Cost consequences of sentinel lymph node biopsy in the treatment of breast cancer - A preliminary analysis

Objectives: To assess whether sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB), an alternative to axillary lymph node dissection in treating female breast cancer, affords any cost savings. Methods: We profile cumulative treatment costs of 811 breast cancer patients, 555 of whom received SLNB. Univariate and multivariate statistical tests are used to appraise whether these cost profiles differ between SLNB and other patients. Results: The statistical results are mixed. However, none supports the conjecture that SLNB necessarily lowers the cost of treating the average breast patient. Conclusions: SLNB may be cost-effective, but longer term costs and outcomes must be estimated before firm conclusions can be reached.