TC-99M SESTAMIBI IMAGING IN THE DETECTION OF AXILLARY LYMPH-NODE INVOLVEMENT IN PATIENTS WITH BREAST-CANCER

Background. The status of the axillary lymph nodes is the most importa nt prognostic factor in breast cancer, and the findings of axillary no de dissection remain the gold standard for the patients staging and pr ognosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of Tc-99 m sestamibi scintigraphy in the detection of axillary node involvement . Materials and Methods. Forty-nine patients (age range: 32-75 years) with breast cancel were studied Dynamic images (1-20 minutes post-inje ction of the radiopharmaceutical) followed by multiple planar views an d tomographic images were performed. Final diagnosis was achieved by h istology after surgery. Results. Metastatic axillary lymph node involv ement was present in 21 patients: sensitivity was 81% (17/21) for tomo graphic and 61.9% (13/21) for planar images; specificity was 92.9% (26 /28) and 96.4% (27/25), respectively. Conclusions. Tc-99m sestamibi im aging is a promising noninvasive method to detect axillary node metast ases in patients with breast cancer; tomography appears more sensitive than planar views.