Prognostic impact and therapeutic implications of sentinel lymph node micro-metastases in early-stage breast cancer patients.

The prognostic value of sentinel lymph node (SLN) micro-metastases and the question whether patients with SLN micro-metastases should undergo axillary lymph node dissection remain a matter of great debate. Based on the current literature and on our own data, we provide suggestive evidence that SLN micro-metastases in early stage breast cancer patients appear to have prognostic value and should impact the decision-making regarding adjuvant therapy, however, do not necessarily require further surgical treatment.