Role of sentinel lymph nodes in the management of breast cancer

Sentinel lymph node (SN) biopsy (SNB) and pathological examination of the lymph nodes removed by this intervention has become the standard staging method of clinically node-negative breast cancer patients. The present review focuses on the theoretical and practical defi nition of SNs, the technical aspects of SNB and their theoretical background. The use of SNB in connection with neoadjuvant systemic treatment and the diminishing indications of completion axillary lymph node dissection for macrometastatic SNs are also discussed. Changes in the aims of pathological examination of SNs and current recommendations are also summarized.