Current studies and evaluations of sentinel lymph node biopsy for breast cancer / 中国癌症杂志

ABSTRACT

As a result of accuracy of staging and decreased patient morbidity,sentinel lymph node biopsy for breast cancer was quickly accepted into clinical practice.Many controversies remain in the methods and indications of sentinel lymph node biopsy.In this article,we attempt to highlight the clinical studies regarding the biopsy techniques,pathologic evaluation,indication for lymphatic mapping and eliminating axillary lymph dissection by sentinel lymph node biopsy.It is demonstrated that radioisotope and blue dye techniques are complementary.Preoperative lymphoscintigraphy is most useful for detecting an internal mammary SLN,but the practicability of internal mammary SLN biopsy is still in the investigative stage.As for intraoperative diagnosis of sentinel lymph node,imprint cytology is a quick,economic and tissue-preserving method,but not very effective in the identification of micrometastasis;axillary lymph node dissection is preferable for patients with micrometastasis.Sentinel lymph node biopsy is indicated for ductal carcinoma in situ,with prophylactic mastectomy,breast cancer patients with previous reduction mammoplasty and breast implants.Currently,NSABP B32,Z0010 and Z0011,large,prospective randomized trials are in progress to evaluate unresolved issues of SLN biopsy.Although data from these trials is not available,SLN biopsy has been widely adopted in the clinic.Consistency of technique as well as case selection has attained great significance.