The detection of internal mammary lymph nodal chain metastases in breast cancer using radiolabelled colloids

Eur J Gynaecol Oncol. 1987;8(2):105-9.

Abstract

The authors report their studies of 39 lymphoscintigraphies performed on patients with breast cancer. They point out that interpretation of scintigraphic imaging must take into account the morphologic variations of the lymph nodes of the internal mammary chains (i.e. single central chain, single central lymph node) and the morphological difference in the symmetry of lymph nodes considered non-pathologic to avoid false positives. The authors retain that lack of visualization of a chain, conspicuous increase in size of a lymph node, asymmetry of pathologic development, or reduced uptake by one or more lymph nodes of the internal mammary chains must be interpreted as a sign of metastatic spread. The authors recommend lymphoscintigraphy as an effective technique in the screening of breast cancer patients for staging, follow-up, restaging, and planning of radiotherapy.

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lymph Nodes / diagnostic imaging*
  • Lymphatic Metastasis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Methods
  • Middle Aged
  • Radionuclide Imaging
  • Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid*

Substances

  • Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid