Klin Onkol 2005; 18(3): 77-79.
Summary: Sentinel node biopsy is becoming a standard procedure in early breast cancer and allows to omit axillar dissection in a substantial percentage of patients. The use of this concept in combination with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, which represents another modem therapeutic trend, is being discussed. There are two possible ways of such sentinel node biopsy application: before and after chemotherapy. Numerous studies show that both are usable. Greater attention is given to the post- chemotherapy way, according to the clinical need. Study analysis demonstrates that sentinel node biopsy after chemotherapy in experienced hands is a safe and accurate procedure, fully comparable with standard sentinel biopsy. An exaggerated scepticism towards this procedure appears unnecessary.
