SENTINEL LYMPH-NODE MAPPING OPENS A NEW PERSPECTIVE IN THE SURGICAL-MANAGEMENT OF EARLY-STAGE BREAST-CANCER - A COMBINED APPROACH WITH VITAL BLUE-DYE LYMPHATIC MAPPING AND RADIOGUIDED SURGERY

Recent studies have demonstrated the possibility of identifying the se ntinel lymph node (sN) as a reliable predictor of axillary lymph node status in both cutaneous melanoma and breast cancer. However, some imp ortant issues need further definition: (1) optimization of the techniq ue for intraoperative detection of the sN; (2) predictive value of the sN as regards axillary lymph node status, and (3) reliability of intr aoperative histology of the sN. We report our experience in sN mapping in patients with Stage I-II breast cancer, with the aim of assessing: (1) the feasibility of lymphatic mapping with a combined approach (vi tal blue dye lymphatic mapping and radioguided surgery); (2) the agree ment of the intraoperative histologic examination of the sN, by means of hematoxylin and eosin staining with final histology, and (3) the ac curacy of sN histology as a predictor of axillary lymph node status. S emin. Surg. Oncol. 15:272-277, 1998. (C) 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.