What Is the Role and Impact of the Sentinel Node Sampling Technique in Breast Cancer Staging?
Sentinel node sampling is a technique that can reduce the morbidity and increase the specificity of axillary node dissection. Lymphatic mapping and sentinel node biopsy were initially developed for nodal staging in the malignant melanoma population.1,2 Morton and colleagues1 developed a procedure that permits intraoperative identification of the sentinel lymph node, the first node in the lymphatic basin from which the primary tumor drains. If that sentinel node is negative for metastatic disease, the remaining nodes in the lymphatic basin are also likely to be negative. Prior to surgery, the patient undergoes lymphoscintigraphy in which he or she is injected with a colloid tracer that identifies the lymphatic basins at risk for metastatic disease and the location of the sentinel node(s).1,2 Intraoperatively, the patient receives injections of a vital blue dye and radiocolloid around the primary tumor, which is taken up by the cutaneous lymphatics. The blue-staining lymphatics are follo
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