Sentinel lymph node biopsy, a minimally
invasive procedure for staging patients with breast cancer, is a
rapidly evolving technique in breast surgery. In response, a task
force convened by the American Society of Breast Surgeons has issued
a consensus statement on performance and utilization criteria for
this technique.
This statement outlines performance criteria for surgeons utilizing
sentinel lymph node biopsy, identifies patients who are ineligible
for the procedure, and encourages surgeons to participate in national
registries and clinical trials that have been established for breast
cancer lymphatic mapping. Additional information and copies of the
consensus statement are available from the society at (301) 362-1722.
Dr. Michael J. Edwards, associate professor of surgery, Division of
Surgical Oncology, University of Louisville, headed the task force,
which included Dr. Armando E. Giuliano, chief of surgical oncology,
John Wayne Cancer Institute, Santa Monica, California; Dr. Douglas
Reintgen, professor of surgery, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and
Research Institute, University of South Florida; and Dr. Lorraine
Tafra, assistant professor of surgery, East Carolina University
School of Medicine.
