstruction. There were two minor complications associated with PM‐SLNB, both in node‐negative patients. This study demonstrates the utility of PM‐SLNB in providing information regarding nodal status, and therefore the need for adjuvant RT, prior to mastectomy. This knowledge can be used to appropriately counsel patients regarding optimal timing of breast reconstruction.     

Two-year follow-up of areola-sparing mastectomy with immediate reconstruction

OBJECTIVE: Areola-sparing mastectomy (ASM) is defined as resecting the nipple and any existing surgical biopsy scar, removing all breast parenchyma, and leaving a natural envelope of skin (including the areola), which improves the aesthetic result of immediate reconstruction. We previously demonstrated a <1% incidence of malignant involvement of the areola in a retrospective mastectomy series. Subsequently, we performed ASM on selected patients undergoing mastectomy. We report here our results from an ongoing study of ASM at our institution. METHODS: During a 20-month period, 17 ASMs with immediate reconstruction were performed on 12 patients. Patients were followed-up prospectively by the surgical oncologist for complications and recurrence. RESULTS: ASM was performed for breast cancer prophylaxis (n = 10), ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) (n = 4), and <2-cm peripheral infiltrating carcinoma (n = 3). The mean patient age was 47.7 years (range 37 to 61). Thirteen patients were reconstructed with tissue expanders and 4 with pedicle transverse rectus abdominus myocutaneous flaps. Ten patients underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy. None of the ten patients showed sentinel lymph node metastasis. Two patients with DCIS and microinvasion underwent subareolar touch-prep cytology, both of which were negative for malignancy. All mastectomy specimens had negative histologic margins. No patient received chemotherapy or radiation therapy. One postoperative consisted of a localized wound infection that resolved with oral antibiotics. At a median follow-up of 24 months (range 11 to 28), there were no instances of local or distant recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, we found that ASM with immediate reconstruction provides excellent aesthetic results with infrequent complications. Furthermore, in this small series we showed no recurrence at 2 years. We continue to offer ASM for selected patients including those desiring surgical breast cancer prophylaxis as well as those with DCIS or small peripheral infiltrating ductal carcinoma.     

The effect of prior breast biopsy method and concurrent definitive breast procedure on success and accuracy of sentinel lymph node biopsy

Background It has been suggested that sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy for breast cancer may be less accurate after excisional biopsy of the primary tumor compared with core needle biopsy. Furthermore, some have suggested an improved ability to identify the SLN when total mastectomy is performed compared with lumpectomy. This analysis was performed to determine the impact of the type of breast biopsy (needle vs. excisional) or definitive surgical procedure (lumpectomy vs. mastectomy) on the accuracy of SLN biopsy. Methods The University of Louisville Breast Cancer Sentinel Lymph Node Study is a prospective multi-institutional study. Patients with clinical stage T1–2, N0 breast cancer were eligible. All patients underwent SLN biopsy and completion level I/II axillary dissection. Statistical comparison was performed by χ² analysis. Results A total of 2206 patients were enrolled in the study. There were no statistically significant differences in SLN identification rate or false-negative rate between patients undergoing excisional versus needle biopsy. The SLN identification and false-negative rates also were not statistically different between patients who had total mastectomy compared with those who had a lumpectomy. Conclusions Excisional biopsy does not significantly affect the accuracy of SLN biopsy, nor does the type of definitive surgical procedure. Presented at the 54th Annual Meeting of the Society of Surgical Oncology, Washington, DC, March 15–18, 2001.     

Value of sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast ductal carcinoma in situ upstaged to invasive carcinoma

Abstract:  The role of sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy in patients with initial diagnosis of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is still a dilemma. Different studies are trying to define predicting factors of invasive cancer in DCIS. The aim of this study was to confirm the value of SLN biopsy in DCIS because of the invasive upstaging risk on final histology. Patients with initial diagnosis of DCIS and with axillary SLN biopsy were selected. All diagnoses were confirmed by biopsy of mammographic lesions. Surgical treatment was lumpectomy or mastectomy associated with SLN biopsy. Imprint stains were performed, and then serial sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and with immunohistochemistry (IHC). A complete axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) was performed during the same surgery when a node metastasis was found. Eighty patients were enrolled in the study. Of the 61 patients who were initially diagnosed with DCIS, 12 (20%) were upstaged to microinvasive or invasive carcinoma and 9 (15%) had a metastatic SLN. Patients upstaged to invasive carcinoma had macrometastatic SLN immediately fed by a complete ALND. SLN micrometastases and isolated cells were detected by IHC and secondary complete ALND found an additional metastatic lymph node in one patient. Tumor size larger than 30 mm and mastectomy were the only significative predicting factors of upstaged disease (p < 0.0001) in our study. In patients with initial diagnosis of large DCIS programmed for mastectomy, SLN biopsy should be discussed in order to detect underlying invasive disease and to spare patients a second operating time.     

