Abstract
Background: We hypothesized that even in the face of a positive intramammary lymph node (IMLN) a negative axillary sentinel lymph node (SLN) reliably stages the axilla and complete axillary lymph node dissection (CALND) can be avoided. Methods: A literature search identified 386 publications that included IMLNs and SLN biopsies. Patients with a positive IMLN and negative axillary SLN who underwent a CALND were included. A review of our database was also performed. Results: Twenty-one cases in the literature met our criteria. A review of our database resulted in 2 additional cases. Twenty-three patients were identified who had a positive IMLN, negative axillary SLN biopsy, and underwent a CALND. In all cases, the CALND was negative. Conclusions: An axillary SLN biopsy accurately represents the disease status of the axilla in cases with a positive IMLN. CALND can be avoided in the setting of a positive IMLN and a negative axillary SLN biopsy.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 151-155 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | American journal of surgery |
Volume | 203 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 2012 |
Keywords
- Breast cancer
- Complete node dissection
- Intramammary lymph node
- Intramammary sentinel lymph node
- Sentinel lymph node
- Staging
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Surgery