Predicting the Status of the Nonsentinel Axillary Nodes

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Abstract
SENTINEL lymph node (SLN) biopsy for breast cancer is a minimally invasive procedure that has become more widely accepted as a suitable alternative to axillary lymph node dissection. Numerous studies1-8 have documented that SLN biopsy can accurately determine the status of axillary nodes. When results of histopathologic examination of the SLNs are negative, the remaining nonsentinel nodes (NSNs) in the axilla are unlikely to contain tumor cells, even with more intensive pathological analysis of the NSNs.1 Therefore, SLN biopsy offers the advantage of eliminating axillary dissection for most patients who have negative SLNs. However, if the SLN is positive, the NSNs are much more likely to harbor metastases.