Reoperative sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with locally recurrent breast cancer

BACKGROUND: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is considered a standard of care in the staging of breast cancer. The objective was to examine our experience with reoperative SLNB. METHODS: We identified 19 patients in our breast cancer database who had a SLNB in the reoperative setting. All 19 patients had undergone previous breast-conserving surgery with either an axillary lymph node dissection or an SLNB. The reoperative sentinel lymph node (SLN) was identified using blue dye, radioisotope, or both. RESULTS: The SLN was identified in 84% of the reoperative cases. Of these successful cases, both blue dye and radioisotope were used in five cases, and radioisotope alone was used in 11 cases. Radioisotope identified the SLN in the 100% of successful SLNB cases (P = .0003). There were 3 unsuccessful cases in which blue dye and radioisotope failed to identify the sentinel node. CONCLUSIONS: Reoperative SLNB after previous axillary surgery is technically feasible.     

Evaluation of intraoperative scrape cytology for sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with breast cancer

The techniques for intraoperative evaluation of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) vary. The most common methods include frozen section, imprint cytology/touch preparation cytology, and scrape cytology (SC). The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether there is concordance between the intraoperative SC and the final pathology of SLNs in patients with breast cancer. From October 2001 to June 2005, sentinel lymph node biopsies were attempted in 181 patients with breast cancer using a combination of blue dye and radioisotope. A lymph node was considered an SLN when it was stained with blue dye, had a blue lymphatic afferent, had increased radioactivity, or was abnormal by palpation. SLNs were successfully identified in 180 patients, for an identification rate of 99.4%. Forty-five patients had positive SLNs. In 16 (35%) of those patients, the SLNs were negative intraoperatively by SC. All of the false negatives occurred in SLNs with micrometastases. Thus, SC is an excellent method for identifying macrometastases intraoperatively, but less successful for micrometastases.     

Can Methylene Blue Only Be Used in Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy for Breast Cancer?

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has become an accepted standard of care to stage the axilla for clinically node-negative early stage breast cancer. In experienced hands, studies have shown an acceptable rate of identification of the sentinel lymph node (SLN) with blue dye only. Lymphazurin is occasionally associated with severe allergic reaction, including anaphylaxis and death. The use of methylene blue alone as a method of identifying the SLN in breast cancer has been reported once previously in the literature. Methylene blue may be an acceptable alternative with fewer deleterious side effects. Medical records of patients, who underwent sentinel node mapping between September 2003 and March 2005 by two surgeons at an academic medical center were reviewed. SLN mapping was performed by periareolar injection of 5 cc of 1% methylene blue. All patients with positive SLNs underwent completion axillary node dissection. During the study period, 141 consecutive patients with clinically node-negative axillas and without evidence of inflammatory breast cancer underwent SLNB with injection of methylene blue only. A SLN was identified in 136 of 141 patients (96.5%). Thirty-three of 136 SLNs (24%) harbored metastatic disease. No cases of anaphylaxis were noted. In experienced hands, methylene blue alone is a highly sensitive method of detecting SLNs. Avoiding the greater frequency of allergic reactions seen with lymphazurin is an important advantage of methylene blue.     

Methylene Blue Dye as an Alternative to Isosulfan Blue Dye for Sentinel Lymph Node Localization

Background: Our study describes the use of methylene blue dye as an alternative to isosulfan blue dye to identify the sentinel lymph node (SLN).Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed of 112 breast cancer patients (113 axillae) who underwent SLN biopsy (SLNB) with methylene blue dye and ^99mTc-labeled sulfur colloid for SLN identification. All SLNs were submitted for intraoperative frozen section analysis, hematoxylin and eosin stain, and immunohistochemical evaluation. Patients with a pathologically negative SLN did not undergo further axillary lymph node dissection.Results: Of 112 patients who underwent SLNB, the SLN was identified in 107 (95.5%); 104 (92.8%) were identified by methylene blue dye. In a subset of 99 patients with recorded isotope status in relation to blue nodes, concordant identification with both dye and isotope was observed in 94 (94.9%). Of patients with identified SLNs, 32 (29.9%) of 107 contained metastatic disease, with 31 (96.9%) of 32 identified by methylene blue dye. The SLN was the only positive node in 18 (60.0%) of 30 patients.Conclusions: SLNB with methylene blue dye is an effective alternative to isosulfan blue dye for accurately identifying SLNs in breast cancer patients.Presented at the Society of Surgical Oncologys 55th Annual Cancer Symposium, Denver, Colorado, March 14–17, 2002.     

Sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer: an analysis of the maximum number of nodes requiring excision

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SNB) is now the standard of care in assessment of patients with clinically staged T1-2, N0 breast cancers. This study investigates whether there is a maximum number of sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) that need to be excised without compromising the false-negative (FN) rate of this procedure. Data were prospectively collected for 319 patients undergoing SNB between February 2001 and December 2006 at our institution. This data were analysed, both in terms of the order of SLN retrieval and relative isotope counts of the SLNs, in order to determine the maximum number of SLNs that need to be retrieved without increasing the FN rate. Furthermore, we investigated the relationship between SLN blue dye concentration and the presence of SLN metastases. The SLN identification rate was 97% with no false-negative cases amongst patients undergoing simultaneous axillary clearance historically during technique validation. In patients with SLN metastases, excision of the first 4 SLNs encountered results in the identification of a metastatic SLN in all cases. Although the majority (86%) of SNB metastases are in the hottest node, the SLN containing the metastasis is in the first 4 hottest nodes in 99% of patients with nodal metastases. The remaining 1% of SLN metastases were identified by blue dye. There was no statistically significant association between the SLN blue dye concentration and the presence of SLN metastases. A policy to remove a maximum of four blue and/or hot SLNs along with any palpably abnormal lymph nodes does not result in an increased false-negative rate of detection of SLN metastases.     

美蓝染色法乳腺癌前哨淋巴结活检临床应用研究

目的探讨美蓝染色法在乳腺癌前哨淋巴结活检(sentinel lymph node biopsy,SLNB)中的应用价值。方法以68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,均单独采用美蓝作为前哨淋巴结(sentinel lymph node,SLN)示踪剂。结果全组患者共检出SLN 60例78枚。检出后行乳腺癌改良根治术60例,乳腺区段切除+腋窝淋巴结(axillary lymph node,ALN)切除术8例。60例中22例SLN病理结果为阳性,转移淋巴结数28枚,SLN转移率为35.9%(28/78)。全组患者共检出ALN805枚,其中24例病理结果阳性。SLNB的检出率为88.2%(60/68),60例成功检出患者中,38例SLN阴性,其中经病理检查ALN阳性(假阴性)者1例,8例未找到SLN患者中亦有1例ALN阳性。SLNB灵敏度为91.7%,准确率为98.3%,假阴性率为8.3%,假阳性率为0。结论应用美蓝进行SLN的认定是安全可行的,并有利于简化手术方式,提高患者术后生活质量。     

Correlation of lymphoscintigraphy with the number of sentinel lymph nodes identified intraoperatively in patients with breast cancer

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have evaluated the benefit of performing lymphoscintigraphy for the sentinel lymph node procedure in breast cancer patients. The purpose of this study is to determine if lymphoscintigraphy accurately predicts the number of radioactive sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) identified during surgery for breast cancer patients. METHODS: From October 2001 to June 2004, SLN biopsy was attempted in 112 patients with breast cancer using a combination of blue dye and radioisotope. Lymphoscintigraphy was performed in 98 of the patients. A lymph node was considered an SLN when it was stained with blue dye, had a blue lymphatic afferent, had increased radioactivity, or was abnormal by palpation. RESULTS: Lymphoscintigraphy accurately predicted the number of radioactive SLN identified intraoperatively in 47 patients. In 44 of the patients who did not have concordance, there were more SLN identified intraoperatively than were seen on lymphoscintigraphy. In the other 8 patients, there were fewer SLN identified intraoperatively than seen on lymphoscintigraphy. CONCLUSIONS: Lymphoscintigraphy accurately predicted the number of SLN identified intraoperatively in only 47% of the patients in this study. In a majority of the patients in whom the lymphoscintigraphy was not concordant, the number of SLN identified intraoperatively was underestimated. Thus, although lymphoscintigraphy is beneficial in showing that at least 1 radioactive SLN will be identified intraoperatively, it does not accurately predict the number.     

