Sentinel node biopsies in breast cancer

Abstract

Axillary lymph node status is an important prognostic factor for early breast cancer. As traditional axillary lymph node dissection is associated with a relatively high rate of mobidity, a less invasive procedure, sentinel lymph node biopsy, is being developed which aims to accurately predict the axillary nodal status and thus, act as a guide to subsequent treatment. This new technique has a low complication rate and running costs. Although initial results are encouraging, the methodology has not been standardized across all centres. Current large-scale studies should determine whether it is a suitable replacement for traditional axillary lymph node dissection.