Validation of Sentinel Lymph Node Dissection for Breast Cancer

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Sentinel lymph node dissection has become an alternative to predict axillary lymph node status in breast cancer in recent years. The purpose of this study is to validate this new surgical technique. Methods: From February to December 2005, we have had 44 patients with breast cancer undergo sentinel lymph node dissection in the practice of isotope, blue dye or a combined method. Of the 44 patients, 21 patients received sentinel lymph node dissection followed by complete axillary lymph node dissection and 23 patients would have only received sentinel lymph node biopsy without complete axillary lymph node dissection if sentinel lymph node dissection had been successful. Results: Sentinel lymph nodes can not be found in 3 cases, so the identification rate is 93.2% (41/44). Since there was only one false negative in complete axillary lymph node dissection group, the total accuracy rate turned out to be 95.2% (20/21) and the negative predictive rate was 91.6%. Conclusion: Sentinel lymph node can be identified in most cases and can be used to predict the axillary lymph node status in well-selected cases.