Research Article

Subjective morbidity and quality of life after sentinel node biopsy and axillary lymph node dissection for breast cancer

  1. Emmanuel Barranger MD1,*,
  2. Gil Dubernard MD1,
  3. José Fleurence MD1,
  4. Martine Antoine MD2,
  5. Emile Darai MD, PhD1,
  6. Serge Uzan MD1

Article first published online: 22 SEP 2005

DOI: 10.1002/jso.20343

Issue

Journal of Surgical Oncology

Journal of Surgical Oncology

Volume 92, Issue 1, pages 17–22, 1 October 2005

Additional Information

How to Cite

Barranger, E., Dubernard, G., Fleurence, J., Antoine, M., Darai, E. and Uzan, S. (2005), Subjective morbidity and quality of life after sentinel node biopsy and axillary lymph node dissection for breast cancer. J. Surg. Oncol., 92: 17–22. doi: 10.1002/jso.20343

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Gynecologic and Breast Cancers, Hôpital Tenon, 4 rue de la Chine, Paris, France

  2. 2

    Department of Pathology; Hôpital Tenon, 4 rue de la Chine, Paris, France

*Department of Gynecologic and Breast cancers, Hôpital Tenon, 4 rue de la Chine, 75020 Paris, France. Fax: 011-33-156-016-062.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 22 SEP 2005
  2. Article first published online: 22 SEP 2005
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 16 MAR 2005
  4. Manuscript Received: 18 MAY 2004

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Keywords:

  • breast cancer;
  • sentinel lymph node;
  • morbidity

Abstract

Background and Objectives

Sentinel node (SN) biopsy is a minimally invasive surgical method for axillary staging in patients with breast cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate mid-term morbidity after SN biopsy and axillary lymph node (ALN) dissection in patients with breast cancer receiving breast-sparing treatment, and to determine its impact on quality of life (QOL).

Methods

One hundred fifteen patients with breast cancer underwent breast-conserving treatment with SN biopsy alone (Group 1: n = 54), ALN dissection with or without SN biopsy (Group 2: n = 51), or SN biopsy followed by later ALN dissection (Group 3: n = 10).

Results

The mean post-operative follow-up was 20.3 months (range: 10–31 months) in Group 1, 24.3 months (range: 10–33 months) in Group 2, and 19.1 months (range: 12–28 months) in Group 3. Arm-shoulder pain was reported by 21.2% of patients in Group 1, 52.9% in Group 2, and 60% in Group 3 (P = 0.002). An arm swelling sensation was reported by 0% of patients in Group 1, 21.6% in Group 2, and 10% in Group 3. Dysesthesias were reported by 5.7% of patients in Group 1, 51% in Group 2, and 50% in Group 3 (P < 0.001). The mean global QOL self-rating score was 7.6 in Group 1, 7.6 in Group 2, and 7.7 in Group 3 (no significant difference).

Conclusions

SN biopsy is associated with significantly lower mid-term morbidity than ALN dissection. J. Surg. Oncol. 2005;92:17–22. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

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