Incidence of Axillary Recurrence in 344 Sentinel Node Negative Breast Cancer Patients after Intermediate Follow-Up

Abstract

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has been validated in the treatment of breast carcinoma and is considered to stage the axilla adequately in this disease. However, long-term follow-up data are scarce. We evaluated the results of SLNB with respect to loco-regional failures in the axilla in SN-negative patients with invasive breast carcinoma and analysed their causal factors.

Between 1997 and May 2004, 656 patients without clinically palpable lymph nodes were included in our study. Data

with regard to demographics, diagnostics, therapy and follow up were gathered prospectively from all patients. Patients

treated after May 2004 were excluded from this study to permit at least one year of follow-up.

Out of the 656 patients, 344 patients with a negative sentinel lymph node biopsy did not undergo axillary dissection and

were followed up clinically. Median follow up was 43 months. In 3 patients (0.9%) axillary recurrences developed. All

three patients subsequently underwent a completion axillary dissection, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

The low rate of clinical axillary recurrence after an intermediate follow up period suggests that a negative SN biopsy

accurately reflects the nodal stage in patients with breast cancer.

Key Words:

• Sentinel node
• breast cancer

Additional information

Notes on contributors

E.M. Heuts

E. M. Heuts Department of Surgery, Maaslandziekenhuis Postbus 5500 6130 MB Sittard, The Netherlands Tel.: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-mail: [email protected]