Sentinel lymph node localization in early breast cancer.

Abstract

This study supports the clinical validity of SLN biopsy in breast cancer and confirms that, unlike the blue dye technique, the learning curve with unfiltered 99mTc-sulfur colloid and the gamma detection probe is short, and SLN localization is achievable in over 90% of cases by surgeons with modest experience. The use of unfiltered 99mTc-sulfur colloid (larger particle size) with larger injected volume permits effective localization of SLNs.