Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Breast Cancer: Current Status and Recent Progress

Abstract

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is a standard procedure used to evaluate the status of axillary lymph nodes (ALNs) that are clinically tumor-free in patients with early-stage breast cancer. Recent research on SLNB has led to continual improvements in the scope of application, accuracy in information provided, and relevance of the results for subsequent treatment. This review is based on selective searches of the Springer Publishing Company and PubMed databases for articles about progress and developments of SLNB in patients with breast cancer. The main purposes are to summarize the current status and established indications for SLNB, identify specific topics that are still under debate, and suggest specific areas where further studies are most needed.