Determining whether cancer has spread to the lymph nodes is important in predicting survival from breast cancer and determining what treatment a patient requires. The traditional method of detecting such metastases, complete axillary node dissection, can result in lymphedema and other quality-of-life damaging side effects. The new technique of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) offers a way to test for lymph node metastases without causing the side effects of traditional axillary node dissection. Intraoperative analysis of SLNB is becoming an effective tool in assessment of the presence or absence of metastatic tumor, and therefore influences the treatment offered to the patient. Because of this central diagnostic use, as it is a new procedure, further studies need to be conducted to fully assess its role in breast cancer treatment.
