Journal Club: Sentinel lymph node biopsy versus complete axillary dissection in breast cancer
Written By : Dr. Nandita Mohan
Published On 2025-04-25 06:45 GMT | Update On 2025-04-25 06:45 GMT
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This original article published in the Indian journal of Medical Sciences published by Scientific Scholar.
The objective of the study was to evaluate and compare the impact of axillary LN dissection and sentinel lymph node biopsy on the oncological outcomes of breast cancer patients.
This prospective cohort study included 160 patients with breast carcinoma who were scheduled to receive total axillary dissection. Patients were randomly assigned to undergo, together with breast surgery, either SLNB and ALND or SLNB followed by ALND only if the SLN was found positive. Follow-up included clinical examination every 4 months for the first 3 years, every 6 months for the following 2 years, and once a year thereafter. A mammography was scheduled annually.
Results showed that after 6 months follow-up, eight types of complications were reported. In particular, lymphedema was reported in 4 women among sentinel LN group and 17 women in complete dissection group, with a highly significant difference.
Collectively, 31 women among axillary dissection group had one or more complications compared with 17 women among sentinel LN group who had such complications with a significant difference. In multivariate analysis, each of older age, T2 tumor stage and ALND were significantly associated with increase the incidence of post-operative complications.
Hence, it was brought to conclusion that SLNB is a highly efficient technique for evaluating the stage of the early Breast Cancer. It is associated with less complication after surgery when compared to axillary LN dissection. Increased post-operative complications in Breast Cancer patients, whether handled with sentinel lymph node biopsy or axillary LN dissection, are independently linked with advanced age and tumor stage.
Ref: Mahmood AS, Sfyyih AN, Ahmed HA, Hussein RJ, Turkey FA, Kamal MS, et al. Sentinel lymph node biopsy versus complete axillary dissection in breast cancer: Oncological outcomes and lifestyle improvements – An Iraqi perspective. Indian J Med Sci. doi: 10.25259/IJMS_260_2024
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