Sentinel Node Biopsy for Breast Cancer

Updated recommendations allow latitude for treatment teams.

Sponsoring Organization: American Society of Clinical Oncology

Target Population: Surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, pathologists, oncology nurses

Background and Objective

Sentinel node biopsy (SNB) has been the standard of practice for node-negative breast cancer in the U.S. since 2005. These consensus guidelines update recommendations based on 9 randomized clinical trials and 13 cohort studies.

Key Recommendations

Axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) is not indicated in patients without sentinel lymph node (SLN) metastases.
In most circumstances, ALND is not indicated in patients with only one or two metastatic SLNs who are planning to undergo lumpectomy and whole-breast radiotherapy, and ALND is indicated in those undergoin…

Reviewing Author

Henry Mark Kuerer, MD, PhD, FACS

Disclosures

Speaker's BureauPhysicians’ Education Resource, LLC

RoyaltiesMcGraw-Hill Professional; UpToDate, Inc.

Editorial BoardsAnnals of Surgical Oncology

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Breast Surgeons (Chair, Publications Committee)