REVIEW ARTICLE
Oncology
doi: 10.25005/2074-0581-2025-27-3-736-743
SENTINEL LYMPH NODE BIOPSY IN BREAST CANCER: ONGOING CONSIDERATIONS

G.G. KHAKIMOVA1,2, I.V. RESHETOV3,4, A.D. ZIKIRYAKHODZHAEV5, SH.G. KHAKIMOVA1,5

1Department of Pediatric Oncology, Palliative Care, Tashkent Pediatric Medical Institute, Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan
2Tashkent City Branch of the Republican Specialized Scientific-Practical Medical Center for Oncology and Radiology, Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan
3Levshin Institute of Cluster Oncology, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russian Federation
4Department of Oncology, Radiotherapy and Plastic Surgery, N.V. Sklifosovsky Institute of Clinical Medicine, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russian Federation
5P.A. Herzen Moscow Oncology Research Institute – Branch of the National Medical Research Radiology Center, Moscow, Russian Federation

The status of axillary lymph nodes is a crucial prognostic factor in breast cancer. Currently, sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is considered the gold standard for disease staging. This technique significantly reduces the extent of surgical intervention and helps avoid complete lymphadenectomy when no metastases are found in the SLN. Recent multicenter studies have demonstrated that SLN biopsy does not substantially impact oncological outcomes, supporting the trend toward de-escalating surgical treatment. This review analyzes publications from 2014 to 2024 available in the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and eLibrary databases. It includes studies that assess the diagnostic accuracy and prognostic value of SLN biopsy, as well as its role in patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy, where accurate staging is crucial. Additionally, the review addresses the morphological aspects of SLN evaluation, such as the use of immunohistochemistry and molecular diagnostics to detect micrometastases and isolated tumor cells. Special attention is given to modern non-invasive approaches for preoperative SLN assessment, including the use of radiopharmaceuticals, fluorescence imaging, and artificial intelligence algorithms, which can enhance diagnostic accuracy and lessen the surgical burden on patients.

Keywords: Breast cancer, sentinel lymph node, biopsy, adjuvant chemotherapy, neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

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Authors' information:

Khakimova Gulnoz Golibovna,
Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Pediatric Oncology, Palliative Care, Tashkent Pediatric Medical Institute; Oncologist-Chemotherapist, Tashkent City Branch of the Republican Specialized Scientific-Practical Medical Center for Oncology and Radiology
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-4970-5429
E-mail: hgg_doc@mail.ru

Reshetov Igor Vladimirovich,
Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Full Professor, Director of the Levshin Institute of Cluster Oncology; Head of the Department of Oncology, Radiotherapy and Plastic Surgery, N.V. Sklifosovsky Institute of Clinical Medicine, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University
Researcher ID: J-7005-2014
Scopus ID: 6701353127
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-0909-6278
SPIN: 3845-6604
Author ID: 103745
E-mail: reshetoviv@mail.ru

Zikiryakhodzhaev Aziz Dilshodovich,
Doctor of Medical Sciences, Head of the Department of Oncology and Reconstructive and Plastic Surgery of the Breast and Skin, P.A. Herzen Moscow Oncology Research Institute – Branch of the National Medical Research Radiology Center
ORCID ID: 0000-0003-4141-8414
E-mail: azizz@mail.ru

Khakimova Shakhnoza Golibovna,
Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Pediatric Oncology, Palliative Care, Tashkent Pediatric Medical Institute; Researcher, P.A. Herzen Moscow Oncology Research Institute – Branch of the National Medical Research Radiology Center
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-9491-0413
E-mail: shakhnoz.khakimova@mail.ru

Information about support in the form of grants, equipment, medications

The authors did not receive financial support from manufacturers of medicines and medical equipment

Conflicts of interest: No conflict

Address for correspondence:

Khakimova Gulnoz Golibovna
Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Pediatric Oncology, Palliative Care, Tashkent Pediatric Medical Institute; Oncologist-Chemotherapist, Tashkent City Branch of the Republican Specialized Scientific-Practical Medical Center for Oncology and Radiology

100140, Republic of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Bogishamol str., 223

Tel.: +998 (931) 045424

E-mail: hgg_doc@mail.ru


This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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