Sentinel node biopsy to avoid axillary lymph node dissection in breast cancer

Breast Cancer. 2002;9(4):337-43. doi: 10.1007/BF02967614.

Abstract

The role of sentinel node biopsy in breast cancer has increased over the last few years. Sentinel nodes can predict the status of all axillary lymph nodes precisely and select patients with negative nodes for whom axillary dissection is unnecessary. Many problems remain, such as the ideal injection technique, ideal agents, and ideal histological detection of sentinel node metastases, and must be addressed before sentinel node biopsy becomes the standard of care for patients with breast cancer.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Axilla
  • Biopsy, Needle / methods
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / surgery
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lymph Node Excision*
  • Lymph Nodes / anatomy & histology
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology*
  • Lymphatic Metastasis / diagnosis
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy*