Assessment of clinical palpation of the axilla as a criterion for performing the sentinel node procedure in breast cancer.

C. Lanng, J. Hoffmann, H. Galatius, Ulla Engel

60 Citationer (Scopus)

Abstract

AIMS: Clinically palpable lymph nodes (LNs) are regarded as a contraindication for performing the sentinel node (SN) procedure. Many studies have shown, however, that clinical assessment of axillary LNs is inaccurate. This study evaluated the reliability of clinical axillary LN assessment by experts and assessed whether inaccuracy can be related to LN size. METHODS: Three hundred and one consecutive breast cancer patients undergoing either axillary dissection or SN were studied prospectively. RESULTS: The risk of having metastasis to the LN was 40.4% if the preoperative clinical assessment was "non-palpable LN", 61.5% if the assessment was "palpable but benign LN" and 84.4% if it was "suspicious LN". There were no clinically significant differences in mean size either when the LN was palpable versus non-palpable, or when the LN had metastasis or not. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical assessment of axillary LNs as a criterion for offering the SN procedure is of little value.
OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftEuropean Journal of Surgical Oncology
Vol/bind33
Udgave nummer3
Sider (fra-til)281-284
Antal sider4
ISSN0748-7983
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 2007

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