May 29, 2018

SLNB is a technique used in early breast cancer wherein only those lymph nodes which are likely to be affected by breast cancer are identified using the dual technique- Radio-isotope and blue dye- and removed at the time of surgery. If these lymph nodes, ranging between 1 and 4 are not affected by cancer, it is unlikely the others would be, thus obviating the need for an axillary clearance ( removing all the lymph nodes in the armpit. The advantage of SLNB is that it reduces the incidence of arm swelling( Lymphedema) to less than 5% which is more than 20% after axillary clearance. The shoulder dysfunction is also much lesser after SLNB

SLNB•surgery•unlikely•affected•technique•advantage•incidence•Lymphedema•lymph nodes•axillary clearance•shoulder dysfunction•Sentinel lymph node biopsy•early breast cancer wherein