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The role of sentinel node biopsy in breast cancer management: an overview
open access
Abstract
In breast cancer the removal of axillary nodes proved to be unnecessary in more than 50% of cases. The first international studies on the use of sentinel node biopsy in breast carcinoma for the identification of patients who do not need axillary clearance suggest the high accuracy of the technique. Some practical problems still exist, however, and the optimisation of the method is not yet complete.
The use of sentinel node biopsy in breast cancer treatment might be able to provide distinctive clinical information, which can improve our knowledge about the disease?'s biological behaviour and about its treatment.
Abstract
In breast cancer the removal of axillary nodes proved to be unnecessary in more than 50% of cases. The first international studies on the use of sentinel node biopsy in breast carcinoma for the identification of patients who do not need axillary clearance suggest the high accuracy of the technique. Some practical problems still exist, however, and the optimisation of the method is not yet complete.
The use of sentinel node biopsy in breast cancer treatment might be able to provide distinctive clinical information, which can improve our knowledge about the disease?'s biological behaviour and about its treatment.
Keywords
breast; axillary nodes; sentinel node; dye; lymphoscintigraphy; gamma-probe
Title
The role of sentinel node biopsy in breast cancer management: an overview
Journal
Issue
Article type
Review paper
Pages
77-81
Published online
2000-02-25
Page views
454
Article views/downloads
1139
Bibliographic record
Nucl. Med. Rev 2000;3(1):77-81.
Keywords
breast
axillary nodes
sentinel node
dye
lymphoscintigraphy
gamma-probe
Authors
Mirella Mechella
M. Roselli
Francesco Scopinaro