Background: To compare the effectiveness of patent blue dye and technetiumm colloid for sentinel lymph node biopsy SLNB in breast cancer patients regarding detection rate, aesthetic outcomes, and complications.
Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Baghdad and Warth hospitals from November till April Eighty female patients with breast cancer who underwent breast conservation surgery and SLNB using either patent blue dye or technetiumm colloid were included. The outcomes of interest were detection rate, overall aesthetic outcome, the symmetry between the breasts and the nipples, shape, and size of the operative breast, appearance of scar, and adverse events.
Results: The mean age of the included patients was The percentage of patients with positive nodes was The majority of patients had good aesthetic outcomes, with scores of 4 out of 5 for an overall aesthetic outcome, the symmetry between the breasts, the symmetry between the nipples, the shape of an operative breast, the size of the operative breast, and appearance of a scar. No major complications were reported in either group. Conclusion: Patent blue dye and technetiumm colloid are both effective and safe tracers for SLNB in breast cancer patients.
They have comparable outcomes in terms of recurrence, aesthetics, and complications. Breast cancer BC is the most prevalent malignancy in women, with a persistently high incidence 1,2. BC poses a significant threat to women's physical and mental health worldwide. However, the advent of primary systemic therapy has revolutionized BC management. With an assured overall therapeutic effect, the focus and future direction of breast surgery is centered on minimizing the extent of the operation and improving patients' quality of life, while maintaining treatment efficacy 2,3.
The first lymph node to receive drainage directly from a tumor is known as the sentinel lymph node SLN 4. The process of SLN biopsy relies on the sequential dissemination of tumor cells from the peritumoral area to the lymphatics and then to the sentinel lymph node SLN , followed by further spread to remote lymph nodes. Clinical identification of these nodes involves the injection of different dyes and radioisotopes into the site followed by surgical removal of the labeled lymph nodes allowing histopathological examination to detect the disease.