The risk of axillary relapse after sentinel lymph node biopsy for breast cancer is comparable with that of axillary lymph node dissection: a follow-up study of 4008 procedures

OBJECTIVE: We sought to identify the rate of axillary recurrence after sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy for breast cancer. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: SLN biopsy is a new standard of care for axillary lymph node staging in breast cancer. Nevertheless, most validated series of SLN biopsy confirm that the SLN is falsely negative in 5-10% of node-positive cases, and few studies report the rate of axillary local recurrence (LR) for that subset of patients staged by SLN biopsy alone. METHODS: Through December of 2002, 4008 consecutive SLN biopsy procedures were performed at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center for unilateral invasive breast cancer. Patients were categorized in 4 groups: SLN-negative with axillary lymph node dissection (ALND; n = 326), SLN-negative without ALND (n = 2340), SLN-positive with ALND (n = 1132), and SLN-positive without ALND (n = 210). Clinical and pathologic characteristics and follow-up data for each of the 4 cohorts were evaluated with emphasis on patterns of axillary LR. RESULTS: With a median follow-up of 31 months (range, 1-75), axillary LR occurred in 10/4008 (0.25%) patients overall. In 3 cases (0.07%) the axillary LR was the first site of treatment failure, in 4 (0.1%) it was coincident with breast LR, and in 3 (0.07%) it was coincident with distant metastases. Axillary LR was more frequent among the unconventionally treated SLN-positive/no ALND patients than in the other 3 conventionally treated cohorts (1.4% versus 0.18%, P = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Axillary LR after SLN biopsy, with or without ALND, is a rare event, and this low relapse rate supports wider use of SLN biopsy for breast cancer staging. There is a low-risk subset of SLN-positive patients in whom completion ALND may not be required.     

Lymphoscintigraphic visualization of internal mammary nodes with subtumoral injection of radiocolloid in patients with breast cancer

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether subtumoral injection of radiocolloid is useful for lymphoscintigraphic visualization of the internal mammary node and in sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy of the axilla in breast cancer patients. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The presence of retromammary lymphatics connecting to the axillary and internal mammary basins has been demonstrated by early anatomic studies. Thus, it is hypothesized that some lymph, especially that from the parenchyma under the tumor, may drain into both the axillary and internal mammary basins. METHODS: Patients (n = 196) with T1-2, N0 breast cancer underwent preoperative lymphoscintigraphy with radiocolloid (technetium 99m tin colloid) injection into various sites of the breast, followed by SLN biopsy using the combined method with blue dye. Patients were divided into four groups: group A (n = 41), peritumoral injection of both radiocolloid and blue dye; group B (n = 70), periareolar radiocolloid and peritumoral blue dye; group C (n = 45), intradermal radiocolloid and periareolar blue dye; and group D (n = 40), subtumoral radiocolloid and intradermal blue dye. A retrospective analysis of 1,297 breast cancer patients who underwent extended radical mastectomy with internal mammary node dissection was also conducted to determine the relationship between vertical tumor location (superficial or deep) and frequency of axillary and internal mammary node metastases. RESULTS: One patient (2%) in group A, 3 (4%) in group B, 0 (0%) in group C, and 15 (38%) in group D exhibited hot spots in the internal mammary region on lymphoscintigraphy (P <.001, group D vs. the other groups). The concordance rate of radiocolloid and blue dye methods in detection of SLNs in the axillary basin was significantly lower in group D than in the other groups. In contrast, the mismatch rate (some SLNs were identified by radiocolloid and other SLNs were identified by blue dye, but no SLN was identified by both in the same patient) was significantly higher in group D than in the other groups. In patients treated with extended radical mastectomy, positivity of axillary and internal mammary metastases was significantly higher in patients (n = 215) with deep tumors than those (n = 368) with superficial tumors. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest the presence of a retromammary lymphatic pathway from the deep portion of the breast to both axillary and internal mammary basins, which is distinct from the superficial pathway. Therefore, SLN biopsy with a combination of subtumoral and other (peritumoral, dermal, or areolar) injections of radiocolloid will improve both axillary and internal mammary nodal staging.     

