False-negative sentinel node biopsy in breast cancer with positive intraoperative palpable axillary nodes: Case report and review of literature

Abstract

Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy has become increasingly accepted as a minimally invasive alternative to level I/II axillary dissection for the staging of breast cancer. We present a case of a patient with breast cancer with clinically negative axillary node and histologically negative sentinel biopsy. Intraoperatively, she had highly suspicious palpable level I and II axillary nodes though the sentinel biopsy wound, of which 9 out of 11 nodes removed were positive for malignancy.