Factors affecting failed localisation and false-negative rates of sentinel node biopsy in breast cancer – results of the ALMANAC validation phase

SummaryBackground Despite the widespread application of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) for early stage breast cancer, there is a wide variation in reported test performance characteristics. A major aim of this prospective multicentre validation study was to quantify detection and false-negative rates of SLNB and evaluate factors influencing them.Methods Eight-hundred and fourty-two patients with clinically node-negative breast cancer underwent SLNB according to a standardised protocol that used a combination of radiopharmaceutical 99mTc-albumin colloid and Patent Blue V dye. SLNB was followed by standard axillary treatment at the same operation in all patients.Results Sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) were identified in 803 (96.1%) of 836 evaluable cases. The median number of SLNs removed per patient was 2 (range 1–9). There were 19 false negatives, resulting in a sensitivity of 263/282 (93.3%) and accuracy 782/803 (97.6%). SLNs were successfully identified by blue dye in 698 (85.6%), by isotope in 698 (85.6%), and by the combination of blue dye and isotope in 782 (96.0%) of 815 patients. Among 276 node positive patients, one or more positive SLNs were identified by blue dye in 251 (90.9%), by isotope in 246 (89.1%) and by the combination of blue dye and gamma probe in 258 (93.5%). Obesity, tumor location other than upper outer quadrant and non-visualisation of SLNs on the pre-operative lymphoscintiscan were significantly associated with failed localisation (p<0.001, p=0.008, p<0.001, respectively). The false-negative rate in patients with grade 3 tumors was 9.6%, compared with 4.7% in those with grade 2 tumors (p=0.022). The false-negative rate in patients who had one SLN harvested was 10.1%, compared with 1.1% in those who had multiple SLNs (three or more) removed (p=0.010).Conclusion SLNB can accurately determine whether axillary metastases are present in patients with early stage breast cancer with clinically negative axillary nodes. Both success and accuracy of SLNB are optimised by the combined use of blue dye and isotope. SLNB success decreases with increasing body mass, tumor location other than the upper outer quadrant and non-visualisation of hot nodes on the pre-operative lymphoscintiscan. This study demonstrates reduction in the predictive value of a negative SLNB in grade 3 tumors.     

Sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer patients after neoadjuvant chemotherapy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is an accurate method for axillary staging in patients with early breast cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and the feasibility of SLNB in breast cancer patients who had received preoperative (neoadjuvant) chemotherapy. METHODS: Patients with advanced breast cancer stage II or III who were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy were included in the study. Sentinel lymph node (SLN) identification and biopsy was attempted and performed, and axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) was performed in the same surgical procedure after SLNB. The histopathologic examination of the SLNs and the dissected axillary lymph nodes was performed and nodal status was compared. RESULTS: Thirty patients were included in the study. After peritumoural injection of technetium-99m labelled human albumin and subareolar subcutaneous injection of blue dye, the SLNs could be identified in 26/30 patients (identification rate 86.7%). In 4/30 patients (13.3%) SLNs could not be identified. In 25/26 patients (96.2%) SLNs accurately predicted the axillary status. Eleven patients had negative SLNs and negative nodes in ALND. Six patients had positive SLNs and positive nodes in ALND. In eight patients SLNs only were positive and nodes in ALND were negative. One patient had a false-negative SLNB, calculating a false-negative rate of 6.7% (1/15). CONCLUSIONS: SLNB is a well introduced technique for axillary staging in patients with early breast cancer. The accuracy of SLNB after neoadjuvant chemotherapy is similar to patients with primary surgery. SLNB could be an alternative to ALND in a subgroup of patients after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and therefore could reduce morbidity due to surgery in those patients. Due to small numbers of patients, further evaluation in this subset of patients is required.     

