'Hidden' Cancer Cells Not A Factor In Early-Stage Breast Cancer Survival Rates

A new study shows that removing lymph nodes due to the presence of occult, or microscopic, cancer cells found in the sentinel lymph node the one closest to the tumor -- has no impact on survival outcomes of women with early-stage breast cancer. The principal investigator of the study is Armando E. Giuliano, MD, of Cedars-Sinai, who already is renowned for his clinical expertise and for his seminal research on lymph node removal in women with early-stage breast cancer.

"Five-year rates of overall survival for patients with immunohistochemistry-negative SLNs were 95.7 percent and for those with immunohistochemistry-positive SLNs were 95.1 percent. Corresponding 5-year rates of disease-free survival were 92.2 percent and 90.4 percent, respectively."

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http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/231839.php
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/231788.php