Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

AIMS: To review the established and emerging techniques in axillary lymph node prediction and explore their potential impact on clinical practice. To reliably identify patients in whom axillary lymph node surgery, including SLNB, can be safely omitted. METHODS: Searches of PubMed were made using the search terms "axilla" (or "axillary"), "lymph", "node" and "predictor" (or "prediction"). Articles from abstracts and reports from meetings were included only when they related directly to previously published work. FINDINGS: There are numerous studies in which the predictive utility of biomarkers as determinants of axillary lymph node status have been investigated. Few of these have specifically addressed the attributes of the primary tumour which could offer much potential for the prediction of tumour metastasis to the axillary lymph nodes. CONCLUSIONS: Currently, no single marker is sufficiently accurate to obviate the need for formal axillary staging using SLNB or axillary clearance.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.ejso.2006.09.003

Type

Journal article

Journal

Eur J Surg Oncol

Publication Date

05/2007

Volume

33

Pages

409 - 419

Keywords

Axilla, Biomarkers, Tumor, Breast Neoplasms, Female, Genetic Markers, Humans, Lymph Node Excision, Lymphatic Metastasis, Neoplasm Staging, Predictive Value of Tests, Prognosis, Risk Factors, Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy