Preliminary outcome analysis in patients with breast cancer and a positive sentinel lymph node who declined axillary dissection.

Background: This retrospective study was designed to provide a preliminary outcome analysis in patients with positive sentinel nodes who declined axillary dissection.

Methods: A review was conducted of patients who underwent lumpectomy and sentinel lymph node excision for invasive disease between January 1998 and July 2000. Those who were found to have sentinel lymph node metastasis without completion axillary dissection were selected for evaluation.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy followed by delayed mastectomy and reconstruction.

Background: The role of sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy with total mastectomy is evolving. In patients who desire mastectomy with immediate reconstruction, the final pathologic results of the SLN may create unique problems. Specifically, if the SLN is found to be positive on final pathology, the reconstructed patient would generally require a potentially difficult re-operation on the remaining axillary nodes.