Sentinel lymph node biopsy after percutaneous diagnosis of nonpalpable breast cancer

PURPOSE: To determine the technical success rate of sentinel lymph node biopsy in I women with nonpalpable infiltrating breast cancer diagnosed by using percutaneous core biopsy and to determine the frequency with which sentinel lymph node biopsy obviated axillary dissection. MATERIALS AND;:METHODS: Retrospective review revealed 33 women who underwent sentinel node biopsy after percutaneous core biopsy diagnosis of nonpalpable infiltrating breast cancer. Sentinel nodes were identified with radioisotope and blue dye; the procedure was technically successful if sentinel nodes were found at surgery. All sentinel nodes were excised. Axillary dissection was performed if tumor was present in sentinel nodes. RESULTS: Sentinel noes were found-at surge; in 30 women (91% sentinel nodes were identified with both radioisotope and blue dye in 22 (73%) of these women, with only radioisotope in six (20%), and with only blue dye in two (7%). Sentinel nodes were found in 12 (80%) of 15 women in the first half of the study versus all 18 (100%) women in the second;half (P = .08). Sentinel nodes were free of tumor in 23 (77%) of 3;0 women. In six;(86%)of seven women with tumor in sentinel nodes, the sentinel nodes were the only nodes with tumor. CONCLUSION: Sentinel node biopsy was successful in 30 women(91%) with nonpalpable infiltrating carcinoma diagnosed with percutaneous core biopsy and obviated axillary dissection in 23 women (70%). Using both radioisotope and blue dye may increase curve exists, and success improves with experience.