[What is new about sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer?]

Sentinel lymph node biopsy concept was described in several reports since 1994. Technical and identification procedure, false negative risk, learning curve criteria and benefits concerning cancer stadification and postoperative morbidity were assessed. Peroperative and postoperative pathologic examination procedures are improving progressively but remains still under debate. Classification for micro-metastasis, isolated cells and macro-metastasis in sentinel lymph node was suggested but their immunohistochimic detection and prognostic impact are unclear. These parts are discussed in this article.