Are All Breast Cancer Patients Candidates for Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy?
Not all women with operable breast cancer who have been recommended to have some of their axillary (armpit) lymph nodes removed are candidates for sentinel node biopsy. According to a steering committee of Health Canada’s Canadian Breast Cancer Initiative, the following women are poor candidates for sentinel lymph node biopsy: • Women with palpable (able to be felt) lymph nodes • Women with locally advanced breast cancer • Women with multi-focal breast cancer (cancer in many areas of the breast) • Women who have previously undergone breast surgery (including breast reduction) • Women who have previously undergone radiation therapy to the breast Moreover, the American Cancer Society states that sentinel lymph node biopsy is most suitable if there is a single tumor less than 5 centimeters across in the breast, no prior chemotherapy or hormone therapy has been given, and the lymph nodes do not feel enlarged. Women should discuss the benefits and risks of sentinel lymph node biopsy with th
