Our Summary

This research paper looks into a type of breast cancer surgery called oncoplastic breast reduction. This procedure can interfere with normal lymphatic drainage, which could potentially make the identification of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) - a key part of the body’s immune system - unreliable. There isn’t much data available about how successful the identification of these SLNs is after this type of surgery and there is no agreement on whether a certain procedure (SLNB) should be done at the time of the surgery. The study aimed to see how successful the identification of SLNs was after recent oncoplastic breast reduction and to look at the rates of cancer recurrence in these cases. The results showed that it is possible to find at least one SLN in all patients and there were no instances of cancer coming back within an average of 34 months after the surgery.

FAQs

  1. Can sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) be performed after an oncoplastic breast reduction?
  2. What was the success rate of identifying sentinel lymph nodes after an oncoplastic or functional breast reduction in the study?
  3. Were there any recurrences observed in patients who underwent SLNB after oncoplastic breast reduction?

Doctor’s Tip

A helpful tip that a doctor might tell a patient about sentinel lymph node biopsy after oncoplastic breast reduction is to ensure that they inform their surgeon about the procedure prior to the SLNB. This will help the surgeon plan the biopsy effectively and reduce the risk of complications or inaccurate results. Additionally, patients should closely follow their post-operative care instructions to promote healing and reduce the risk of infection. Regular follow-up appointments with their healthcare provider are also important to monitor for any signs of recurrence.

Suitable For

Patients who have undergone recent oncoplastic or functional breast reduction surgery and are undergoing partial mastectomy and reduction for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) are typically recommended sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) to assess for potential lymph node involvement and guide further treatment decisions.

Timeline

Before Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy:

  • Patient undergoes oncoplastic or functional breast reduction surgery
  • Normal lymphatic drainage may be disrupted
  • SLNB may be unreliable due to disruption of lymphatic drainage
  • SLNs may be difficult to identify

After Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy:

  • SLNB is performed after recent oncoplastic or functional breast reduction
  • At least one SLN is identified in all patients
  • No recurrences reported with an average follow-up of 34 months
  • SLNB is found to be feasible in this setting
  • Success rate of SLNB after recent breast reduction is evaluated
  • Recurrence rates in this setting are examined.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. Is a sentinel lymph node biopsy necessary for my specific case, considering I have recently undergone oncoplastic breast reduction?

  2. What is the success rate of identifying sentinel lymph nodes after oncoplastic or functional breast reduction?

  3. Are there any potential complications or risks associated with performing a sentinel lymph node biopsy after recent breast reduction surgery?

  4. How soon after my breast reduction surgery can a sentinel lymph node biopsy be performed?

  5. Will the results of the sentinel lymph node biopsy impact my treatment plan for breast cancer, if applicable?

  6. How will the sentinel lymph node biopsy be conducted in my case, considering my previous breast reduction surgery?

  7. Are there any alternative methods for assessing lymph node status in cases where a sentinel lymph node biopsy may not be feasible?

  8. What are the potential implications for future breast cancer surveillance or recurrence rates following a sentinel lymph node biopsy after oncoplastic breast reduction?

  9. How will the results of the sentinel lymph node biopsy be communicated to me and what further steps may be necessary based on those results?

  10. Are there any specific post-operative care instructions or precautions I should follow after a sentinel lymph node biopsy in the context of recent breast reduction surgery?

Reference

Authors: Martin TA, Choudhry S, Holton LH, Tafra L, Jackson RS. Journal: Am Surg. 2023 May;89(5):2056-2058. doi: 10.1177/00031348211023408. Epub 2021 May 31. PMID: 34053241