NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Jun 24 - In patients with invasive breast cancer, the incidence of sentinel node metastases appears to be increased in those who have undergone fine needle aspiration (FNA) or large-gauge needle core biopsies, researchers report in the June issue of the Archives of Surgery.

Dr. Nora M. Hansen of the John Wayne Cancer Institute at Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, California hypothesized that the method used to obtain biopsy specimens from the primary tumor before sentinel node lymph node dissection might influence the incidence of sentinel node metastases.

To investigate, the researchers studied data on 663 women with biopsy-proven invasive breast cancer. Of the 676 cancers identified in these patients, 126 were biopsied by FNA, 227 by large-gauge needle core biopsy and the remaining 323 by excisional biopsy. There was a higher incidence of sentinel node metastases in patients who had undergone FNA (odds ratio, 1.53) or large-gauge needle core biopsy (1.48) than in those who had had excision.

Tumor size and grade were also significant prognostic factors.

The researchers call for further studies to confirm these findings, and suggest that the increased incidence may be "due in part to the mechanical disruption of the tumor by the needle."

Dr. Lemmo's Comments

References

1. Arch Surg 2004;139:634-640.