Recurrence and morbidity in patients undergoing sentinel lymph node biopsy in Japanese breast cancer patients

Abstract

11062 Background: Aim of this study was to determine the axillary lymph nodes recurrence rate in breast cancer patients with tumor less than 5 cm (T2), who did not have axillary node dissection with negative sentinel lymph node (SLN). Methods: SLN biopsies were performed in 403 consecutive patients with breast cancer up to 5 cm and clinically negative axillary node from May, 2000, to December, 2005. SLN were identified using the combined method with sulfan blue dye and technetium 99m-labelled stannous phytate. SLN were examined with H&E staining. In patinets with negative SLN, additional axillary nodes dissection were avoided. Results: The SLN identification rate was 99.8% (402 out of 403). Three-hundred forty-one (341) patients (84.8%) who were found to have no metastatic disease, were observed and followed without further axillary dissection. At a mean follow-up of 35.7 months (range, 12–79 months), five of these patients (1.5%) developed an axillary recurrence. SLN biopsy was not associated with morbidity such as arm lymph edema. Conclusion: With intermediate-term follow-up, the axillary recurrence rate was low and there was none of morbidity. We conclude that SLN biopsy is a promising alternative to axillary lymph node dissection in patients with breast cancer up to 5 cm in Japanese women. No significant financial relationships to disclose.