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.