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Objective: To assess the accuracy of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) using combined isotope and blue dye mapping technique. Method: Prospective analysis of 50 cases of SLNB in patients with breast cancer. Accuracy was assessed by comparing the histology of sentinel lymph node (SLN) with axillary dissection specimen. Results: Sentinel lymph nodes were localized in 47 cases (94%) and correctly predicted the axillary status in all cases (100% accuracy) with no false negative result. Frozen section analysis of SLN was associated with a 33% false negative rate. Immunohistochemical staining did not improve the detection of metastasis compared with haematoxylin–eosin paraffin sections. Conclusions: Sentinel lymph node biopsy is highly accurate in staging the nodal involvement in breast cancer using the combined mapping technique. Chinese Abstract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is a minimally invasive staging procedure for breast cancer. Results of the first 30 cases of SLNB performed at Kwong Wah Hospital, Hong Kong, were reviewed. Design: This feasibility study applied and assessed a new procedure in Chinese patients. The study was carried out at the Breast Centre, Kwong Wah Hospital, Hong Kong. Sentinel lymph node biopsy was performed with a blue dye technique alone. All patients had full axillary dissection after SLNB. Patients: Female patients with invasive carcinoma of breast and no clinical palpable axillary lymph node were included. Main outcome measures: Pathological results of both the SLN and the remaining axillary content were compared. Results and Conclusion: Sentinel lymph nodes were successfully biopsied in 83% of cases. Sensitivity was 75% and accuracy was 88%. With experience, sentinel lymph node biopsy is feasible in Chinese patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Non-palpable breast lesions present diagnostic difficulties. Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a common method used to obtain a diagnosis, but FNAC is frequently inconclusive or insufficiently accurate. Recently a vacuum-assisted biopsy device (Mammotome®, Ethicon, Endo-surgery, USA) has been introduced. The diagnostic accuracy of this biopsy device was assessed for lesions that were visible on ultrasound. Methods: Fifty ultrasound-guided mammotome biopsies were performed. All were small breast lesions primarily detected by ultrasound. All received FNAC as initial assessment. Mammotome biopsy was performed whenever the breast lesion was considered indeterminate or if it was considered benign and there were associated risk factors such as a family history of breast cancer. Results: Of 50 mammotome biopsies 45 had benign histology. Three of 45 lesions were excised at the patients’ request and were confirmed to be benign. The remaining 42 patients received an ultrasound follow up at 6 months. The lesion size remained static in 39 patients. In three patients the lesion size increased and they were excised and histology was benign. For the four malignancies diagnosed with mammotome biopsy, three patients received definitive treatment and one patient defaulted. There was one failed mammotome biopsy in the present series. Conclusions: Mammotome biopsy is an acceptable diagnostic method for small breast lesions seen on ultrasound. It reduces the need for open biopsy without compromising diagnostic accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]