Preoperative predictive factors affecting sentinel lymph node positivity in breast cancer and comparison of their effectiveness with existing nomograms

This study aimed to establish a strong regression model by revealing the preoperative predictive factors for sentinel lymph node (SLN) positivity in patients with early stage breast cancer (ESBC). In total, 445 patients who underwent SLN dissection for ESBC were included. All data that may be potential predictors of SLN positivity were retrospectively analyzed. Tumor size >2 cm, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) + status, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), palpable tumor, microcalcifications, multifocality or multicentricity, and axillary ultrasonographic findings were defined as independent predictors of SLN involvement. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) values were 0.797, 0.808, and 0.870 for the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) nomogram, MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) nomogram, and our regression model, respectively (P < .001). The recent model for predicting SLN status in ESBC was found to be stronger than existing nomograms. Parameters not included in current nomograms, such as palpable tumors, microcalcifications, and axillary ultrasonographic findings, are likely to make this model more meaningful.