pro and con of internal mammary lymph node assessment for breast cancer

1
Journal of Surgical Oncology 2002;79:1 EDITORIAL Pro and Con of Internal Mammary Lymph Node Assessment for Breast Cancer WALTER LAWRENCE, JR., MD Professor of Surgical Oncology, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia The advent of sentinel lymph node mapping has led to a renewed interest in the internal mammary lymph node basin in selected breast cancer patients. As is often the case with new technology, there are divergent views. We have asked two groups, with both experience and opinions in this area, to discuss the evaluation of internal mammary nodes by sentinel lymph node biopsy and the potential impact of this approach on patient management. Correspondence to: Walter Lawrance, Jr., MD, Professor of Surgical Oncology, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond,VA 23298. Fax: (804) 828-4808. E-mail: [email protected] Accepted 20 June 2001 ß 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. DOI 10.1002/jso.10028

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Journal of Surgical Oncology 2002;79:1

EDITORIAL

Pro and Con of Internal Mammary Lymph NodeAssessment for Breast Cancer

WALTER LAWRENCE, JR., MD

Professor of Surgical Oncology, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia

The advent of sentinel lymph node mapping has led to a renewed interest in the internal mammary lymph node basinin selected breast cancer patients. As is often the case with new technology, there are divergent views. We have askedtwo groups, with both experience and opinions in this area, to discuss the evaluation of internal mammary nodes bysentinel lymph node biopsy and the potential impact of this approach on patient management.

Correspondence to: Walter Lawrance, Jr., MD, Professor of SurgicalOncology, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, VA 23298. Fax: (804)828-4808. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 20 June 2001

ß 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.DOI 10.1002/jso.10028