Axillary Recurrence in Breast Cancer Patients After Negative Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy: Retrospective Cohort Study From Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Roqayah I Alsunitan,Shaimaa A Bugshan,Abdulaziz Al-Saif,Saud M Alghamdi,Bader A Alyousef

doi:10.7759/cureus.20132

Abstract

Breast cancer (BC) is among the most prevalent cancers globally. For minimally invasive axillary staging in early breast cancer, sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is commonly regarded as the gold standard. Historically, axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) was used as a staging procedure, but the less morbid SLNB has now replaced it. This retrospective cohort study, undertaken with patients at King Saud University Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, evaluates mid-term follow-up data on axillary recurrences and outcomes for breast cancer patients with negative SLNB. The results indicate that the five-year risk of developing regional recurrence following negative SLNB is 0% in breast cancer patients. The low relapse rate further contributes to the evidence base suggesting the efficacy of SLNB and the higher morbidity associated with ALND. Future researchers should conduct a nationwide and long-term follow-up study to offer additional insights into the efficacy of SLNB.

Highlights

Breast cancer (BC) is among the most prevalent cancers [1]
For axillary staging in early BC management, sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is regarded as the best available staging procedure
Patients were excluded if any of the following criteria were satisfied: pregnant or lactating women; received additional axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) for validation after negative SLNB; micro or macro metastases detected in sentinel lymph nodes; or positive lymph node metastases confirmed using biopsy

Summary

Introduction

The age-standardized rate of BC in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is 24.9 per 100,000, while at diagnosis, the median age is 49 years. Due to technological and procedural improvements in diagnostic imaging, cancer treatment, and timely detection, BC’s long-term survival rate has improved in recent years [3]. The method of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) was first reported in the context of BC in 1994 [4]. The accuracy and feasibility of SLNB have been investigated, but few studies have focused on the mid-term and long-term follow-up results. This retrospective study’s aim was to assess mid-term follow-up data regarding the axillary recurrences and outcomes of BC patients with negative SLNB in Saudi Arabia

Participants

Results

Surgical procedure type

Discussion

Conclusions

Disclosures