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Sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer: what a physician should know, a decade after its introduction in clinical practice
Author(s) -
SAKORAFAS G.H.,
PEROS G.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
european journal of cancer care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.849
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1365-2354
pISSN - 0961-5423
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2354.2006.00762.x
Subject(s) - medicine , sentinel lymph node , biopsy , breast cancer , axillary lymph node dissection , sentinel node , general surgery , lymph node , dissection (medical) , axillary dissection , radiology , lymph , cancer , surgery , pathology
In the era of breast conservation surgery, sentinel lymph node biopsy is increasingly used. Sentinel lymph node biopsy can be performed by using the blue dye technique, lymphoscintigraphy and the combined method. Sentinel lymph node biopsy is a minimally invasive technique which has many advantages over the classical axillary (level I and II) lymph node dissection. However, false negative results – albeit rare in experienced hands – may be a serious limitation. The physician should be familiar with this new technique. This will allow him or her to be more actively involved in the management of breast cancer patients and to understand the available management options for these patients.