Quantifying the number of lymph nodes identified in one-stage versus two-stage axillary dissection in breast cancer

Purpose: To establish whether a different number of lymph nodes is identified in a delayed versus an immediate axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) in breast cancer patients. Methods: Using data from the Danish National Patient Register and the Danish Breast Cancer Cooperative Group Database we identified 864 breast cancer patients with sentinel lymph node dissection (SLND) and delayed ALND and 7393 breast cancer patients with SLND and immediate ALND operated between 2002 and 2010. We compared the number of lymph nodes identified in the two groups by a student's t-test. Results: The mean number of lymph nodes identified in patients with immediate and delayed ALND was 16.55 and 15.59, respectively. This difference was statistically significant (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: The number of lymph nodes identified in breast cancer patients is slightly reduced if delayed ALND is performed. However, the difference is small and considered to be without clinical significance. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.