Axillary Reverse Mapping for Invasive Carcinoma of the Breast
Axillary Reverse Mapping for Invasive Carcinoma of the Breast
Primary Objectives:

 -  To determine the feasibility of axillary reverse mapping (ARM) in patients undergoing
 axillary lymph node dissection for breast cancer therapy.

 -  To determine the incidence of breast cancer metastasis in lymph nodes draining in the
 arm as identified by axillary reverse mapping.

 -  To determine the safety of axillary reverse mapping.
Lymphazurin is a blue dye used usually in breast cancer surgery to trace the drainage pathway
 that flows to lymph nodes. The dye will travel to the lymph system and will end up in the
 lymph nodes that are draining the arm.

 In this study, lymphazurin will be used to find the drainage routes from your arm, rather
 than your breast.

 AXILLARY REVERSE MAPPING:

 Before axillary lymph node surgery, your surgeon will inject lymphazurin into your arm. Your
 surgeon will watch how the dye flows and find the channels and nodes draining the arm. You
 will then have standard axillary lymph node (lymph nodes found under the arm) surgery. Any
 lymph nodes found that are dyed blue (lymph nodes that have traveled down the drainage
 pathways) that would normally be removed will be removed and sent to the pathology
 department. Pathologists will check the nodes to see if they have breast cancer cells in
 them. Also as part of routine care, all other axillary lymph nodes draining the breast will
 be removed and checked for breast cancer cells.

 This is an investigational study. Lymphazurin is FDA approved and commercially available. The
 use of lymphazurin with axillary reverse mapping is investigational.

 Up to 30 patients will take part in this study. All will be enrolled at M. D. Anderson.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Patients with invasive carcinoma of the breast planning to undergo axillary lymph node
 dissection at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.

 -  Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of equal to or less than
 3.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Patients with known allergies to blue dye or other contraindications to Lymphazurin.