美蓝染色法鉴别哨兵淋巴结及其临床意义

目的：探讨美蓝染色法鉴别哨兵淋巴结（SLN）的可行性及其活检的临床意义。方法：采用美蓝染色法，对50例乳腺癌患者行腋窝淋巴作图，所得SLN和非哨兵淋巴结（NSLN）均行常规HE染色。阴性SLN再行连续切片及免疫组化检查，结果：50例患者中SLN阳性45例，SLN鉴别成功率为90．0％，45例中常规病检16例SLN阳性，对29例SLN阴性者采用连续切片和免疫组化检查发现7例（24．1％）有微转移，硝兵淋巴结活检的准确率，灵敏度和假阴性率分别为91．1％，85．7％和8．9％，结论：采用美蓝染色法能准确鉴别SLN，反映乳腺癌患者腋窝淋巴结状况，采用连续切片和免疫组化检查可检测出NSLN中的微转移灶，降低假阴性率。     

乳腺癌前哨淋巴结活检的可行性及临床应用价值

目的 探讨前哨淋巴结(sentinel Iymph node,SLN)定位和活检(SLNB)的可行性及其对预测乳腺癌腋窝淋巴结(axillary lymph node,ALN)转移的准确性。方法 对52例临床查体及B超检测ALN阴性的乳腺癌患者,术中在肿瘤周围注射亚甲蓝进行SLN定位和活检。对常规病理检查阴性的SLN再行免疫组化检测。结果 SLNB的检出成功率为92.3％(48/52),准确率为97.9％,假阴性率为4.8％,敏感度为95.2％,特异度为100％。SLN是惟一被证实有肿瘤转移的淋巴结者占66.7％(14/21)。免疫组化检测使SLN肿瘤转移的阳性率提高了4.1％。结论乳腺癌SLNB技术是可行的,应用亚甲蓝淋巴定位方法进行的SLNB可以准确预测临床及B超检查ALN阴性的乳腺癌患者的ALN转     

应用RT-PCR检测CK19表达提高乳腺癌前哨淋巴结微转移检出的研究

目的:评价乳腺癌前哨淋巴结活检的临床意义,应用细胞角蛋白cytokeratin19(CK19)RT-PCR检测法提高其的敏感性及准确率.方法:随机选取1999年10月至2003年3月住院的乳腺癌患者73例,其中2001年1月至2003年3月的29例,对前哨淋巴结(SLN)进行了CK19 RT-PCR检测.采用专利兰进行SLN识别.RT-PCR法检测CK19 mRNA表达.结果:SLN识别成功67例,成功率为91.8%(67/73).对上述67例的SLN转移的常规病理诊断的敏感度68.8%(22/32),准确率85.1%(57/67).在行CK19 RT-PCR的29例中,检测出常规病理未检出的微小转移病例8例.敏感度90.0%(18/20),准确率93.1%(27/29).结论:前哨淋巴结活检可有效判断乳腺癌腋淋巴结转移状态,应用CK19 RT-PCR检测SLN的微转移,可提高敏感度及准确率.     

Sentinel Node Biopsy After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Cytologically Proven Node-Positive Breast Cancer

IntroductionSeveral studies have assessed the feasibility of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) after NAC in patients with breast cancer, but diagnostic accuracy has varied. We prospectively evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of SLNB in detecting axillary lymph node (ALN) metastases after NAC in patients with cytologically proven positive nodes before chemotherapy.Patients and MethodsWe studied 95 breast cancer patients with cytologically proven positive nodes and a partial or complete clinical response to NAC in the breast lesions confirmed using magnetic resonance imaging. Patients then underwent SLNB followed by ALN dissection. The identification rate of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) and the false negative rate of nodal metastases were assessed. Subgroup analysis was conducted according to several clinical factors.ResultsSLNs were successfully identified in 81 (85.3%) of the 95 patients. Among these 81 patients, 51 (63.0%) had ALN metastases on final pathologic examination after NAC. Eight of the 51 patients with ALN metastases had negative results on SLNB (false negative rate, 15.7%). Univariate analysis indicated that the false negative rate was significantly lower only in the HER2-negative group (P = .003).ConclusionSLNB after NAC did not correctly predict the presence or absence of axillary node metastases in patients with breast cancer who had cytologically proven positive nodes before NAC. However, the diagnostic accuracy might be different in cancer subtypes, therapeutic effect of chemotherapy, or sentinel lymph node status after chemotherapy. Well-powered studies are needed to confirm diagnostic accuracy of SLNB after NAC according to subgroup in patients with breast cancer.     