前哨淋巴结检测在乳腺癌治疗中的意义

目的评价前哨淋巴结活检术 (sentinellymphnodebiopsy,SLNB)预测腋淋巴结肿瘤转移的准确性及其临床意义。方法使用专利蓝染色法和 /或99mTc标记的硫胶体示踪法对我院收治的81例乳腺癌患者进行前哨淋巴结活检。两种方法联合检测 3例前哨淋巴结 (sentinellymphnode ,SLN)均阴性者未行腋淋巴结清扫术。结果 81例患者SLN总检出率为 96 3% (78/81) ,总准确率为97 5 % ,总假阴性率 9 7%。 5 3例单纯染色法检出率为 92 5 % ,准确率 94 2 % ,假阴性率 15 8% ;2 8例99mTc示踪法和 /或染色法联合检测结果分别为 10 0 % ,10 0 %和 0。结论SLNB能够准确预测腋窝淋巴结的转移状况。两种方法联合检测为最佳。术前化疗对假阴性率可能有影响。     

Indocyanine green fluorescence method for sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer

Background/ObjectiveBreast biopsy and analysis of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) accurately predict tumor status in the affected basin and help in avoiding unnecessary axillary lymph node dissection, which is associated with remarkable morbidity risk. Blue dye and radioisotope are the most widely used mapping agents, but non-radioactive tracers of comparable accuracy warrant further investigation. This study aimed to investigate utilization of indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence in sentinel node localization compared with blue dye and to assess the incremental value of ICG.MethodsA total of 39 consecutive patients underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) (40 cases: 38 unilateral and 1 bilateral) with combined blue dye and ICG for localization. The obtained fluorescence images of the lymphatic system were investigated.ResultsAll 84 lymph nodes removed in 40 procedures were identified by ICG, but only 37 were identified by blue dye. The ICG method identified an average of 2.1 SLNs in 39 of 40 cases with a detection rate of 97.5%, but only 0.93 SLN per case with blue dye. Subcutaneous lymphatic channel patterns were also detected by fluorescent imaging in 37 procedures, which all revealed lymphatic drainage toward the axilla except in one case with internal mammary pathway.ConclusionThis study demonstrated the accuracy and safety of ICG for SLNB and its superiority to blue dye method in SLN localization. Therefore, ICG fluorescence method is safe and effective addition in breast clinical settings, wherein blue dye alone is used.     

