Metastases in axillary sentinel lymph nodes in breast cancer as detected by intensive histopathological work up

AIM: To assess the value of the intensive histological work up of axillary sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) to demonstrate regional metastatic disease. METHODS: From a series of 58 successful lymphatic mapping procedures, 78 SLN were analysed by serial sections (mean of 49 levels/SLN) and by immunostaining to cytokeratin and epithelial membrane antigen, and the results compared with those obtained by assessing the central cross section. RESULTS: The central cross section would have failed to detect metastases in eight of 26 lymph nodes (31%) in patients with breast cancer metastasising to the SLN only. This would have led to a false negative node status in six of 21 patients (29%). Two micrometastases were detected with the aid of immunostains. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest the need to examine SLN at multiple levels and to use immunohistochemistry in negative cases. Serial sections are also useful in the case of micrometastases, as some of these may convert to macrometastases at deeper levels. Multiple level investigation of SLN and immunohistochemistry in the event of the negativity of standard stains would result in improved staging and an increase in the proportion of node positive disease detected.