Sentinel lymph node biopsy alone without axillary lymph node dissection--follow up of sentinel lymph node negative breast cancer patients.

AIMS: To evaluate the rate of axillary recurrences in sentinel lymph node (SLN) negative breast cancer patients after sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) alone without further axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). METHODS: Between May 1999 and February 2001 all patients who had primary invasive breast cancer and were SLN negative were eligible for this prospective study. SLNB was performed by using the combined method with radioactive tracer and blue dye. SLNs were examined by frozen section, standard H/E staining and immunohistochemistry staining. SLN negative patients did not receive further ALND. Follow-up was done three-monthly with clinical controls, blood samples and ultrasound of the breast and axilla. An annual mammogram was performed. RESULTS: 116 patients with T1 or T2 invasive breast cancer were included in this trial. All 116 patients had negative SLNs in frozen sections, in H/E staining and in immunohistochemistry staining. The mean number of removed SLNs was 2.03+/-1.22. Mean tumor size was 17.15+/-7.62 mm. Postmenopausal patients totalled 79.3 and 20.7% of patients were premenopausal. No local or axillary recurrences occurred at a mean duration of follow-up of 22.12+/-6.38 months. CONCLUSION: The absence of axillary recurrences after SLNB without ALND in SLN negative breast cancer patients supports the hypothesis that SLNB is accurate and safe while providing less surgical morbidity. Short term results are very promising. SLNB without ALND in SLN negative patients is an excellent procedure for axillary staging in a cohort of breast cancer patients with small tumors.     

Sentinel lymph node biopsy in multicentric breast cancer. The experience of the European Institute of Oncology.

AIM: To present our experience with sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) performed in patients with multicentric breast cancer. METHODS: Between May 2001 and May 2004, 42 patients with multicentric breast cancer and a clinically negative axilla underwent lymphatic mapping either by a single subareolar (n = 25) or a double peritumoral/subdermal injection (n = 17) of 99Tc-HSA nanocolloids. The sentinel lymph node (SLN) was evaluated by intraoperative frozen section and axillary dissection was performed only in case of positive SLN. RESULTS: Mean age was 49 years (range 25-78). Mean number of SLNs identified by lymphoscintigraphy was 1.36 (range 1-5) and mean number of SLNs removed at surgery was 1.55 (range 1-5), with an identification rate of 100%. The mean number of hot spots identified by lymphoscintigraphy was similar in patients who underwent single or double injections (1.36 and 1.35, respectively). In 21 of 42 patients the SLN was positive, and in seven of these 21 patients the SLN was the only positive node. After a median follow-up of 24 months no overt axillary metastases occurred in patients with negative SLN. CONCLUSIONS: The number of SLNs is not dependent on the number and site of injections. SLNB is our standard procedure for nodal staging in patients with multicentric breast cancer and a clinically negative axilla.     

