CLINICAL-APPLICATION OF LYMPHATIC MAPPING AND SENTINEL NODE BIOPSY INPATIENTS WITH BREAST-CANCER

Sentinel lymph node (SN) biopsy in primary breast cancer seems to be a n alternative to complete axillary lymph node dissection for evaluatio n of the axillary lymph node status in selected patients. Following ev aluation of the technique of SN biopsy, we applied SN biopsy clinicall y to 23 selected patients. A lymphoscintigraphy was performed preopera tively to evaluate lymphatic drainage. The SN was identified in the op erating room by use of a hand-held gamma camera and a blue vital dye. The SN was found in all 23 patients. In 17/23 the SN was tumor free an d no axillary dissection was performed; 6/23 showed a positive SN and complete axillary dissection was done. Intraoperative lymphatic mappin g and SN biopsy may be the treatment of choice for evaluation of axill ary node status in selected patients, for it combines accurate nodal s taging and low morbidity.