Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Breast Cancer with Tc-99m-Tilmanocept: A Multicenter Study on Real-Life Use of a Novel Tracer

Abstract

Tc-99m-tilmanocept is a novel radiopharmaceutical for sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy in breast cancer. Our aim was to describe results with Tc-99m-tilmanocept in a heterogeneous group of breast cancer patients scheduled for SLN biopsy. Methods: Radiotracer preparation followed the manufacturer's indications. Local protocols for SLN detection within 9 participant centers were not changed for the entire duration of the study. In total, 344 patients with T1-T4, N0-N2 breast cancer (352 lesions) were included. Superficial (ntradermal or periareolar) or deep (peritumoral or intratumoral) injections were performed. The doses were adjusted depending on the scheduled time for surgery. Results: Lymphoscintigraphy was able to depict at least 1 SLN in 339 of 352 breast lesions (96.3%), and the intraoperative SLN detection rate reached 97.2%. On univariable analysis, SLN detection rates did not differ by age, clinical T or N stage, tumor location, histologic subtype, or prior neoadjuvant therapy. Lymphoscintigraphy showed higher SLN detection in patients with a normal weight (body mass index = 25), at 99.2% versus 94.6%, respectively (P = 0.031). The proportion of patients with preoperative lymphoscintigraphic detection or excised SLNs was higher with superficial than deep injections. Reinjected cases were significantly lower when superficial injection was chosen first (P