Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Early Breast Cancer Using Methylene Blue Dye Alone: a Safe, Simple, and Cost-Effective Procedure in Resource-Constrained Settings

Cancer shared this article with you from Inoreader Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Early Breast Cancer Using Methylene Blue Dye Alone: a Safe, Simple, and Cost-Effective Procedure in Resource-Constrained Settings Via Latest Results for Indian Journal of Surgical Oncology Abstract Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is done by different techniques in clinically node-negative patients with early breast cancer. In this study, we aim to estimate the identification rates, positivity rates, cost-effectiveness, and outcomes for patients who underwent sentinel node biopsy using methylene blue dye alone. This was a retrospective review of 172 patients with early breast cancer (cT1–3, N0) who underwent SLNB using methylene blue dye alone between January 2014 and December 2018 including their follow-up details until December 2019. The mean age was 51 ± 10.3 (range: 28 to 76) years. There were 63 (36.6%) patients with cT1 tumor, 108 (62.7%) with cT2, and only 1 patient with cT3 tumor. Breast conservation surgery was performed in 62 (36%) while the remaining 110 (64%) underwent simple mastectomy. Sentinel nodes were successfully identified in 165 (95.9%) with a positivity rate of 23.6%. There was no dye-related adverse reactions intra-operatively . The mean duration of follow-up was 26.68 ± 15.9 months (range: 1–60). Chronic arm pain was present in 7 (4%) while none of the patients had lymphedema or restriction of shoulder joint motion. There were no documented axillary nodal recurrences in this cohort. Eight (4.65%) patients were detected to have systemic metastasis. One patient died of brain metastasis from bilateral breast cancer. The mean disease-free survival was 57 months (95% CI: 55–59). Sentinel lymph node biopsy using methylene dye alone is a safe, simple, and cost-effective alternative to isosulfan blue or radio isotope technique in surgical centers with resource constraints. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.