Lymphatic mapping and sentinel node harvesting in patients with recurrent breast cancer.

AIMS: To evaluate the feasibility and consequences of lymphatic mapping and a ("repeat") sentinel lymph node (SLN) procedure in patients with breast cancer relapse after previous breast and axillary surgery.

METHODS: Review and presentation of a patient cohort. All SLN procedures included lymphoscintigraphy and blue dye injection technique.

RESULTS: Twelve cases are described: two patients after a previous SLN procedure and ten after a previous complete axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). Ten patients (83%) had a successful repeat SLN biopsy. After previous ALND, lymphoscintigraphy revealed drainage towards the internal mammary chain in three patients, and contralateral axillary drainage in four. Based on the information from the "repeat" SLN biopsy further treatment strategy was altered in seven of the 12 patients.

CONCLUSION: Lymphatic mapping and (repeat) SLN biopsy is possible and can be informative in patients who present with a relapse of breast cancer after previous surgery for primary breast cancer.