The concept of biopsy of sentinel lymph node as the first lymph node in the pathway of lymphogenous tumor spread has been actively discussed over the past decades and has already taken its rightful place in breast and melanoma surgery. The goal of this method is to exclude vain lymphadenectomy in patients without solid tumor metastases in regional lymph nodes. In the era of minimally invasive and organ-saving operations interventions it seems obvious an idea to introduce a biopsy of sentinel lymph node in surgery of early gastric cancer. Meanwhile the complexity of lymphatic system of the stomach and the presence of so-called skip metastases are factors limiting the introduction of a biopsy of sentinel lymph node in stomach cancer. This article presents a systematic analysis of biopsy technology of signaling lymph node as well as its safety and oncological adequacy. Based on literature data it seems to us that the special value of biopsy of sentinel lymph nodes in the future will be in the selection of personalized surgical tactics for stomach cancer.
