All patients with primary breast cancer without pathologically confirmed ipsilateral axillary lymph node metastases are theoretically eligible for axillary sentinel lymph node biopsy, requiring that the primary breast tumor not invade the skin or pectoral muscle (non-T4 stage). The indications and contraindications for sentinel lymph node biopsy are subject to change as the technical means improve. The current contraindications to sentinel lymph node biopsy are:
- Inflammatory breast cancer or other stage T4 breast cancer.
- Puncture biopsy confirmed axillary lymph node metastasis.
- Gestational breast cancer.
- History of previous axillary surgery.