腋窝淋巴结阳性乳腺癌新辅助化疗后腋窝治疗选择的研究

  目的  分析腋窝淋巴结（axillary lymph node，ALN）阳性乳腺癌患者新辅助化疗（neoadjuvant chemotherapy，NAC）后经前哨淋巴结活检术（sentinel lymph node biopsy，SLNB）评估ALN状态的可行性，并探讨腋窝的后续治疗选择。  方法  回顾性分析2016年1月至2018年1月天津医科大学肿瘤医院收治的82例ALN阳性乳腺癌患者的临床资料，均NAC后行SLNB，评估其检出率、准确率、假阴性率（false negative rate，FNR）并对可能影响因素进行分层分析。  结果  82例患者腋窝病理完全缓解（pathological com? plete response，pCR）43例、占52.4%，SLNB检出率为97.56%（80/82），准确率为88.75%（71/80），FNR为23.08%（9/39）。前哨淋巴结（sentinel lymph node，SLN）检出数目为1、2枚和数目≥3枚时，FNR分别为20.0%（2/10）、71.4%（5/7）和9.1%（2/22），准确率分别为90.9%（20/22）、66.7%（10/15）和95.3%（41/43），差异具有统计学意义（均P < 0.05）。  结论  ALN阳性乳腺癌患者NAC后行SLNB总体FNR较高，尚未达到临床可接受范围，不能完全取代腋窝淋巴结清扫（axillary lymph node dissection，ALND），SLN检出数目≥3枚时SLNB可准确评估ALN状态。      

200 Sentinel lymph node biopsies without axillary lymph node dissection -- no axillary recurrences after a 3-year follow-up

The aim of this study is to evaluate the rate of axillary recurrences in sentinel lymph node (SLN)-negative breast cancer patients after sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) alone without further axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). Between May 1999 and February 2002, 333 consecutive patients with primary invasive breast cancer up to 4 cm and clinically negative axillae were entered into this prospective study. Sentinel lymph nodes were identified using the combined method with blue dye (Patent blue V) and technetium 99m-labelled albumin (Nanocoll). Sentinel lymph nodes were examined by frozen sections, standard haematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry staining. In SLN-positive patients, ALND was performed. Sentinel lymph node-negative patients had no further ALND. The SLN identification rate was 98.5% (328 out of 333). In all, 128 out of 328 (39.0%) patients had positive SLNs and complete ALND. A total of 200 out of 328 (61.0%) patients were SLN negative and had no further ALND. The mean tumour size of SLN-negative patients was 16.5 mm. The mean number of SLNs removed was 2.1 per patient. There were no local or axillary recurrences at a median follow-up of 36 months. The absence of axillary recurrences after SLNB without ALND in SLN-negative breast cancer patients supports the hypothesis that SLNB is accurate and safe while providing less surgical morbidity than ALND. Short-term results are very promising that SLNB without ALND in SLN-negative patients is an excellent procedure for axillary staging in a cohort of breast cancer patients with small tumours.     

亚甲蓝示踪在乳腺癌前哨淋巴结活检中的应用及影响因素

背景与目的:示踪剂的选择是影响乳腺癌前哨淋巴结活检成功与否的重要因素之一.本研究探讨亚甲蓝作为示踪剂在乳腺癌前哨淋巴结活检中的应用价值.并分析影响其示踪结果的各项因素.方法:选取2005年3月至2006年2月复旦大学附属肿瘤医院治疗的101例可手术乳腺癌患者作为研究对象,临床体检腋窝淋巴结阴性,均单独采用亚甲蓝作为前哨淋巴结活检示踪剂.前哨淋巴结活检后均行腋窝淋巴结清扫.应用石蜡连续切片、HE染色进行病理诊断.结果:本组前哨淋巴结检出率为96.04%(97/101),假阴性率为11.76%(4/34),术前未行化疗患者的假阴性率为7.40%(2/27).平均检出前哨淋巴结2.05枚.前哨淋巴结的大小与病理结果相关.病理类型、新辅助化疗、局部切除活检对本组前哨淋巴结的检出率均无影响.前哨淋巴结数量与假阴性率相关;体重指数(body mass index.BMI)对检出率、假阴性率均有影响.本组患者未发生过敏反应及皮肤坏死.结论:亚甲蓝作为乳腺癌前哨淋巴结活检的示踪剂安全、可靠;对于BMI较高的患者,需要进一步改进示踪方法.     