Clinicopathologic analysis of sentinel lymph node mapping in early breast cancer

Axillary nodal status is the most significant prognosticator for predicting survival and guiding adjuvant therapy in breast cancer patients. Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) represents a minimally invasive procedure with low morbidity for staging axillary nodal status. In this article we review and report our experiences in patients with early breast cancer who underwent SLNB at the Revlon/UCLA Breast Center. Between September 1998 and May 2000, a total 83 SLNBs were performed in 81 patients with proven breast cancer and negative axillary examination who elected to have SLNB as the first step of nodal staging. Two patients had bilateral breast cancer. SLNB was localized by using both 99Tc sulfur colloid (83 cases) and isosulfan blue dye (75 cases). Data of these patients were prospectively collected and analyzed. The clinical and pathologic characteristics of women with positive and negative sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) were compared to identify features predictive of SLN metastasis. Of the 83 cases, the SLN was successfully localized in 82 (98.8%). Sixty-three percent of patients had SLNs found in level I only, 18.3% in both level I and II, and 4.9% in level II alone. The vast majority (84.3%) of these cases had T1 breast cancer with an average size of 1.55 cm for the entire series. Twenty-three patients (28%) had positive SLNs, with an average of 1.5 positive SLNs per patient. Fifteen had metastases detected by hematoxylin and eosin staining and 8 had micrometastases detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC) using anticytokeratin antibodies. Ten of the former group agreed to and 2 of the latter group opted for full axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). An average of 17.5 lymph nodes were removed from each ALND procedure. Additional metastases or micrometastases were found in seven patients (in a total of 28 lymph nodes). Three patients with completely negative SLNs experienced additional axillary lymph node removal due to their election of free flap reconstruction. None had metastases detected in these lymph nodes. The absence of estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER/PR) by IHC (p = 0.036) and the presence of lymphatic/vascular invasion (LVI) (p = 0.002) predicted positive SLNs in patients with early breast cancer in a univariate analysis; in a multivariate analysis only LVI was predictive (p = 0.0125). Histologic type, nuclear grade, tumor differentiation, HER-2/neu and p53 status, S-phase fraction, and DNA ploidy did not predict SLN status. Immediate postoperative complications were uncommon and delayed complications completely absent. Because of the high detection rate, accurate staging, and minimal morbidity, SLNB should be offered as a choice to women with small breast cancers and clinically negative nodes. Because positive LVI and negative ER/PR status are highly predictive of pathologically positive SLNs in small breast cancers, women whose cancers meet these criteria should be advised preoperatively about their risk of having a positive SLN and may benefit from intraoperative assessment (frozen section and/or touch preparation) of their SLNs.     

Effect of lymphatic tumor burden on sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer

Distal obstruction of the lymphatics by tumor and extensive tumor infiltration of the draining lymph nodes may prevent migration of the tracer to the sentinel lymph node (SLN), adversely affecting SLN identification. Rerouting of lymphatic drainage may divert flow to internal mammary nodes and cause an alternative nonsentinel node to become "sentinel," increasing the risk of a false-negative result. A total of 618 breast cancer patients underwent SLN biopsy using 99mTc albumin colloid and patent blue V injected peritumorally. This was followed by standard axillary node clearance in all patients at the same operation. The overall SLN identification and false-negative rates were 96% (593/618) and 7.6% (17/223), respectively. There was no difference in the SLN identification rate and the false-negative rate with increasing axillary tumor burden (as determined by the total number of positive nodes in the axilla). Further detailed analyses are based on the 64 patients from one center (Cardiff) who had at least one positive SLN and proceeded to axillary clearance. A total of 83 positive SLNs were removed from 64 patients. Tumor burden in the positive SLN was assessed by measuring the size of the metastasis and percentage replacement of the SLN by tumor, and by documenting extranodal invasion. Increasing tumor burden in the SLN (as determined by percentage replacement of SLN by tumor and presence of extranodal invasion) was associated with decreased radioisotope uptake (p = 0.005 and p < 0.0001, respectively). There was no correlation between radioisotope uptake and the size of the metastasis in the SLN. There was no correlation between blue dye uptake, internal mammary drainage on lymphoscintiscan, and tumor burden in the positive SLN. In conclusion, increased axillary lymphatic tumor burden is not associated with failure to identify a SLN or false-negative results when both blue dye and radioisotope are used for SLN biopsy. In an individual SLN, the percentage replacement by tumor, but not the absolute size of the metastatic deposit is associated with reduced radioisotope uptake. Extranodal invasion in the SLN is a marker of lymphatic obstruction and is significantly associated with reduced radioisotope uptake. The lymphatic tumor burden does not seem to affect blue dye uptake or internal mammary drainage.     

Predictors to Assess Non‐Sentinel Lymph Node Status in Breast Cancer Patients with Sentinel Lymph Node Metastasis

Abstract: The next step of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in breast cancer is to determine which patients need axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) following a positive SLNB. A prospective database of 239 patients who underwent SLNB followed by complete ALND at Keio University Hospital from January 2001 to June 2005 was reviewed. A total of 131 patients with one or more positive sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) were further analyzed. A univariate analysis showed a significant correlation between non‐SLN involvement and lymphatic invasion, vascular invasion, number of tumor‐involved SLNs, radioactivity of SLNs, and size of SLN metastasis (p = 0.0002, p = 0.004, p = 0.006, p = 0.04, p = 0.03, respectively). By multivariate analysis, lymphatic invasion and the number of tumor‐involved SLNs remained significant predictors of non‐SLN involvement. In breast cancer patients with a positive SLN, lymphatic invasion and the number of tumor‐involved SLNs were both independent predictors of non‐SLN involvement.     

