Extra-axillary sentinel node biopsy in the management of early breast cancer

EAS SNB is technically feasible in the majority of cases. Minimal morbidity occurs after an initial learning phase. IMN SNB was shown to have significant impact on the staging and management in 18% of patients when IMNs were identified with lymphoscintigraphy. The impact of other extraaxillary lymph nodes is more difficult to assess due to small numbers. As there is little morbidity and valuable information is gained in a significant percentage of cases we strongly advocate EAS SNB.