Therapeutic attitude towards internal mammary chain drainage in patients with breast cancer

Breast. 2016 Dec:30:1-4. doi: 10.1016/j.breast.2016.08.001. Epub 2016 Aug 29.

Abstract

Internal mammary chain (IMC) is one of the main local lymph drainages in breast cancer. However, internal mammary chain sentinel lymph node biopsy (IMC-SLNB) is not always performed. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the outcomes of IMC-SLNB in our institution from 2008 to 2014. We analyzed 1346 women with breast cancer. Six-hundred twenty-two sentinel node biopsies were carried out, one out of ten in IMC territory. Adjuvant radiotherapy in this area was added when positive. IMC-SLNB is feasible, it may change tumour stage, modify adjuvant therapy and change prognosis in selected patients.

Keywords: Adjuvant radiotherapy; Early-stage breast cancer; Internal mammary chain; Lymphoscintigraphy; Sentinel lymph node biopsy.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Axilla
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lymph Nodes / diagnostic imaging
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology*
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Lymphoscintigraphy
  • Mastectomy
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Prognosis
  • Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Sentinel Lymph Node / diagnostic imaging
  • Sentinel Lymph Node / pathology*
  • Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy / methods*
  • Thoracic Wall