Sentinel node biopsy for breast cancer patients in Japan

Sentinel node biopsy may become a standard procedure to detect lymph node metastases in early breast cancer. Numerous studies have confirmed and demonstrated the reliability of the hypothesis of sentinel node biopsy, with a high identification rate and overall accuracy connected with dye-guided and radio-guided sentinel node biopsy. To assess the benefit of sentinel node biopsy, randomized clinical trials are underway in Western countries comparing sentinel node biopsy with conventional axillary lymph node dissection. In Japan, feasibility studies on sentinel node biopsy started in the mid-1990s. The dye and radiopharmaceuticals associated with sentinel node biopsy commonly used in Western countries are not available in Japan. Japanese investigators have attempted to perform sentinel node biopsy using other dyes and radiopharmaceuticals. The results from feasibility studies have been similar to those reported previously. In conclusion, sentinel node biopsy for breast cancer patients is successful in Japan. The current status and the problems are discussed.