Clinical Study of Double Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Combined with Dye Method and Marker Placement to Identify and Locate Sentinel Lymph Nodes in Patients with Breast Cancer

Objective: To explore the value of percutaneous ultrasonography combined with transvenous ultrasonography for accurate localization of sentinel lymph nodes and diagnosis of metastatic lymph nodes in patients with breast cancer. Methods: 18 cases of patients with breast cancer attending the Hainan General Hospital from May 2022 to June 2024 who were proposed to undergo axillary lymph node dissection were selected, and the ultrasonographic agent was injected subcutaneously through the areola on the 1st day before the operation, and the marker localization of the manifestation of the Sentinel lymph nodes and draw the lymphatic vessel alignment for drainage on the body surface, and record the manifestation of SLN by conventional ultrasound and dual ultrasonography. At the time of surgery, intraoperative melphalan localization was used to identify the SLN, the difference between the number of ultrasound and melphalan localization was observed, and resection was performed for pathological examination to determine whether they were metastatic or not. Results: There were 8 metastatic lymph nodes and 18 non-metastatic lymph nodes among 31 SLN. A total of 62 SLN were localized by intraoperative melphalan, of which 31 were consistent with ultrasound localization and 31 were not identified by ultrasound. The diagnostic sensitivity of SLN metastasis diagnosed by transcutaneous ultrasonography was 62.50%, specificity was 91.30%, positive predictive value was 71.43%, negative predictive value 87.50%, accuracy was 83.87%, and the AUC was 0.769;the diagnostic sensitivityof transvenous ultrasonography diagnosed was 75.00%, specificity was 75.00%, and the accuracy was 83.87%, 75.00%, specificity 91.30%, positive predictive value 75.00%, negative predictive value 91.30%, accuracy 87.10%, AUC 0.832;dual ultrasonography diagnostic sensitivity 87.50%, specificity 91.30%, positive predictive value 77.78%, negative predictive value 95.45%, accuracy 90.32%. The AUC was 0.894. Conclusion: Transcutaneous ultrasonography combined with transvenous ultrasonography can accurately localize sentinel lymph nodes and improve the sensitivity and accuracy of the diagnosis of metastatic SLN.

Interest of SPECT/CT in Detection of Sentinel Lymph Node in Breast Cancer

Aim: Assess the role of hybrid modality SPECT/CT versus planar scintigraphy in sentinel lymph node (SLN) identification in patients with breast cancer. Methods: Planar scintigraphy and hybrid modality SPECT/CT were performed in 23 women with breast cancer (mean age 59.5 years with range 25 - 82 years) with invasive breast cancer (T0, T1 and T2), without clinical evidence of axillary lymph node metastases (N0) and no remote metastases (M0), radiocolloid was injected in four subareolar sites. Planar and SPECT/CT images were separately interpreted. Results: SLNs were detected on lymphoscintigraphy in all patients (100%), taking into consideration both techniques (planar and SPECT-CT images). Planar images identified 45 SLNs in 23 women, with a mean of 1.95 per patient, whereas 56 SLNs were detected on SPECT/CT, increasing this mean to 2.43 per patient. Drainage to internal mammary lymph nodes was seen in 4 patients (17.39%). However, two foci of uptake were identified on planar image as hot SLN in two patients (8.69%);while they have been found as a false positive non-nodal site of uptake on SPECT/CT. Conclusion: SPECT/CT is more focused than planar scintigraphy in the detection of SLN in patients with breast cancer. It detects some lymph nodes not visible on planar images, excludes false positive uptake and exactly locates axillary and non-axillary SLNs.

Comparison of sentinel lymph node detection performances using blue dye in conjunction with indocyanine green or radioisotope in breast cancer patients: a prospective singlecenter randomized study

