Techniques for sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer patients

Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer among women worldwide. Cancer cells primarily spread through the lymphatic vessels, with axillary lymph node status being one of the most reliable prognostic factors in breast cancer patients. Axillary lymph node staging in breast cancer patients was initially performed by axillary lymph node dissection. Sentinel lymph node biopsy is the standard of care in clinically and radiologically negative axilla. According to the current guidelines, double contrast is a recommended procedure for identifying the sentinel lymph node. Nowadays, several new tracers are in clinical practice with a high identification rate and low false negative results. Due to technological and resource limitations, many medical centers worldwide lack the facilities to apply new radioactive tracers. The use of blue dye alone is a reliable and effective diagnostic and surgical technique, offering a high identification rate and low false-negative results.