Sentinel lymph node biopsy: An overview

The original concept of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is attributed to Cabanas, who described use of the technique for the treatment and staging of penile cancer. The concept of SLNB was revived 15 years later by Morton et al., in their work using lymphatic mapping with blue dye in patients with melanoma. Ultimately, Alex and Krag introduced use of the gamma probe with radioactive colloid injections, and Giuliano et al. applied SLNB with blue-dye-based lymphatic mapping to breast surgery, influencing the techniques we use today. Sentinel node biopsy is now considered the standard of care in managing the axilla in patients with clinically negative regional nodes.