Sentinel Lymph Node Detection in Breast Cancer: An Innovative Technique
Paolo Izzo,
Claudia De Intinis,
Simone Sibio,
Luigi Basso,
Andrea Polistena,
Raimondo Gabriele,
Massimo Codacci-Pisanelli,
Luciano Izzo,
Sara Izzo
Affiliations
Paolo Izzo
Department of Surgery “Pietro Valdoni”, Policlinico “Umberto I”, Rome “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00128 Rome, Italy
Claudia De Intinis
Department of Surgery “Pietro Valdoni”, Policlinico “Umberto I”, Rome “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00128 Rome, Italy
Simone Sibio
Department of Surgery “Pietro Valdoni”, Policlinico “Umberto I”, Rome “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00128 Rome, Italy
Luigi Basso
Department of Surgery “Pietro Valdoni”, Policlinico “Umberto I”, Rome “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00128 Rome, Italy
Andrea Polistena
Department of Surgery “Pietro Valdoni”, Policlinico “Umberto I”, Rome “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00128 Rome, Italy
Raimondo Gabriele
Department of Surgery “Pietro Valdoni”, Policlinico “Umberto I”, Rome “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00128 Rome, Italy
Massimo Codacci-Pisanelli
Department of Surgery “Pietro Valdoni”, Policlinico “Umberto I”, Rome “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00128 Rome, Italy
Luciano Izzo
Department of Surgery “Pietro Valdoni”, Policlinico “Umberto I”, Rome “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00128 Rome, Italy
Sara Izzo
Unit of Colorectal Surgery, Department of Medical, Surgical, Neurologic, Metabolic and Ageing Sciences, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 81100 Caserta, Italy
(1) Background: Sentinel lymph node biopsy is important in the search for metastases, especially in patients with malignant breast disease. Our study proposed new techniques to prevent complications such as possible postoperative seroma formation, pain or hypoesthesia of the axillary cord and medial arm surface, as well as motor deficits, to avoid disabling outcomes and presents initial data from our experience with the sentinel lymph node biopsy technique. (2) Methods: We mainly used two radioactive tracer detection techniques and a new technique using a radiotracer called Sentimag-magtrace. The positive lymph node was located and removed to perform histologic analysis. In our study, we evaluate 100 patients who underwent breast cancer surgery. (3) Results: We calculated the identification rates of the different methods of sentinel lymph node detection and found that it was 88.9% using radioactive tracers vs. 89.5% using the magnetic tracer technology (Sentimag). (4) Conclusions: Thus, this technique avoids radiation exposure for both patients and health care providers, and can reduce costs and time.
