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Intraoperative assessment via imprint cytology and frozen section or postoperative assessment of the sentinel lymph node in breast cancer?

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Hellenic Journal of Surgery

Abstract

Aim-Background

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is considered the preferred method for the assessment of the axilla of a clinically node-negative breast cancer patient. Our aim was to assess the use of imprint cytology (IC) and frozen section (FS) on sentinel nodes.

Patients-Methods

We prospectively studied 50 consecutive cases that underwent sentinel node biopsy (SLNB) along with surgical removal of the primary tumour.

Results

The mean age of the patients was 56.36 years (32–81). The mean size of the invasive tumour was 23.74mm (0–80). Most tumours were grade 2 (50%), followed by grade 1(30%) and grade 3 (20%).

A mean number of 1.82 (1–5) SLN were identified and removed. Overall, 36% of patients had positive nodes. In two cases, IC and FS missed the cancer cells; hence, the false negative rate when compared to the paraffin section was 11.1%. The sensitivity was 88.9% and the specificity 100% for both the IC and the FS.

Conclusion

Taking in to account the current guidelines and recommendations for the SLN, we believe that an intraoperative assessment using FS is an accurate and reliable approach, sparing almost 90% of the SLN-positive patients from a second operation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. 2nd surgical Department and unit of Surgical Oncology “Korgialenio — Benakio”, Red Cross Athens General Hospital, Athens, Greece

    S. Lanitis, V. Armoutidis, G. Sgourakis, M. Korontzi & C. Tsikos

  2. Pathology department “Korgialenio — Benakio”, Red Cross Athens General Hospital, Athens, Greece

    C. Poulou, V. Samaras & K. Barbatis

  3. Rheumatology and Rehabilitation department, VFN University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic

    Ch. Karaliotas

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  1. S. Lanitis
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  2. C. Poulou
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  3. V. Armoutidis
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  4. V. Samaras
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  5. G. Sgourakis
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  6. Ch. Karaliotas
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  7. M. Korontzi
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  8. C. Tsikos
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  9. K. Barbatis
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Correspondence to S. Lanitis.

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Lanitis, S., Poulou, C., Armoutidis, V. et al. Intraoperative assessment via imprint cytology and frozen section or postoperative assessment of the sentinel lymph node in breast cancer?. Hellenic J Surg 84, 214–219 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13126-012-0029-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13126-012-0029-6

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