Using cytological rapid method in biopsy diagnostics of sentinel lymph nodes in breast cancer patients

Objective: to assess the informativity of using the cytological rapid method for examining sentinel lymph nodes in patients breast cancer. Materials and Methods. Our included 46 patients 30-85 years of age with verified breast cancer. On the day before the surgery, approximately 150-200 MBq of the 99mTc-NanoTop radiopharmaceutical were injected peritumorally into the parenchyma of the affected mammary gland. After 1.5-2 hours, lymphoscintigraphy was performed, followed by SPECT/CT. The latter helped visualizing sentinel lymph nodes. The next day after the administration of the radiopharmaceutical, during surgery, sentinel lymph nodes were identified using a gamma detector. Further on, the surgeon removed the lymph node(s) and sent it/them for the examination by the cytological rapid method. To assess the informativity of this method, we compared its results the gold standard of morphological diagnostics: histological examination of postoperative material. Results. The cytological rapid method revealed the presence of metastases in sentinel lymph nodes in 12 patients, which substantially influenced their further treatment tactics. We therefore conformed that this method is not inferior to the histological examination of the tumor. The sensitivity and specificity of the cytological rapid method are 100%. When comparing the results of cytological rapid method and planned histological examination, we revealed no discrepancies in diagnoses based on the state of the lymph nodes. Conclusion. Cytological rapid method is an informative method for sentinel lymph node detection in breast cancer patients.