Is sentinel lymph node biopsy a real hope in the prevention of breast cancer-related lymphedema?

Abstract

More than 84 % of women with invasive breast cancer now survive more than five years. Chronic complications and disabilities such as lymphedema that occur as a result of therapeutic interventions became a major concern in those long-term survivors causing a significant decrease in their quality of life. In this review, we evaluate the impact of sentinel lymph node biopsy upon the prevention of lymphedema in light of both recently published studies and our own experience.

More than 84 % of women with invasive breast cancer now survive more than five years. Chronic complications and disabilities such as lymphedema that occur as a result of therapeutic interventions became a major concern in those long-term survivors causing a significant decrease in their quality of life. In this review, we evaluate the impact of sentinel lymph node biopsy upon the prevention of lymphedema in light of both recently published studies and our own experience.