[Breast-conserving surgery and sentinel node procedure in Norway, 1993-2001].

BACKGROUND

The aim of the present study is to describe the development in the use of breast-conserving surgery and sentinel node procedures in Norway from 1993 to 2001, with special emphasis on geographical variations and possible relationships with the mammography screening programme.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The Cancer Registry of Norway registers diagnosis and treatment of all cases of cancer in Norway. All women diagnosed with breast cancer in the period 1993-2001 who received surgical treatment were included in the study except those with distant metastases at diagnosis.

RESULTS

During the period, there were 18,564 surgically treated female breast cancer patients without evidence of distant metastases. Breast-conserving surgery was applied in 4203 (22%) out of 19,408 cases. The proportion increased from 14% in 1993 to 36% in 2001. In most counties with mammography screening, the proportion of breast-conserving surgery in women aged 50-69 rose to 40% or more in 2001. Utilisation of sentinel node biopsy in breast-conserving surgery increased from 2% in 1998 to 55% in 2001.

INTERPRETATION

Over the 1993-2001 period, there was a strong increase in the extent of utilisation of breast-conserving surgery and sentinel node biopsy in breast cancer in Norway.