Do we really need immunohistochemistry in sentinel node biopsy? A follow up study of cases of the Austrian Sentinel Node Study Group

Background: Isolated tumor cells, often detectable only by immunohistochemistry have an unknown significance in the prognosis of breast cancer. The Austrian Sentinel Node Study Group initiated a nationwide database of breast cancer patients undergoing sentinel node biobsy. We sought to further elucidate the clinical significance of immunohistochemical positive sentinel nodes. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of more than 4000 breast cancer patients undergoing sentinel node biopsy in Austria since 1996. The updated follow-up of patients with positive sentinel node by immunohistochemistry alone is prov…