新型前哨淋巴结显像剂在乳腺癌中的初步应用

目的 研究新型特异性前哨淋巴结（SLN）显像剂99m^Tc-Rituximab的定位效应,探讨有效、易行的SLN定位方法。方法 采用直接法将99m^Tc引入Rituximab分子中,作为示踪剂。对10只Balb／c小鼠和10例乳腺癌患者行SLN动态显像,应用计算机软件行图像融合,评价99m^Tc-Rituximab的定位性能。利用感兴趣区（ROI）技术计算SLN与组织本底的比值、SLN摄取率,绘制SLN摄取99m^Tc-Rituximab的动态曲线。另外61例乳腺癌患者行常规乳腺癌SLN显像。71例患者均行腋窝前哨淋巴结活检（SLNB）及腋窝淋巴结清扫（ALND）,SLN及腋窝淋巴结行常规HE染色。结果 99m^Tc-Pdtuximab标记率〉95．0％,可清晰定位小鼠和乳腺癌患者的SLN。融合图像能清晰显示SLN大体位置。动态显像结果显示,注射显像剂后10min到16 h SLN均可显影,以6h最佳,未见次级淋巴结显影。小鼠SLN与组织本底的比值为2．1,SLN摄取率约为3．0％～3．5％,摄取曲线方程为y=0．036x＋2．7875,r^2=0．9787。乳腺癌患者SLN摄取率存在个体差异,但均符合对数函数分布。SLNB的成功率、敏感度及准确性均为100．0％。每例患者检出SLN平均为2．6枚。SLN转移阳性19例（26．8％）,其中11例患者仅有SIN转移。结论 99m^Tc-Rituximab的SLN定位性能良好,无次级淋巴结显影及手术时间受限等问题。图像融合技术简单易行,利于指导SLNB进行。     

美蓝在乳腺癌前哨淋巴结活检中的临床价值

目的探讨美蓝在乳腺癌前哨淋巴结活检中的临床价值。方法将1%美蓝2ml注入活检腔外上方的皮下及乳腺组织内,然后行Auchincloss仿根治术,依淋巴管走向找到蓝染淋巴结定为SLN,若此时未找到待腋窝清扫结束后,再在标本中寻找,蓝染者为SLN,余为非SLN,分别送病理检查。结果前哨淋巴结检出率为87.9%(95/108),SLN预测腋窝状况的准确率为95.7%(91/95),假阴性率为6.5%(4/62),无假阳性者。未检出者13例,其中4例为假阴性,均属跳跃式转移。前哨淋巴结转移阳性率(34.6%,33/95)和阴性率(65.3%,62/95),与全腋淋巴结转移阳性率(39.8%,43/108)和阴性率(60.2%,65/108)比较,均无显著性差异(P>0.05)。结论美蓝前哨淋巴结活检可以准确预测乳腺癌患者的腋淋巴结状态。     

Axillary recurrence after sentinel lymph node biopsy.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) without further axillary dissection in patients with sentinel node-negative breast carcinoma appears to be a safe procedure to ensure locoregional control. During a median follow-up of 35 months the false-negative rate was 1% in our study population of 185 patients. BACKGROUND: The objective of this prospective study is to provide data on follow-up of patients with primary operable breast carcinoma staged with SLNB without axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) if the sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) were tumour-negative. METHODS: One hundred and eighty-five patients were enrolled. Preoperative dynamic and static lymphoscintigraphy were performed; both a vital blue dye and a gamma detection probe were used intraoperatively. Patients with tumour-positive SLNs received completion ALND or if no SLNs could be identified. All patients were monitored according to regional follow-up protocols. RESULTS: The SLNs were identified in 179 out of the 185 patients. In 73 patients the SLNs were tumour-positive and in 106 patients tumour-negative. The median follow-up was 35 months (range 17-59). In one SLN-negative patient an axillary recurrence occurred 26 months after the SLNB (false-negative rate: 1%). CONCLUSIONS: SLNB without ALND appears to be a safe procedure to ensure locoregional control in SLN-negative breast carcinoma, if carried out by an experienced team.     

