[Intraoperative molecular assessment of sentinel nodes in the breast cancer using the Gene Search BLN Assay technique: our experience about 126 patients].

Introduction: Intraoperative molecular assay Gene Search BLN Assay (BLN) detects sentinel lymph node (SLN) metastasis in breast cancer. Our objective was to compare BLN to the definitive conventional histologic methods and to experiment the management of BLN in routine.
Material and Methods: Each SLN was cut into alternate slabs. Half slabs were analysed with the intraoperative BLN molecular method, and the other slabs with the definitive histologic method.
Results: Two hundred and thirty four SLN have been analysed (124 patients). Thirty-five SLN had metastasis for 29 patients (23.4%). BLN correctly identified 28 patients. Two cases of discordance between BLN and standard method were found, probably explained by a sample bias. The sensibility of BLN is 96.4%, the sensitivity is 99%, the predictive positive value is 96.4%, the predictive negative value is 99% and the concordance is 98.4%. The surgery time increases and there is a need to adapt the theatre organization accordingly.
Conclusion: The Gene Search BLN Assay gives a great interest for the patient, the surgeon and the pathologist because it increases the quality of the intraoperative analysis by comparison with the intraoperative conventional histology.
(Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)