Diagnostic accuracy of sentinel lymph node biopsy in clinically node negative axilla after neo-adjuvant chemotherapy.

Abstract

Objective: To determine Diagnostic Accuracy of SLNB in a clinically node negative axilla after neo-adjuvant chemotherapy by taking ALND as gold standard. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Setting: Outpatient Department of Surgical Ward, Mayo Hospital Lahore. Period: 5^th August 2020 to 5^th March 2021. Methods: Including 43 patients with breast lump presenting in a six months duration after four cycles of neo-adjuvant therapy, restaging was done and primary surgery was performed along with SLNB followed by ALND. The hottest and blue nodes along with stained lymphatic were collected and sent for histopathology. Results: In this study sensitivity came out to be 94.6%, specificity 63%, positive predictive value of 97% and negative predictive value of 71%.Our diagnostic accuracy came out to be 93%. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study it can be concluded that SLNB should be done in all patients presenting with breast carcinoma and clinically node negative axilla to stage the axilla. It can prevent undue ALND.