Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Pregnant Breast Cancer Patients: A Literature Review

This literature review analyzes current approaches to the management of pregnant patients with breast cancer (BC) using sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). SLNB represents a safe alternative to axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) in clinically node-negative patients, significantly reducing adverse surgical sequelae such as lymphedema and restricted mobility. The review presents the latest data on the use of radionuclide lymph node mapping with 99mTc (in doses ≤ 10 MBq). Data confirming the safety of the procedure for the fetus, including the absence of an increased risk of congenital anomalies or pregnancy complications, are provided. The method, besides being safe, is comparable in effectiveness and outcomes to the non-pregnant patient group. The review discusses current clinical guidelines for treating pregnant patients, which generally support the use of this approach, recommending an individualized strategy. Multidisciplinary management involving oncologists, surgeons, and obstetrician-gynecologists is critically important to balance maternal treatment efficacy with fetal safety. Articles investigating the safety and efficacy of SLNB in pregnant patients were selected for inclusion in this review using the MEDLINE, UpToDate, Web of Science, and Scopus databases.