Sato et al — Altered Lymphatic Drainage Patterns in Re-SLNB
Verified verbatim
In conclusion, lymphatic drainage patterns altered in re-SLNB in patients with IBTR and previous ALND and RT were associated with alterations in lymphatic drainage patterns. More studies focusing on the clinical usefulness of re-SLNB, including outcomes after re-SLNB, are warranted.
Verified findings
- Previous RT resulted in aberrant lymphatic drainage in 60% of patients without prior axillary surgery, and 93% with prior axillary surgery
- RT reduced ipsilateral axillary drainage from 98% to 64%, and specifically increased drainage to the contralateral axilla
Hedge removed — see Fact-Check Log
Original note said “one of the conclusions is that with radiotherapy there is a higher incidence of contralateral axillary aberrant drainage (i think).” Confirmed correct — state it without the hedge.
My take
The clearest single piece of mechanistic evidence in the vault: radiotherapy → aberrant contralateral drainage, quantified. Central citation for the Discussion’s mechanism paragraph.