Sentinel lymph node-biopsy in breast cancer: Initial experience at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Journal Article


Authors: O'Hea, B. J.; Hill, A. D. K.; El-Shirbiny, A. M.; Yeh, S. D. J.; Rosen, P. P.; Coit, D. G.; Borgen, P. I.; Cody, H. S. 3rd
Article Title: Sentinel lymph node-biopsy in breast cancer: Initial experience at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Abstract: Background: Sentinel node biopsy (SNB) has emerged as a potential alternative to routine axillary dissection in clinically node-negative breast cancer. Study Design: From September 1995 to June 1996 at Memorial Sloan- Kettering Cancer Center, 60 patients with clinically node-negative cancer underwent SNB, which was immediately followed by standard axillary dissection. Both blue dye and radioisotope were used to identify the sentinel node. SNB was compared with standard axillary dissection for its ability to accurately reflect the final pathologic status of the axillary nodes. Results: The sentinel node was successfully identified by lymphoscintigraphy in 75% (42 of 56), by blue dye in 75% (44 of 59), by isotope in 88% (52 of 59), and by the combination of blue dye and isotope in 93% (55 of 59) of all 59 evaluable patients. Of the 55 patients in this study where sentinel nodes were identified, 20 (36%) were histologically positive. The sentinel node was falsely negative in three patients, yielding an accuracy of 95%. SNB was more accurate for T1 (98%) than for T2-T3 tumors (82%). Conclusions: Lymphatic mapping is technically feasible, reliably identifies a sentinel node in most cases, and appears more accurate for T1 tumors than for larger lesions. Blue dye and radioisotope are complementary techniques, and the overall success of the procedure is maximized when the two are used together.
Keywords: adult; middle aged; major clinical study; cancer staging; lymph node dissection; lymph nodes; lymphatic metastasis; neoplasm staging; lymphoscintigraphy; lymph node excision; prospective studies; radiopharmaceuticals; technetium tc 99m sulfur colloid; breast cancer; breast neoplasms; biopsy; feasibility studies; lymph node biopsy; coloring agents; humans; human; female; priority journal; article
Journal Title: Journal of the American College of Surgeons
Volume: 186
Issue: 4
ISSN: 1072-7515
Publisher: Elsevier Science, Inc.  
Date Published: 1998-04-01
Start Page: 423
End Page: 427
Language: English
DOI: 10.1016/s1072-7515(98)00060-x
PUBMED: 9544956
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 12 December 2016 -- Source: Scopus
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Citation Impact
MSK Authors
  1. Samuel D J Yeh
    107 Yeh
  2. Hiram S Cody III
    241 Cody
  3. Arnold D Hill
    16 Hill
  4. Patrick I Borgen
    253 Borgen
  5. Daniel Coit
    532 Coit
  6. Paul P Rosen
    200 Rosen