Abstract
The histologic status of axillary lymph nodes, one of the most important prognostic indicators in patients with breast cancer, directly affects clinical management.
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However, over 80 percent of women who undergo axillary dissection have at least one postoperative complication in the arm, and psychological distress is common.
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A potential alternative to axillary lymphadenectomy is sentinel-node resection.
The first stop along the route of lymphatic drainage from a primary tumor is a limited set of regional lymph nodes.
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Dyes, radiographic contrast agents, and radioactive tracers have been used to identify such lymph nodes.
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More than 20 years ago, Cabanas . . .
