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Published in:

01-02-2011

The Need for Axillary Dissection in Patients with Positive Axillary Sentinel Lymph Nodes

Authors: Randal L. Croshaw, Kathleen M. Erb, Hilary M. Shapiro-Wright, Thomas B. Julian

Published in: Current Oncology Reports | Issue 1/2011

Abstract

The need for completion axillary dissection after a positive sentinel node biopsy continues to be challenged. In the 2 years since we last reviewed this subject, a number of authors have shared their experiences about micrometastatic disease and isolated tumor cells, opining both for and against axillary treatment. Data from the ACOSOG Z0011 trial and other small studies do not appear to support the use of completion axillary dissection even for macro-metastatic disease in patients with clinically node-negative (N0) disease. While existing guidelines still recommend axillary dissection for patients with clinically positive nodes, even when conversion to clinically negative disease following neoadjuvant chemotherapy has occurred, this concept is being questioned in ACOSOG Z1071 and in several other recent small trials. The surgical approach to the treatment of breast cancer continues to move away from the traditional Halstedian concept.

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Title: The Need for Axillary Dissection in Patients with Positive Axillary Sentinel Lymph Nodes
Authors: Randal L. Croshaw
Kathleen M. Erb
Hilary M. Shapiro-Wright
Thomas B. Julian
Publication date: 01-02-2011
Publisher: Current Science Inc.
Published in: Current Oncology Reports / Issue 1/2011
Print ISSN: 1523-3790
Electronic ISSN: 1534-6269
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-010-0133-0

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