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Sentinel Lymph Node in Early Breast Cancer: Evidence, Techniques, and Controversies

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Management of Early Stage Breast Cancer

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Abstract

The lymphatic system has historically been established as a network of vessels that works complementary to the cardiovascular system by draining the extravasated fluid from the interstitium [1]. In tumors, the lymphatics act as a conduit for transport of tumor cells to regional nodes, which in turn might facilitate systemic seeding [2]. The biological understanding of breast cancer has progressed from a purely “mechanistic model” (forming the basis of Halstedian radical resections) to Fisher’s “systemic model” (forming the basis of systemic therapy in breast cancer), and finally to “spectrum model” [3, 4]. With the evolution of evidence, the surgical management of breast cancer has been tailored from radical/supra-radical surgeries to ultra-conservative approaches. Regional management of breast cancer has also evolved with sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) becoming the “evidence-based standard” in clinically appropriate settings. In this chapter, we will trace the evolution and incorporation of SLNB in early breast cancer.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgical Oncology, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India

    Sheikh Zahoor Ahmad

  2. Department of Breast and Gynecological Oncology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham University, Kochi, Kerala, India

    D. K. Vijaykumar

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  1. Sheikh Zahoor Ahmad
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  2. D. K. Vijaykumar
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Correspondence to D. K. Vijaykumar .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiation Oncology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham University, Kochi, Kerala, India

    Beena Kunheri

  2. Department of Breast and Gynecological Oncology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham University, Kochi, Kerala, India

    D. K. Vijaykumar

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Ahmad, S.Z., Vijaykumar, D.K. (2021). Sentinel Lymph Node in Early Breast Cancer: Evidence, Techniques, and Controversies. In: Kunheri, B., Vijaykumar, D.K. (eds) Management of Early Stage Breast Cancer. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-6171-9_7

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