The role of sentinel lymph node biopsy in ductal carcinoma in situ

• Published in: European journal of surgical oncology Vol. 31; no. 10; pp. 1105 - 1111
• Main Authors: Moran, C.J., Kell, M.R., Kerin, M.J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-12-2005
• Subjects: Axilla; Breast Neoplasms - pathology; Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating - pathology; DCIS; Humans; Lymph; Lymph Nodes - pathology; Lymph Nodes - surgery; Lymphatic Metastasis; Neoplasm Staging; Node and biopsy; Sentinel; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; Node and biopsy; Sentinel; DCIS; Lymph
• ISSN: 0748-7983; 1532-2157
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejso.2005.06.005

To review the role of sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy in the surgical management of patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).
A search was conducted of Medline and the National Library of Medicine to identify key articles concerning DCIS, SLN biopsy (SLNB) and axillary dissection. Further relevant articles were obtained from the references cited in the literature.
Up to 20% of patients with a core biopsy diagnosis of DCIS will be later up-staged based on an invasive component identified on the excision specimen. Quality assurance in breast screening programmes requires minimally invasive pre-operative diagnosis and also axillary sampling in the case of documented invasive disease. As an effective and validated procedure, SLNB represents a paradigm shift in the surgical management of the axilla for patients with invasive breast cancer. It remains undefined which, if any, subgroups of patients with DCIS should undergo SLNB.
Axillary lymphadenectomy is an overtreatment for patients with DCIS. Performing a SLNB during the initial procedure may avoid a second operation in some DCIS patients who are diagnosed with occult invasive disease at their definitive operation. When predictors of hidden invasive disease are clarified by further study, SLNB may be used in the management of selected high-risk DCIS patients.