Sentinel node biopsy in early breast cancer in Maribor

Aim: Today diagnosis of breast cancer is earlier. There are sizable proportion of women with breast cancer in earlier stage with tumours smaller in diameter and negative axillary lymph nodes. The surgical procedures are inclined to less radical procedures not only in conserving the breast but also in the removal of only some of the lymph nodes (sentinel nodes) instead of axillary node dissection. Methods: In our department we have done 150 procedures of sentinel node biopsies (SNB) between April 2004 and March 2007. We have used Tc 99 and methylene blue dye to identify sentinel nodes (SN) in patients with clinic…