Role of Combined Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy and Axillary Node Sampling in Clinically Node-Negative Breast Cancer

Axillary lymph node status is a prognostic marker in breast cancer management, and axillary surgery plays an important role in staging and local control. This study aims to assess whether a combination of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) using patent blue dye and axillary node sampling (ANS) offers equivalent identification rate to dual tracer technique. Furthermore, we aim to investigate whether there are any potential benefits to this combined technique. Retrospective study of 230 clinically node-negative patients undergoing breast-conserving surgery for single T1–T3 tumours between 2006 and 2011. Axillae were staged using a combined blue dye SLNB/ANS technique. SLNs were localized in 226/230 (identification rate 98.3 %). Three of one hundred ninety-two patients with a negative SLN were found to have positive ANS nodes and 1/4 failed SLNB patients had positive ANS nodes. Thirty-four of two hundred twenty-six patients had SLN metastases and 11/34 (32.4 %) also had a positive non-sentinel lymph node on ANS. Twenty-one of twenty-four (87.5 %) node-positive T1 tumours had single node involvement. Nine of thirty-eight node-positive patients progressed to completion axillary clearance (cALND), and the rest were treated with axillary radiotherapy. Axillary recurrence was nil at median 5 year follow-up. Complementing SLNB with axillary node sampling (ANS) decreases the unavoidable false-negative rate associated with SLNB. Appropriate operator experience and technique can result in an SLN localization rate of 98 %, rivalling a dual tracer technique. The additional insight offered by ANS into the status of non-sentinel nodes has potential applications in an era of less frequent cALND.     

Evolution of sentinel lymph node biopsy for melanoma at a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center

BACKGROUND: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has rapidly evolved into the standard of care for clinically node-negative melanoma. Since adopting sentinel lymph node (SLN) technology in 1993, we have periodically reviewed our institution's results and made several modifications. METHODS: From January 1993 to December 1998, 182 patients with clinically node-negative primary cutaneous melanoma underwent SLNB. Charts were retrospectively reviewed and assessed for the technique for the identification of the SLN, the pathologic analysis, and the use of intraoperative frozen section. RESULTS: The accuracy of SLN identification improved from 91% to 100% with the combination of isosulfan blue dye and radiolabeled colloid over isosulfan blue dye alone. Routine versus selective lymphoscintigraphy identified 7 in-transit SLNs and increased detection of dual nodal basin drainage (15%-27%). Identification of micrometastases in the SLN increased from 14% to 24% after a modification of pathologic evaluation. The positive SLN was the only involved node in most patients (80%). Intraoperative frozen section had a sensitivity of 58% and was of benefit in only 13 of 124 patients (10%). CONCLUSIONS: Several modifications to the identification of the SLNs and the detection of metastatic melanoma have improved our outcome with SLNB. A careful, periodic review of results to identify areas for improvement at each institution is crucial to the success of SLNB for melanoma.     

