The accuracy of sentinel lymph-node biopsy in breast cancer after previous excisional biopsy

Aim: Sentinel node biopsy (SLNB) is considered to be the standard of care for staging the axillain clinically node-negative women with breast cancer. A previous breast excisional biopsy has been considereda contraindication to the use of SLNB.We examined the success rate of SLN localization and then theevaluation of the incidence of axillary relapse in patients with breast cancer undergoing excisional biopsy.Patients and Methods: 858 patients with breast carcinoma underwent a SLNB and only positive sentinelnodes were submitted to axillary dissection; 82 patients had undergone an excisional biopsy before. Results:The sentinel node was identified in 100% of cases, it was negative in 74.4% and positive in 23.1%. Completeaxillary dissection was performed in all positive cases, and in 74% of cases no other positive nodes werefound. The follow-up median was 63.5 months and no axillary recurrence was observed. Conclusions: SLNBaccuracy in breast cancer patients who have previously undergone excisional biopsy is comparable with thatin patients undergoing no excisional biopsy, so that it may be considered a standard procedure.