文摘
SLND can precisely predict the status of the axillary lymph nodes. A sentinel node that is tumor free should predict tumor-free axillary nodes in at least 95 % of cases. The procedure is well tolerated, and axillary staging can be achieved with minimal morbidity. The procedure does have a learning curve, and thus the surgeon should validate the technique's accuracy by performing an immediate CALND in the learning phase. A successful SLND requires not only adherence to technical factors as outlined, but also collaboration from colleagues in nuclear medicine and pathology. Establishing SLND as a standard procedure and to determining whether it can be performed in isolation without CALND requires completion of several active multicenter randomized trials.