Sentinel lymph node biopsy in male patients with early breast cancer

Mastectomy with axillary dissection is still the most commonly recommended procedure for male breast cancer. The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate our experience in 32 male patients with early breast cancer who underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) and axillary dissection only in cases of metastases in the sentinel lymph node (SLN). The median age was 58 years (range, 33-80). Lymphoscintigraphy was successful in all patients, with a mean number of visualized SLNs per patient of 1.3 (range, 1-2). At surgery, the identification rate of the SLN was 100%, with a mean number of removed SLNs per patient of 1.5 (range, 1-3). Twenty-six patients had negative SLNs, six patients had positive SLNs. Two patients with metastatic SLNs had additional positive nodes. After a median follow-up of 30 months (range, 1-63) no axillary reappearance of the disease occurred. As with women, we recommend SLNB in male patients with breast cancer and clinically negative axilla.     

国产亚甲蓝标记乳腺癌前哨淋巴结活检64例分析

[目的]评估乳腺癌前哨淋巴结活检（SLNB）对预测腋窝淋巴结转移状态的价值。[方法]64例临床Ⅰ、Ⅱ期原发女性乳腺癌，体检无腋淋巴结肿大或虽有肿大而估计非转移性，术中在原发肿瘤周围注射亚甲蓝示踪定位，进行SLNB和腋淋巴结清扫（ALND）。术后对全部前哨淋巴结（SLN）和腋淋巴结（ALN）行常规病理检查。[结果]64例中检出SLN者53例，检出率为82．8％。其中Nn组腋窝淋巴结预测准确度为91.4％，阳性预测符合率100％（5／5）；无假阴性，阴性预测符合率100％（30／30）。N1组准确度仅72．2％（13／18）。腋窝淋巴结肿大不影响SLNB成功率，但降低SLN预测ALN准确度；肿块切检后行SLNB可降低成功率；注射亚甲蓝后60min内解剖SLN不影响SLNB成功率。[结论]在肿块切检前注射亚甲蓝示踪定位，SLNB成功率高，能准确预测（T1，T2）N0M0乳腺癌患者的转移状态。     

前哨淋巴结活检阴性乳腺癌患者行低位部分腋窝淋巴结清扫的必要性探讨

目的 探讨前哨淋巴结活检（sentinel lymph node biopsy, SLNB）阴性行低位部分腋窝淋巴结清扫（low partial axillary lymph node dissection, LPALND）的必要性。方法 收集138例影像学检查提示腋窝淋巴结肿大、SLNB阴性（≤4枚）并进一步行LPALND乳腺癌患者临床病理资料进行回顾性分析,探讨患者行LPALND的必要性。结果 SLNB 2枚组、3枚组与4枚组发生LPALN转移概率比较差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）。但1枚组与4枚组发生LPALN转移概率比较差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。结论 对影像学检查提示腋窝淋巴结肿大行SLNB 1枚阴性患者应行LPALND, 2~3枚阴性患者建议行LPALND,4枚阴性患者可免于行LPALND。     

Breast sentinel lymph node navigation with three-dimensional computed tomography–lymphography: a 12-year study

Purpose

To evaluate the utility of three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT)?lymphography (LG) breast sentinel lymph node navigation in our institute.

Patients and methods

Between 2002 and 2013, we preoperatively identified sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) in 576 clinically node-negative breast cancer patients with T1 and T2 breast cancer using 3D CT–LG method. SLN biopsy (SLNB) was performed in 557 of 576 patients using both the images of 3D CT–LG for guidance and the blue dye method.

