Lymphatic mapping and sentinel node biopsy. New technology for women's health.

The current surgical standard of care for the management of invasive breast cancer is the complete removal of the cancer with documented negative margins by either mastectomy or lumpectomy followed by complete axillary lymph node dissection. These procedures can be associated with significant morbidity which leads to increased hospitalizations, increased overall costs and considerable discomfort and life-style changes for the patients. With sentinel node identification and biopsy, patients with probable negative lymph nodes may avoid axillary dissection, and easily be treated as outpatients.