SENTINEL LYMPH NODE BIOPSY USING METHYLENE BLUE DYE IN EARLY BREAST CANCER. IS IT TRULY RELIABLE?

Aim: Current literature has suggested that sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) may replace axillary dissection as the nodal staging procedure of choice in early breast cancer. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and accuracy of SLNB using methylene blue dye in predicting axillary nodal status in early breast cancer with clinically impalpable axillary lymph nodes. Methods: In the period between May 2006 and April 2009, 94 patients with early breast cancer and clinically impalpable axillary lymph nodes, underwent SLNB using methylene blue dye followed by completion of axillary dissection in the same setting after taking a written consent from the patients. Results: Of included 94 patients, SLNB was successful in 86 (91.5%). Accuracy of SLNB was 95.3%, sensitivity was 88.2%, false negative rate was 11.8%, negative predictive value was 92.8% and rate of metastatic disease to sentinel nodes only, without other nodal affection, was 26.5%. Conclusion: SLNB using methylene blue dye is an accurate predictor of axillary nodal status in women with early breast cancer