Current Indications for Seed-Marked Axillary Lymph Node Dissection in Breast Cancer.

Abstract

Purpose: Marker placement in a pathological node improves extirpation rates in breast cancer cases with limited axillary involvement. Our goal was to assess the current indications for seed-marked axillary lymph node dissection (SMALND). Methods: We conducted a descriptive observational study, including 93 patients with cN1 breast cancer treated between January 2019 and December 2023. Seed placement was performed under ultrasound guidance, days before the procedure. Intraoperative detection was achieved using a probe, and resection was confirmed radiologically. Results: The primary indication was post-neoadjuvant therapy (72 patients: 60 for chemotherapy and 12 for hormone therapy), followed by initial surgery (14) and a single axillary recurrence (8). The extirpation rate of the marked axillary lymph node was 100%. In targeted axillary dissection (TAD), the concordance rate between the sentinel node and the marked axillary node was 85%. In the 12 cases of initial surgery, axillary lymphadenectomy was avoided because the marked node matched the sentinel node and was the only one involved. Conclusions: The use of seeds was proven to be highly useful in axillary surgery, both in cases of negativization following neoadjuvant therapy and in those with low axillary involvement or a single axillary recurrence.