A clinicopathological scoring system to select breast cancer patients for sentinel node biopsy

Background Selecting patients for sentinel node biopsy, based on grade and size of the primary tumour, often results in the need for a second operation of axillary clearance since intra-operative pathological assessment of sentinel node is in its evolution at present. It may be possible to refine the clinical criteria to select patients for the type of axillary surgery. Aim By using a score based on clinicopathological predictors of axillary lymph node involvement, we hypothesise that it may be possible to identify patients at high or low risk of nodal involvement. This information can be used to assist patients to make informed decision regarding risks and benefits of sentinel node biopsy or axillary clearance. Patients and methods A score was devised based on the clinicopathological variables of 113 patients to assess the likelihood of lymph node positivity. This score was validated on an independent data set of 89 patients who underwent sentinel node biopsy and axillary surgery. Based on the score, patients were divided into two groups, high score and low score groups. For the low score group, lymph node positivity was 18% for the original score and 24% for the validation score. Lymph node positivity rate was 67% for the high score group for the original series and 65% for the validation series of patients. Conclusion A clinicopathological scoring system can assist in selecting patients with breast cancer for sentinel node biopsy.