Sentinel node biopsy in patients with breast carcinoma accurately predicts the axillary nodal status. However, in some 6% of patients with negative sentinel nodes the remaining axillary nodes harbour metastases. Our purpose was to observe a large number of patients who did not undergo an axillary dissection after a negative sentinel node biopsy for the appearance of overt axillary metastases. 953 patients treated from 1996 to 2000, with negative sentinel nodes not submitted to axillary dissection, were followed-up to 7 years, with a median follow-up of 38 months. Fifty-five unfavourable events occurred among the 953 patients, 37 (4%) related to the primary breast carcinoma. Three cases of overt axillary metastases were found: they received total axillary dissection and are presently alive and well. The 5 year overall survival rate of the whole series was 98%. Patients with negative sentinel node biopsies not submitted to axillary dissection show during follow-up a rate of overt axillary metastases that is lower than that expected.
Sentinel node biopsy in breast cancer: early results in 953 patients with negative sentinel node biopsy and no axillary dissection / U. Veronesi, V. Galimberti, L. Mariani, G. Gatti, G. Paganelli, G. Viale, S. Zurrida, P. Veronesi, M. Intra, R. Gennari, A. R. Vento, A. Luini, M. Tullii, G. Bassani, N. Rotmensz. - In: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CANCER. - ISSN 0959-8049. - 41:41(2005), pp. 231-237.
Sentinel node biopsy in breast cancer: early results in 953 patients with negative sentinel node biopsy and no axillary dissection
G. Viale;S. Zurrida;P. Veronesi;
2005
Abstract
Sentinel node biopsy in patients with breast carcinoma accurately predicts the axillary nodal status. However, in some 6% of patients with negative sentinel nodes the remaining axillary nodes harbour metastases. Our purpose was to observe a large number of patients who did not undergo an axillary dissection after a negative sentinel node biopsy for the appearance of overt axillary metastases. 953 patients treated from 1996 to 2000, with negative sentinel nodes not submitted to axillary dissection, were followed-up to 7 years, with a median follow-up of 38 months. Fifty-five unfavourable events occurred among the 953 patients, 37 (4%) related to the primary breast carcinoma. Three cases of overt axillary metastases were found: they received total axillary dissection and are presently alive and well. The 5 year overall survival rate of the whole series was 98%. Patients with negative sentinel node biopsies not submitted to axillary dissection show during follow-up a rate of overt axillary metastases that is lower than that expected.Pubblicazioni consigliate
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