J.Jpn. Surg. Soc.
ISSN 1880-1129

[Abstract] [Full Text PDF] （in Japanese / 2427KB） [Members Only And Two Factor Auth.]

J.Jpn. Surg. Soc.. 102(6): 445-448, 2001

Feature topic

SENTINEL LYMPH NODE (SLN) IN BREAST CANCER:PREDICTION OF AXILLARY METASTASIS CONFINED TO THE SLN SPARES PATIENTS FURTHER AXILLARY DISSECTION

1) Department of Surgery I, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Japan
2) Research lnstitute, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Japan

Kazuhiko Sato1), Hoshio Hiraide2), Hidetaka Mochizuki1)

Although regional control of the axilla in patients with breast cancer is important, axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) is performed mainly for staging purposes. The sentinel lymph node (SLN) that first receives lymphatic drainage from the tumor was investigated.
After SLN identification, ALND or radiation therapy is performed in patients with SLN metastasis who are also likely to have non-SLN metastasis. However, it is important to select patients with SLN metastasis who may benefit from further axillary treatment. The size of the primary tumor and the size of its SLN metastasls are reported to be associated with the presence of non-SLN metastases. Patients in whom the SLN indicates less than 20% of nodes are involved have a low probability of non-SLN involvement and therefore can avoid further axillary treatment.
Although large clinical trials are necessary for confirmation, it appear, that patients with axillary involvement confined to the SLN can be speard further ALND.

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