Clinical significance and management of sentinel node micrometastasis in invasive breast cancer.

Axillary node status is one of the most important prognostic indicators in patients with invasive breast cancer. Sentinel node biopsy allows an exhaustive examination of the lymph node and has led to an increased detection rate of small tumor deposits. Patients with micrometastatic deposits can have nonsentinel node involvement, including macrometastatic deposits. Sentinel node micrometastases are associated with an adverse impact on disease recurrence and survival. Axillary dissection does not offer an advantage in reducing the incidence of disease recurrence or survival. However, the long-term outcomes can be improved with the use of adjuvant chemotherapy, and it would be reasonable to consider systemic treatment in these patients.