The effect of an old surgical scar on sentinel node mapping in patients with breast cancer: a report of five cases

Eur J Surg Oncol. 2005 Oct;31(8):840-4. doi: 10.1016/j.ejso.2005.05.005.

Abstract

Aims: To study the significance of lymphatic drainage disruption due to a surgical scar in sentinel node mapping (SNM) in breast cancer patients.

Methods: We reviewed patients with stage I breast cancer who had undergone SNM and had an old surgical scar in the ipsilateral breast.

Results: Of 534 breast cancer patients who had undergone SNM, five patients had an old scar in the ipsilateral breast. Inter-pectoral nodes, internal nodes, intramammary nodes, and contralateral axillary nodes were identified as sentinel nodes in three cases. In the remaining two cases, no sentinel lymph nodes were identified.

Conclusions: An old surgical scar in the breast may cause lymphatic drainage disruption, resulting in abnormal radioactive colloid uptake during SNM.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Axilla
  • Breast
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Carcinoma in Situ / pathology
  • Carcinoma in Situ / surgery
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / surgery
  • Cicatrix / pathology*
  • Coloring Agents
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lymph Node Excision
  • Lymph Nodes / diagnostic imaging
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology
  • Mastectomy
  • Mastectomy, Segmental
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / pathology
  • Pectoralis Muscles
  • Radionuclide Imaging
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy / methods*

Substances

  • Coloring Agents
  • Radiopharmaceuticals