• Sentinel node biopsy offers less invasive surgery in the treatment of breast cancer. Where once the removal of all of the axillary lymph nodes was the normal procedure, now dissection may be limited to a single node — the sentinel node.
• Sentinel node biopsy helps the doctor determine the stage of breast cancer (identify the extent of the cancer), with the added benefit of causing less injury to the patient than axillary dissection. This usually means a quicker, less painful recovery.
• The procedure is appropriate for breast cancer patients having lumpectomy or mastectomy. Both premenopausal and postmenopausal women may be candidates.
• If you are considering sentinel node biopsy, seek out a surgeon who has experience performing this procedure. A surgeon's experience plays an important role in achieving a successful outcome.

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