Sentinel Lymph Node Detection, Location, and Number on SPECT/CT Can Help Predict Pathological Axillary Lymph Node Metastasis in Women with Breast Cancer

• DOI: 10.1272/jnms.jnms.2025_92-208
• Publication Date: 2025-05-20T22:10:54Z
• Authors: Meishi Hankyo; Ryusuke Murakami; Hiroyuki Takei; Keiko Yanagihara; Tomoko Kurita; Takashi Sakatani; Ryuji Ohashi; Shinichiro Kumita
• Keywords: Axilla

Use of radiocolloids for sentinel lymph node (SLN) detection in breast cancer (BC) offers the advantage utilizing single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT). This study explored whether SPECT/CT findings can predict pathological axillary (ALN) metastasis. A consecutive series patients with invasive BC (clinical stage, T1-3, N0, and M0) who underwent SLN biopsy (SLNB) using between January 2011 December 2016 were included. detection, location, number on SPECT/CT, excised SLNs, clinical characteristics analyzed relation to ALN Data from 408 (412 cases) analyzed. Patient age ranged 28 93 years (mean: 59). identified one four SLNs 1.3) 407 cases (98.8%) no 5 (1.2%). Of at least SLN, solely level I axilla 394 (96.8%), both outside 12 (2.9%), 1 (0.2%). The ALNs removed via SLNB eight 2.0). findings, including absence (P<0.001), locations an increased (P=0.034), as well removal ≥3 (P=0.028), significantly correlated yields useful information metastasis patients.