Accuracy of Ultrasound Examination of Loco-Regional Lymph Nodes in Breast Cancer Follow-Up and Its Role in the Axillary Surgical Management

Objective: Major international guidelines have not standardized the sequence of diagnostic examinations during the follow-up of a patient with a diagnosed breast cancer. The aim of this study is to investigate the accuracy of sonography in the diagnosis of loco-regional lymphatic recurrences in comparison to the core needle biopsy results. Materials and Methods: Among 6455 patients who were followed up with clinical examination, mammography and ultrasound between January 2004 and November 2011, 125 (1.93%) patients had to be investigated with a core needle biopsy of a sonographically suspicious loco-regional lymph node. Results: Among the whole series, a total of 142 ultrasound-guided core needle biopsies were performed. Follow-up for the primary tumor lasted for a median time of 6.1 years (range 1 - 27 years). Ultrasound of suspicious loco-regional lymph nodes showed a sensitivity of 89.5%, a specificity of 87.1% and a positive predictive value of 89.5%. Conclusions: In our experience, ultrasound of suspicious loco-regional lymph nodes showed good accuracy and it should be a part of the standard examinations performed during follow-up for breast cancer.