Sentinel lymph node biopsy plays an imperative role in surgical oncology and since its introduction has resulted in more accurate staging, better regional disease control and improved survival of patients with cancers like melanoma, breast cancer and many others. Morton and Cochran first published about the details of a sentinel lymph node biopsy procedure in 1992. German pathologist Virchow in 1863 was the first to understand the lymphatic system and in particular define the “sentinel node” as the first lymphatic an area of the body/tumour drains to. Virchows findings inspired Halstead (1894) to develop mastectomy with en bloc axillary clearance and Snow (1892) to advocate for elective lymph node dissection in patients with melanoma. This is when the lymphatic system became a major element of surgical oncology. After Morton and Cochran introduced the sentinel node biopsy technique, radical lymph node dissections were reserved for patients who actually had lymph node metastases. Morton and Cochran in 1989 used the technique of blue dye intraoperatively for sentinel node mapping in melanoma patients leading to the widespread acceptance of this approach. Later on in 1993, Alex and Krag described lymphoscintigraphy, the technique of using radiocolloid to label the sentinel node that can be detected with a gamma probe. Nowadays, lymphoscintigraphy is combined with blue dye injection before surgery and gamma detection probe intraoperatively ultimately leading to more superior results for patients.

HISTORY AND EVOLUTION OF SENTINEL LYMPH NODE MAPPING

We are pleased to welcome you to the Australasian International Breast Congress (AIBC) held jointly with the [Australasian Society for Breast Disease (ASBD)](https://www.asbd.org.au/),[6th World Congress on Controversies in Breast Cancer (CoBrCa)](http://cobrca.org/) and [Breast Surgeons of Australia and New Zealand (BreastSurgANZ) in Brisbane, Australia](https://www.breastsurganz.org/).

The Joint Congress will continue the tradition of directly addressing key issues facing clinicians in their daily practice, including medical oncology, surgery, radiation oncology, breast imaging, pathology, reconstruction, allied health and survivorship issues.

We are delighted to have assembled a stellar international and national faculty and thank all those who have agreed to participate and those who have submitted abstracts. We trust that the program is an informative and enjoyable experience.

Thank you for joining us.