title: Sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer and the role of the oncology nurse.
abstract: The pathological status of axillary lymph nodes remains the most important prognostic indicator in the management of invasive breast cancer. Axillary lymph node dissection removes histologically negative nodes in more than 70% of stage I breast cancers with no obvious benefit to the patient. Moreover, the procedure is associated with well-described morbidity. Sentinel lymph node biopsy is a new procedure that shows promise in reducing the number of unnecessary lymph node dissections. This article describes the procedure, pertinent issues surrounding it, and nursing implications.
authors.affiliation: Breast Surgical Oncology Department, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Baron
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D000075202:Contraindications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology*; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D011379:Prognosis