乳腺癌前哨淋巴结活检替代腋窝清扫术前瞻性非随机对照临床研究

目的：探讨前哨淋巴结活检术（sentinel lymph node biopsy，SLNB）替代腋淋巴结切除术（axiHary lymph node dissection．ALND）的可行性。方法：联合应用亚甲蓝和^99mTc标记的硫胶体进行SLNB。2001年12月起山东省肿瘤医院乳腺病中心两个治疗组收治的临床T1.2N0M0乳腺癌病人进入本前瞻性非随机对照临床研究。A组病人SLNB后均行ALND。B组病人签署知情同意书，不同意SLNB替代ALND病人（B1组）治疗同A组；同意SLNB替代ALND病人（B2组）依据SLN状况，SLN阴性仅行SLNB，SLN阳性行ALND。结果：2001年12月-2005年6月共入组642例病人，其中A组114例（17．8％），B组528例（82.2％），B1组195例，B2组333例。B2组病人SLN阴性240例仅行SLNB；SLN阳性93例，其中87例接受ALND，另6例SLN镜下微小转移灶者中4例仅行SLNB，2例接受SLNB加区域淋巴结放疗。SLNB替代ALND者各项术后并发症显著低于ALND者（均P〈0．05）。B2组244例仅行SLNB病人中位随访26个月（7-48个月），2例病人发现区域淋巴结复发（0．82％），与ALND腋淋巴结阴性组病人（0％）相比差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。SLN术中冰冻快速病理诊断准确率98．5％，假阴性率5．4％。结论：SLNB可以缩小手术范围、减少病人术后并发症。SLN术中冰冻快速病理诊断具有较高的准确性，能够满足临床需要。     

Sentinel lymph node dissection for breast cancer: how many nodes are enough and which technique is optimal?

BACKGROUND: Controversy exists in sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping in breast cancer regarding the appropriate number of nodes to remove and the best technique for identification of the SLNs. METHODS: A retrospective chart review from January of 1999 to January of 2004 was performed for all patients undergoing a SLN biopsy examination who had at least 1 positive SLN. RESULTS: We identified 167 patients. A mean of 4.4 SLNs were removed per patient. All of the positive SLNs were identified by node 6. Radiotracer used alone identified 19 positive nodes (11.4%) and blue dye used alone identified 14 positive nodes (8.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that 100% of positive SLNs are found by 6 nodes removed, thereby supporting the concept that the SLN dissection may not be complete by removing only 1 or 2 nodes or only the hottest node. The use of blue dye or radiotracer alone can contribute to the overall false-negative rate.     

核素染料联合法在早期乳腺癌前哨淋巴结活检手术中的临床应用

目的探讨99Tcm-硫胶体和亚甲蓝蓝染料联合进行前哨淋巴结活检(sentinel lymph node biopsy,SLNB)在早期乳腺癌中的临床应用价值。方法本组201例患者均采用亚甲蓝蓝染料、99Tcm-硫胶体及两者联合应用进行SLNB,并记录相关临床病理数据,进行统计分析。结果 201例患者中成功检出前哨淋巴结(sentinellymph node,SLN)200例,其中染料法、核素法及联合法的SLN检出率分别为85.4%(170/199)、99.5%(200/201)和99.5%(198/199),染料法的SLN检出率较低(P<0.001);准确率分别为95.3%(162/170)、94.5%(189/200)和98.0%(194/198),差异无统计学意义(P=0.185);假阴性率分别为11.3%(8/71)、13.9%(11/79)和5.1%(4/79),差异无统计学意义(P=0.165)。联合法比染料法或核素法能检出更多的SLN(P<0.001)。相对于联合法,染料法和核素法分别有12例和7例SLN癌转移的患者漏检,漏诊率分别为16.0%(12/75)和9.3%(7/75)。结论联合法的SLN检出率较高,能检出更多的SLN,临床实践中应尽量采用联合法进行SLNB。     

Concordance of peritumoral technetium 99m colloid and subareolar blue dye injection in breast cancer sentinel lymph node biopsy

