Oncology reports
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Review
Internal mammary sentinel node biopsy for breast cancer: is it practicable and relevant? (Review).
Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is a useful way of assessing axillary nodal status and obviates unnecessary axillary lymph node dissection for patients with node-negative breast cancer. However, SLN can also be located in the internal mammary lymph node (IMN) chain or elsewhere. The practicability and relevance of internal mammary SLN is reviewed and discussed. ⋯ However, the reported incidence of positive internal mammary SLNs is still lower than expected, because the spread of radioisotope activity is not synonymous with nodal positivity. Internal mammary SLN biopsy is considered to be still in the investigative stage. More data are needed on the correction of a internal mammary SLN and pathologic positivity, so that further clinical investigation is clearly warranted.