The use of sentinel lymphadenectomy to identify candidates for postoperative adjuvant therapy of melanoma and breast cancer.

Sentinel lymphadenectomy (SLND) is fast becoming the procedure of choice for staging primary breast carcinoma and melanoma. This simpler and less morbid alternative to standard lymph node dissection can increase the rate of detecting nodal disease. Because the tumor status of the regional lymph nodes remains a significant prognostic tool in both diseases, clinicians may use SLND to facilitate selection of patients for adjuvant chemotherapy. Although SLND has been validated by institutions worldwide, it continues to evolve. The following review will examine current data and controversies surrounding this emerging technology.