Results

Using 3D CT–LG, SLNs were visualized in 569 (99 %) of 576 patients. Of 569 patients, both lymphatic draining ducts and SLNs from the peritumoral and periareolar areas were visualized in 549 (96 %) patients. Only SLNs without lymphatic draining ducts were visualized in 20 patients. Drainage lymphatic pathways visualized with 3D CT–LG (549 cases) were classified into four patterns: single route/single SLN (355 cases, 65 %), multiple routes/single SLN (59 cases, 11 %) single route/multiple SLNs (62 cases, 11 %) and multiple routes/multiple SLNs (73 cases, 13 %). SLNs were detected in 556 (99.8 %) of 557 patients during SLNB.

Conclusion

CT–LG is useful for preoperative visualization of SLNs and breast lymphatic draining routes. This preoperative method should contribute greatly to the easy detection of SLNs during SLNB.

     

Advantages of preoperative localization and surgical resection of metastatic axillary lymph nodes using magnetic seeds after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer

PurposeTo assess the safety and effectiveness of magnetic seeds in preoperative localization and surgical dissection of metastatic axillary lymph nodes (LN+) in breast cancer patients with axillary involvement, after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). In addition, to assess the impact of targeted axillary dissection (TAD) in reducing the rate of false negatives (FN) in sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB).Materials and MethodsA cross-sectional prospective cohort study was conducted from April 2017 to September 2019, including breast cancer patients with axillary lymph node involvement treated with NAC. Prior to NAC, the LN+ were marked by ultrasound-guided clip insertion. After NAC, a magnetic seed (Magseed®) was inserted in the clip-marked lymph node (MLN). During surgery, the MLN was located and removed with the aid of a magnetic detection probe (Sentimag®) and the sentinel lymph node was removed. Axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) was used to determine the rate of FN for SLNB alone and the combination of SLNB and MLN dissection, called TAD.ResultsThe study included 29 patients (mean age, 55; range, 30–78 years). Selective preoperative localization and surgical dissection were successful for all 30 MLNs (100%). The MLN corresponded to the SLN in 50% of cases. After ALND, there were 21.4% (3/14) FN with SLNB alone and 5.9% (1/17) with TAD.ConclusionsFollowing NAC, selective surgical removal of MLN by preoperative localization using magnetic seeds is a safe and effective procedure with a success rate of 100%. Adding TAD reduces the rate of FN associated with SLNB alone.     

Current trends of sentinel lymph node biopsy for breast cancer —A surgeon’s perspective

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is standard care for patients with early-stage breast cancer, and axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) is considered unnecessary when sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) are tumor-free. Additional non-SLN metastasis in patients with positive SLNs can be estimated using several risk factors such as primary tumor size, metastatic tumor size in SLNs, lymphatic vessel invasion, and so on. All patients with positive SLNs may be treated with further ALND based on their own risk for nonSLN metastasis. Recent randomized clinical trials have already proved less surgical morbidity and better QOL for SLNB alone compared with ALND. However, trials concerning the efficacy of ALND in positive SLNB patients in preventing local regional recurrence and improving overall survival compared with no ALND, and also, concerning the effectiveness of ALND compared with axillary radiation therapy (RT), have not yielded clear results. The prognostic significance of micrometastasis in SLNs or bone marrow also remains to be determined. So far SLNB is not acceptable for patients with positive nodes in the axilla at initial diagnosis even if their axillary metastases are down-staged to negative by neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Although basically SLNB does not need to be performed for patients with pure ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), it is recommended for patients with an initial diagnosis of DCIS which is large, palpable, high grade, or found in younger patients. Because these types of DCIS have higher incidences of accompanying invasive lesions. In addition if patients will undergo mastectomy, SLNB is recommended because of the inability to perform SLNB after mastectomy. SLNB may be acceptable for patients with T3 or T4b tumors, even though SLN identification is lower yet SLN involvement is higher compared with T1 or T2 tumors, and systemic adjuvant therapy is more important for patients with T3 or T4b tumors. SLNB is a bridge to further axillary treatment such as ALND or axillary RT, and which strategy, including no further treatment, is best considered individually based on recurrence risk, treatment responsiveness and use or non-use of systemic therapy.