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Article
Issues Related to Sentinel Lymph Node Assessment in the Management of Breast Cancer—What Are Relevant in Pathology Reports?
Pathology Research International (2011)
  • Patricia Tai
  • Kurian J. Joseph
  • Edward Yu, The University of Western Ontario
Abstract
Most cancer centers now perform sentinel node (SN) biopsies. The limited number of SNs sampled compared with an axillary dissection has allowed more comprehensive lymph node analysis resulting in increased detection of micrometastases. Many node-negative cases are now reclassified as micrometastatic. Recent research on SN biopsy focuses on whether axillary dissection is always necessary when the SN is positive. Some subgroups of patients have a higher risk of more nodal metastases when completion axillary dissections were performed. This paper summarizes the different studies and examines what are the clinically relevant items to report on SN node pathology: volume or size of nodal metastasis, location within the node, extranodal extension, number of involved SN(s) and non-SN(s), total number of SN, and total number of nodes on axillary dissection, if performed.
Keywords
  • Lymph Node,
  • Assessment,
  • Breast Cancer,
  • Pathology
Disciplines
Publication Date
2011
Citation Information
Patricia Tai, Kurian J. Joseph and Edward Yu. "Issues Related to Sentinel Lymph Node Assessment in the Management of Breast Cancer—What Are Relevant in Pathology Reports?" Pathology Research International Vol. 2011 (2011)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/edwardyu/79/