TITLE:
Axillary Recurrences after Sentinel Node Surgery—Results over Ten Years in a University Hospital
AUTHORS:
Helle Eilertsen, Ellen Schlichting, Marianne Efskind Harr, Daehoon Park, Torill Sauer, Siri Larønningen, Rolf Kaaresen
KEYWORDS:
Breast Cancer; Ductal Carcinoma in Situ; Sentinel Node; Non-Sentinel Metastasis; Axillary Recurrence
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Cancer Therapy,
Vol.3 No.5A,
November
2,
2012
ABSTRACT: Background: Sentinel node biopsy (SNB) was introduced at Ullevaal University Hospital in 2000. This article presents results from the first ten years use of the method. Material and Methods: A prospective registration of 2762 patients was made from 2000 through 2009. Results: The median follow-up time was 51 months. The overall detection rate was 93%. 36% of the patients with positive SNs had non-sentinel metastases. These were significantly associated with a macrometastatic SN and a primary tumour>20 mm. 18% of patients with sentinel metastasis≤2 mm had non-sentinel metastases. 14 patients with negative SN (0.7%) developed axillary recurrence. 32% with a preoperative diagnosis of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) were upstaged to infiltrating carcinoma on final histology. None of the patients with pure DCIS had positive SNs. Conclusion: Few late events (0.7%) in SN negative axillas demonstrate the safety of the technique.