Publication
Accuracy of frozen section of sentinel lymph nodes: a prospective analysis of 659 breast cancer patients of the Swiss multicenter study
Journal Paper/Review - Feb 23, 2008
Langer Igor, Zuber Markus, Burger Daniel, Infanger Eduard, Uehlinger Urs, Wight Edward, Schnarwyler Beate, Bronz Lucio, Oertli Daniel, Hess Thomas, Fehr Mathias K, Schaer Gabriel, Moch Holger, Koechli Ossi R, Berclaz Gilles, Gueller Ulrich, Swiss Multicenter Study Group Sentinel Lymph Node in Breast Cancer
Units
PubMed
Doi
Citation
Type
Journal
Publication Date
Issn Electronic
Pages
Brief description/objective
OBJECTIVE
To assess the accuracy of sentinel lymph node (SLN) frozen section in a prospective multicenter study of early-stage breast cancer patients.
SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA
The decision to perform an immediate completion axillary node dissection (ALND) is based on results of SLN frozen section. However, SLN frozen sections are not routinely performed in all centers. Moreover, the accuracy of SLN frozen section remains a matter of great debate.
METHODS
Prospective multicenter trial analyzing 659 early stage breast cancer patients (pT1 and pT2
RESULTS
SLN were identified in 98.3% (648/659) of all patients. The accuracy of frozen section was 90.1% (584/648), the sensitivity for SLN macro-metastases 98% (142/145), and the specificity 100%. A total of 47 patients with SLN micro-metastases (n=36) or isolated tumor cells (n=11) underwent a delayed completion ALND. In 96% (45/47) of these patients the ALND specimens were free of macro-metastases.
CONCLUSIONS
SLN frozen section provides highly accurate information regarding identification of SLN macro-metastases, a delayed completion ALND can be avoided in 98% of these patients. More importantly, in the present investigation the vast majority (96%) of patients with SLN micro-metastases or isolated tumor cells undergoing delayed completion ALND did not benefit from the second operation as ALND specimens were free of macro-metastases. We strongly recommend the routine use of SLN frozen section in early stage breast cancer patients.