Preceding Sentinel Node Biopsy in Early Breast Cancer: Does it Affect the Number of Axillary Lymph Nodes ?

In the staging of early breast cancer a positive sentinel node biopsy is followed by axillary dissection in order to assess the number of metastasised lymph nodes. Immediate axillary dissection has been abandoned in our centre. If necessary, an axillary dissection takes place about two weeks later, but the post surgical inflammatory reaction might hinder dissection and decrease the number of removed lymph nodes. In a retrospective study, the total number of lymph nodes removed by sentinel node biopsy followed later by axillary dissection (n = 53) was compared with the total number of lymph nodes removed by axillary dissection without previous sentinel node biopsy in combination with breast conserving therapy (n = 113), or following breast conserving therapy (n = 15), or in combination with mastectomy (n = 65). A total number of 12 (median) lymph nodes were removed by sentinel node biopsy followed later by axillary dissection. Only in the mastectomy + axillary dissection group were less lymph nodes (median of 9) removed (P = 0.009). Multiple regression showed the total number of axillary lymph nodes to be correlated with age (R = -0.21; P = 0.002) and with the number of lymph nodes with metastasis (R = 0.31; P < 0.0001). Age distribution showed that the mastectomy + axillary dissection group had the oldest patient population. The number of removed axillary lymph nodes is not decreased by preceding sentinel node biopsy, but depends on other factors.     

Is Routine Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Indicated in Women Undergoing Contralateral Prophylactic Mastectomy? Magee-Womens Hospital Experience

INTRODUCTION: The routine use of sentinel node biopsy (SLNB) at the time of prophylactic mastectomy remains controversial. This retrospective study was undertaken to determine if SLNB is justified in patients undergoing CPM. METHODS: Between 1999 and 2004, 155 patients underwent contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) at the Magee-Womens Hospital of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Eighty patients (51.6%) had SLNB performed at the time of CPM. The therapeutic mastectomy and the CPM specimens were evaluated for histopathology. Goldflam's classification was used to determine the risk of malignancy in the CPM specimens. RESULTS: Pathology in the therapeutic mastectomy specimens included 105 (68%) invasive carcinomas and 50 (32%) in-situ carcinomas. Multicentricity and/or multifocality were reported in 49.7%, and 70% were estrogen receptor positive. Two invasive breast cancers and three cases of DCIS were diagnosed in 155 CPM specimens (n = 5, 3.2%). The median number of SLN identified was 2 (range 1-6) from the CPM axilla. Two patients had positive SLNB for metastatic carcinoma (n = 2/80, 2.5%) with no primary tumor identified in the prophylactic mastectomy specimen. In both patients the therapeutic mastectomy was for recurrent invasive carcinoma in patients with a prior history of axillary node dissection. Occult carcinoma was found in five prophylactic mastectomy specimens: two invasive and three DCIS. Only 1 out of the 75 patients not undergoing SLNB at the time of their initial surgery would have required axillary staging for a previously undiagnosed invasive cancer in the CPM specimen on final pathology. Of all 155 patients undergoing CPM, only 4 (2.5%) had identified final pathologic findings where axillary staging with SLNB was beneficial. There was no evidence of arm lymphedema in any patient who had undergone CPM and SLNB at a median follow-up of 24 months. CONCLUSION: Although SLNB is a minimally invasive method of axillary staging, this retrospective study does not support its routine use in patients undergoing CPM.     

Beneficio de la biopsia del ganglio linfático centinela en pacientes con carcinoma in situ de mama

Introduction

Patients with a diagnosis of breast ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) have a low risk of developing axillary metastases. The use of sentinel node biopsy in this group of patients is controversial. The objective of this study is to determine if the sentinel node biopsy benefits a subgroup of patients with DCIS.

Patients and method

Between April 2002 and December 2007, patients with a diagnosis of DCIS and who underwent a sentinel node biopsy were included in the study. In our centre the sentinel node biopsy was performed in patients with DCIS who required a mastectomy, high grade and >2 cm DCIS and palpable DCIS.

Results

Forty-seven patients were included in the study. In all cases the sentinel node was identified. Twenty-five (53.1%) patients underwent a mastectomy due to extensive DCIS; 14 of these (56%) with immediate reconstruction with implants. Twenty-five (53.1%) patients had high grade DCIS. In 7 (14.8%) patients the tumour was palpable. Fourteen patients (29.7%) were upgraded to invasive breast cancer in the definitive histology. In 2 (4.2%) patients who underwent a mastectomy a positive sentinel node was found.

