Original Contribution
Use of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy to Detect Metastatic Spread in Axillary Nodes in Primary Breast Carcinoma
1.*Dr. SM. Basitur Roshid, Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, BIRDEM, Dhaka,
dr.basitroshid@gmail.com
2. Professor Mohammed Kamal, Ex Chairman, Department of Pathology, BSMMU, Dhaka.
3. Dr. Mohammad Mahabubul Hoque, Assistant Professor of Pathology, National Institute of Laboratory Medicine
and Referral Centre, Agargaon, Dhaka. drshaikat331@gmail.com
4. Dr. Muhammad Ariful Haque, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Laboratory Medicine, ICMH, Matuail, Dhaka
*For correspondence
Abstract
Objectives: Although sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is recommended approach in the evaluation
of metastatic status of lymph node in breast cancer management, the efficacy of this technique require
validation. In current study, results of patients who underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy by using
only methylene blue dye were evaluated.
Methods: The study included 17 cases of primary ductal carcinoma with tumor size up to 5.0cm.
Patients who had previous breast or axilla surgery and radiation or chemotherapy for any breast lesion
were excluded from this study. During operation 3.0 ml of sterilized methylene blue dye were
injected in peritumoral area or around the lumpectomy cavity. The axillary sentinel lymph node was
removed and later on axillary dissection was done. Imprint cytology, frozen section and routine H&E
slides were made from sentinel lymph node.
Results: The sentinel lymph node was found in all cases. Among them, eight (47.1%) cases were
positive for SLN and axillary lymph node and nine (52.9%) cases were negative for both SLN and
axillary lymph node. No false negative result was observed and no complication was recorded due to
use of methylene blue dye.
Conclusion: Sentinel lymph node biopsy is a safe and accurate method in staging the early breast
cancer. This method will reduce the unnecessary axillary lymph node dissection and other morbidity
associated with it
[Journal of Histopathology and Cytopathology, 2023 Jul; 7 (2):89-94]
Keywords: Breast cancer, Sentinel lymph node biopsy, Methylene blue dye
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