FREQUENCY OF SENTINEL NODE IDENTIFICATION BY SCINTIGRAPHY IN BREAST CANCER PATIENTS WITH CLINICALLY NON-PALPABLE AXILLARY LYMPH NODES

Abstract

OBJECTIVE

To determine the frequency of sentinel lymph node identification using scintigraphy in breast cancer patients with clinically non-palpable axillary lymph nodes.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a cross-sectional descriptive study.

PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY

The study was conducted in the Department of Radiology, Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi, Pakistan from 25-11-2011 to 28-12-2012 for a total duration of 13 months.

PATIENTS& METHODS: Hundred and forty nine (149)  newly diagnosed patients with breast cancer having clinically non-palpable axillary lymph nodes, referred for sentinel node scintigraphy were included in the study. These patients underwent sentinel lymph node mapping one day before surgery.

RESULTS: Sentinel lymph node was identified in 139 patients (93.3%) and could not be identified in 10 patients (6.7%). All female patients in this study had a mean age of 54.2 years (range 23 to 80 years). Family history was positive for breast cancer in 67 (45%) patients and negative in 82(55%) patients. Duration of disease ranged from 04 to 30 days. No significant effect of age, family history or disease duration was seen on the identification of sentinel lymph node.

 CONCLUSION:

Substantially good identification of the sentinel lymph nodes was seen in the breast cancer patients with clinically non-palpable axillary lymph nodes.No significant effect of age, family history or disease duration was seen on sentinel lymph node identification.

KEYWORDS

Breast cancer, scintigraphy, axillary lymph nodes, sentinel node biopsy.