Sentinel node biopsy for breast cancer.

Sentinel node biopsy is more frequently being used as a replacement for axillary node dissection as single and multicenter trials confirm its ability to predict the presence of disease in the remaining lymph nodes. There have been a variety of techniques used with varying success and data supporting each of these techniques is presented. In addition, a number of factors have been found to influence the identification and false negative rates, and these are discussed as well. There remain many areas of controversy surrounding this new surgical technique, including: the appropriate method of pathological analysis of the sentinel node, use of lymphoscintigraphy, usefulness of internal mammary sentinel node biopsy, and use of sentinel node biopsy for ductal carcinoma in situ. The Literature is reviewed on these controversial areas.