Conclusions

Performing sentinel node biopsy in this group of DCIS patients has lead us to identify 4% of patients with positive sentinel nodes. Furthermore, 29.7% of the patients have avoided a second invasive diagnostic procedure for definitive histology. For these reasons we consider it appropiate to perform sentinel node biopsy in this subgroup of patients with DCIS of the breast.     

Effects of prior augmentation and reduction mammoplasty to sentinel node lymphatic mapping in breast cancer

Previous plastic surgery procedures such as breast augmentation or reduction mammoplasty can potentially alter the lymphatic drainage of the breast. The purpose of this study is to determine the success rates of sentinel node lymphatic mapping in patients with previous plastic surgical procedures of the breast. A total of 83 patients with a history of plastic surgery of the breast that underwent subsequent sentinel node mapping between 1996 and 2008 were retrospectively analyzed. Eight-three patients that underwent a total of 108 sentinel node biopsies. Hundred cases (93%) previously underwent breast augmentation and eight cases (7%) previously underwent reduction mammoplasty. The mean time between the previous plastic surgical procedures and the sentinel node biopsy was 10.3 years (range: 2 months-32 years). Indications for the mapping procedure were invasive cancer (n = 64), ductal carcinoma in situ (n = 17), and prophylactic mastectomy (n = 27). The identification rate of the sentinel node was 95.3% (103/108). The success rate based on type of procedure was 96% (96/100) for augmentation and 87.5% (7/8) for reduction mammoplasty. With a mean follow-up of 3.4 years, there has been only one local axillary recurrence that occurred at the time of an ipsilateral breast recurrence following lumpectomy. Lymphatic mapping can be successfully performed in patients who have previously undergone plastic surgery operations.     

Sentinel lymph node biopsy in women with pT1a or "microinvasive" breast cancer

The role of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in pT1a and "microinvasive" breast cancer has not been extensively studied. We report our experience with SLNB in patients with "minimal" breast cancer to determine the incidence and type of SLN metastases, and to study the potential impact on their surgical or oncological management. Among some 3387 women operated upon for primary breast cancer who underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy at nine institutions participating in the Rome Breast Cancer Study Group, 251 were staged pT1a or pT1mic (7.4%). There were 13 cases of sentinel lymph node metastases identified in this group of patients (5.2%), seven macrometastases and six micrometastases. Additionally, ITC were diagnosed by immunohistochemistry in four cases (1.6%). The incidence of SLN metastases was 7/174 (4%) and 6/77 (7.8%) in patients with pT1a and pT1mic tumors, respectively (p=0.2). Age and histological grade were predictive factors for SLN metastases. Chemotherapy was seldom directed by axillary node status (8/38 patients). As the incidence of SLN metastases in these patients is very small, particularly in the pT1a group, the indications for even a minimally invasive procedure, such as sentinel lymph node biopsy, should be probably individualized.     

Sentinel Node Biopsy is Important in Mastectomy for Ductal Carcinoma In Situ

Background There is uncertainty about the utility of sentinel node biopsy (SNB) for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and its potential to avoid axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) in patients undergoing mastectomy for DCIS. Methods A review was conducted of 179 patients who underwent mastectomy with sentinel node biopsy for DCIS without invasion or microinvasion on premastectomy pathology review. Results The sentinel node identification rate was 98.9% (177/179). Twenty (11.3%) of 177 mastectomies for DCIS had a positive SNB: two micrometastasis (pN1mi) and 18 isolated tumor cells [pN0(i+)]. Unsuspected invasive cancer was found in 20 (11.2%) of 179 mastectomies, eight T1mic, five T1a, three T1b, and four T1c tumors. Sentinel nodes were identified in 19 of 20 patients with invasive cancer and four were positive: one pN1mi and three pN0(i+). Eighteen of 19 patients with unsuspected invasive cancer were able to avoid axillary dissection on the basis of SNB results. Of the 159 patients whose final pathology revealed DCIS without invasion, a sentinel node was identified in 158 (99.4%). The SNB was positive in 16 patients (10.1%): one pN1mi and 15 pN0(i+). Three patients underwent ALND on the basis of positive SNBs and in each the SNB was the only positive node. Conclusions 11% of patients undergoing mastectomy for DCIS were found to have invasive cancer on final pathology. The use of SNB during mastectomy for DCIS allowed nearly all such patients to avoid axillary dissection. These results support routine use of SNB during mastectomy for DCIS.