Identification of the sentinel node in patients with breast cancer

Sentinel node analysis represents a significant advance in the diagnosis an d treatment of invasive breast cancer. The many impediments to and pitfalls in the technique of sentinel node analysis, however, must be overcome for the procedure to be reliably and consistently successful. The use of ultras ound and a smaller particle size can help overcome many of these pitfalls. Because ultrasound identification of the axillary sentinel node in patients with invasive breast cancer is possible, it may allow for percutaneous exc ision of these nodes in the future.