INTRODUCTION: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping has emerged as a less invasive method for axillary lymph node staging in patients with breast cancer. Blue dye and radioisotopes are commonly used agents to localize SLNs, but the optimal site for the injection of these agents continues to be debated. In this study, we evaluated whether subareolar injection of blue dye led to the identification of the same SLNs as peritumoral injection of technetium colloid. METHODS: From March 2003 to August 2006, 124 patients with invasive breast cancer, diagnosed by core needle biopsy, were included in this study. Demographic and clinical data were abstracted from medical records. Approximately 1 h prior to surgery, all patients had peritumoral injection of 37 Mbq of Tc-99m-sulfur colloid. In the operating room, 3 to 5 mL of 1% lymphazurin was injected into the subareolar area. SLNs were categorized as radio-labeled-only, blue-only, or radio-labeled + blue. Data were analyzed with 95% exact confidence intervals, Spearman rank coefficient and kappa coefficient. RESULTS: The mean number of SLNs identified was 1.9 (range 1-5). With the combination of two methods 122 out of 124 patients (98.4%) had successful identification of SLNs. One hundred fifteen patients (92.7%) had SLNs that were blue and 121 patients (97.6%) had radio-labeled SLNs. One hundred fourteen patients had at least one SLN that was both blue and radio-labeled, yielding a concordance rate of 91.9% (95% CI, 0.88-0.98). Metastatic disease was identified in SLNs of 28 patients. All lymph nodes with evidence of metastasis were both blue and radio-labeled. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed a high degree of concordance between subareolar blue dye and peritumoral radiocolloid in identification of SLNs. These results further support that the breast parenchyma and subareolar plexus drain to similar SLNs within the axilla. These two techniques can complement each other in localizing SLNs with a high success rate.     

前哨淋巴结快速活检在乳腺癌根治术中的意义

目的：探讨乳腺癌前哨淋巴结活检(sentinel lymph node biopsy，SLNB)的可行性和准确性，及其在乳腺癌手术中的临床应用价值。方法：对32例乳腺癌病人行SLNB，术中在肿瘤周边选二点注射1％美蓝5ml，根据肿块距腋窝的距离，5～10min后沿腋窝下皱折线切开，循蓝染淋巴管寻找前哨淋巴结(sentinel lymp hnode，SLN)。其中27例切除SLN后行腋窝淋巴结解剖(axillry lymph node dissection，ALND)，两标本同时送病理检查，了解其符合率，并评价SLNB的可行性。结果:全组均进行了SLNB识别定位，1例未取到SLN，检出率为96．9％；另一例SLN病理呈假阴性。按目前国外SLNB的评价标准，本组SLNB的敏感度为88．2％，准确性为96．9％，假阳性率为0，假阴性率为5．9％。结论:乳腺癌SLNB目前仍处于研究阶段，随着研究的深入与扩大，将成为早期乳腺癌的诊疗常规，阴性可避免ALND的痛苦。     

Axillary sentinel lymph node identification using superparamagnetic iron oxide versus radioisotope in early stage breast cancer: The UK SentiMag trial (SMART study)

Background & ObjectivesSentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is an accurate and reliable method for staging the axilla in early breast cancer. The gold standard technique for localizing the sentinel lymph node (SLN) is the use of radioisotope with or without blue dye. However, this technique has its limitations. Various alternatives have been explored to overcome the disadvantages of the standard SLNB technique and superparamagnetic iron oxide mapping agents have garnered significant attention. The SMART study aims to compare the magnetic technique using the superparamagnetic iron oxide particles (SPIO, Sienna+®) to the radioisotope technique (Tc99) +/− blue dye, for SLN identification in patients with early breast cancer.MethodsA prospective, multicenter study was done that recruited 109 clinically node-negative early-stage breast cancer patients from five centres in the United Kingdom (UK). The patients received radioisotope ± blue dye injections, followed by intraoperative injection of magnetic tracer prior to SLNB. The sentinel node identification rate was compared between the magnetic and standard techniques to evaluate detection rate (per patient and per node), non-inferiority and concordance.ResultsData was analysed for 107 patients. The per patient detection rate was 98.13% (105/107) when using the magnetic tracer and 92.26% (103/107) when using the standard technique. The nodal detection rate was 93.07% (188/202 nodes) when using the magnetic tracer and 96.53% (195/202) when using the standard technique. Of the 31 patients with positive sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs), all 31 (100%) were detected by both techniques.ConclusionOur study demonstrates that the magnetic technique is a feasible method for SLNB, with an identification rate that is not inferior to the standard technique. The magnetic technique offers a suitable alternative to the standard technique thereby avoiding the need for the complexities of nuclear medicine, the hazards of radiation and the anaphylaxis risk of blue dye.