Sentinel node biopsy in breast cancer patients. First results

BACKGROUND: Sentinel node biopsy is ment to excise the first-echelon node f rom a primary tumor, which is the one that most probably harbors early meta stases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We report our results in 35 patients with breast canc er, using a radiotracer by peri-tumoral injection, pre surgical scintigraph y and intraoperative mapping with a gamma probe. RESULTS: The technical success rate was 97%, negative predictive value 95,2 %, accuracy 97%, and added value to staging 40%. CONCLUSION: Compared with the conventional lymph-node staging procedure for breast cancer, sentinel-node biopsy will, pre-surgical scintigraphy seems a good practical choice.