Sentinel node biopsy in breast cancer: Results of 103 cases

Background: In early breast cancer the status of the axillary nodes has been shown to be one of the primary prognostic indicators. Biopsy of the sentinel node, or first draining lymph node, of a tumour has been investigated as an alternative to axillary dissection in early breast cancer. A series of sentinel node biopsies in 103 patients is reported here. Methods: Both pre-operative lymphoscintigraphy and intra-operative blue dye were used to map the sentinel nodes. Results: Mapping was successful in 87 (84.4%) cases and sentinel nodes were retrieved in 94.2% of these patients. Where lympho-scintigraphic mapping was unsuccessful, sentinel nodes were found in 37.5%. When sentinel nodes were retrieved, correlation of the sentinel node status with the axillary nodes was accurate in 97.5%. There were two false negatives, both in large tumours. The sentinel node status was an accurate predictor of axillary status in 95.7% of the node positive patients. Conclusions: If only the 86 patients with invasive carcinoma and four or more axillary nodes removed at surgery are considered, the sentinel node was accurate in assessing the axillary status in 97.7% of the total patient group (2.3% false negative rate). 97.2% of those in whom sentinel nodes were successfully retrieved (2.8% false negative rate) and 94.9% of the patients with positive axillary nodes (5.1% false negative rate). Sentinel node biopsy is a valid technique providing an accurate reflection of the axillary node status and having a low false negative rate.