[Sentinel node biopsy and axillary clearence in early breast cancer--An algorithm with explanations and queries]

The introduction of sentinel lymph node biopsy in early breast cancer patients has substantially changed the approach to axillary management traditionally consisting of lymph node dissection. It has also rendered it more sophisticated. Several factors influence the decision on whether a patient should be offered sentinel lymph node biopsy or axillary lymph node dissection after the biopsy or instead of it. The potential options have been combined into an algorithm, of which each step is explained with the most important evidences in support or against summarized.