@article{e36186f0455111dd9fbe000ea68e967b,
title = "Does the introduction of sentinel node biopsy increase the number of node positive patients with early breast cancer? A population based study form the Danish Breast Cancer Cooperative Group",
abstract = "BACKGROUND: The validation series of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in the treatment of breast cancer have shown that 10-20% more lymph node metastases are detected. However, their impact has never been studied in populations where the method has been fully implemented. In a population-based setting, the objective of the current study was to estimate the increased risk of metastases after introduction of the sentinel lymph node biopsy technique. METHODS: We identified all new breast cancer patients in three different counties in two time periods (1996-1997 and 2002-2003). The study cohort was comprised of 2 932 patients. The main outcome was the frequency of patients with metastases. The frequencies of patients with metastases were compared as well as adjusted (using a multivariate logistic regression) and unadjusted odds-ratio for detecting lymph node metastases. RESULTS: In counties where sentinel lymph node biopsy was implemented, the frequency of patients with lymph node metastases increased significantly 7.3% (95% CI: 1.0-13.7%) and 13.3% (95% CI: 7.3-19.3%), respectively. In the county without sentinel lymph node biopsy, an insignificant increase of 6.9% (-0.1-13.9%) in the frequency of patients with metastases was seen. The adjusted odds- ratio for detecting lymph node metastases was 1.41 (1.07-1.87) and 1.70 (1.30-2.23) in the counties with SLNB. Conclusion: The frequency of patients with metastases increased significantly in counties where sentinel lymph node biopsy was implemented.",
keywords = "Adult, Aged, Breast Neoplasms, Denmark, Disease Progression, Female, Humans, Lymph Node Excision, Lymph Nodes, Lymphatic Metastasis, Middle Aged, Prognosis, Registries, Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy, Time Factors",
author = "Madsen, {Anders Husted} and Jensen, {Anni Ravnsbaek} and Peer Christiansen and Garne, {Jens Peter} and Soeren Cold and Marianne Ewertz and Jens Overgaard",
year = "2008",
month = jan,
day = "1",
doi = "10.1080/02841860701727436",
language = "English",
volume = "47",
pages = "239--247",
journal = "Acta Oncologica",
issn = "0284-186X",
publisher = "Medical Journals Sweden",
number = "2",
}