Objective:This randomized study aimed to compare the clinical efficacy between the novel dual tracer composed of indocyanine green(ICG)and blue dye(BD)and the conventional dual tracer composed of radioisotope and BD for sentinel lymph node(SLN)mapping in patients with breast cancer.Methods:This study enrolled 471 clinically lymph node-negative patients with primary breast cancer.All patients underwent mastectomy,and those undergoing sentinel lymph node biopsy(SLNB)were randomized to receive blue dye plus radioisotope(RB group)or BD plus ICG(IB group).The detection performances on SLN identification rate,positive SLN counts,detection sensitivity,and false-negative rate were compared between the two groups.Results:In the IB group,97%(194/200)of the patients who underwent the ICG and BD dual tracer injection showed fluorescentpositive lymphatic vessels within 2–5 min.The identification rate of SLNs was comparable between the IB group(99.0%,198/200)and the RB group(99.6%,270/271)(P=0.79).No significant differences were observed in the identification rate of metastatic SLNs(22.5%vs.22.9%,P>0.05,RB group vs.IB group,the same below),positive SLN counts(3.72±2.28 vs.3.91±2.13,P>0.05),positive metastatic SLN counts(0.38±0.84 vs.0.34±0.78,P>0.05),SLNB detection sensitivity(94.4%vs.92.5%,P>0.05),or false-negative rate(5.6%vs.7.5%,P>0.05)between the two groups.Conclusions:ICG can be used as a promising alternative tracer for radioisotope in SLN mapping,and when it is combined with BD in lymphangiography,it offers comparable detection sensitivity compared to the conventional lymphatic mapping strategies that are widely used in clinical practice.

A mini-review on factors and countermeasures associated with false-negative sentinel lymph node biopsies in breast cancer

Sentinel lymph node biopsy （SLNB） is a new surgical technique for local axillary lymph nodes （ALNs） of breast cancer. Large-scale clinical trials have confirmed that undergoing SLNB and ALN dissection （ALND） showed no significant difference for sentinel lymph node （SLN）-negative patients in terms of disease-free survival, overall survival and recurrence-free survival. However, false-negative results are still the main concern of physicians as well as patients who undergo SLNB instead of ALND. The American Society of Breast Surgeons established a task force to suggest acceptable standards for SLNB. In 2000, the task force recommended that the identification rate for SLNB be 85% or higher and the false-negative rate be 5% or lower. This review focuses on clinical factors （tumor volume, multifocal/multi-center cancers, neoadjuvant chemotherapy and skip metastasis）, tracer techniques and pathological factors affecting SLNB and explores methods for reducing the false-negative rate.

Usefulness of Breast MRI for Safe Omission of Axillary Lymph Nodes Dissection in Sentinel Node-Positive Breast Cancer Patients

Background: Preoperative identification of patients with extensive lymph node metastasis (LNM) is important for safe omission of axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) in sentinel node (SN)-positive (SN+) breast cancer patients. Methods: We evaluated retrospectively the collected data of 758 breast cancer patients who underwent axillary surgery between 2008 and 2017, excluding those who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Results: Of the 758 patients, 607 were not suspicious to have LNM by axillary ultrasound (AUS-), but 38 suspicious cases were found by breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Of 15 patients undergoing axillary fine needle biopsy (AFNA) due to second-look axillary ultrasound (AUS), 9 underwent ALND because of a positive AFNA (AFNA+). Among 81 (10.9%) patients undergoing ALND due to SN+ findings, 6 (7.4%) had extensive LNM (LNM ≥ 4). If MRI was not performed, among the 90 of 673 patients undergoing ALND who had SN+ findings, 12 (13.3%) had LNM ≥ 4. Conclusions: The proportion of cases with LNM ≥ 4 was reduced from 13.3% to 7.4% among patients undergoing SN biopsies combined with breast MRI. ALND might be omitted safely in SN+ cases according to detailed preoperative evaluations using additional breast MRI to ultrasound.

Accuracy of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer Patients;Single Center Experience

Purpose: Most important factor affecting prognosis of breast cancer is axillary nodal involvement. Several studies evaluated the accuracy of Sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer patients post neoadjuvant chemotherapy. In this study, we will examine accuracy and feasibility of using Sentinel lymph node biopsy in predicting axillary lymph node status in breast cancer patients after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Methods: 45 female patients with resectable, nonmetastatic breast carcinoma cases who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy were enrolled in this study according to the routine Mansoura Oncology Center—guidelines of management of breast cancer. Methylene blue dye used for detection of Sentinel lymph node. Results: Successful Sentinel lymph node detection was 82.2%. Skin involvement (T4 disease) were linked to a low identification (P = 0.005). False negative rate equals 11/27 = (40.7%).With advancement of the stage of the tumor, the incidence of false negative results increases significantly (p = 0.012) with 95% confidence interval;1.2 - 5.4. Conclusion: Sentinel lymph node should be adopted to be the standard method for axillary staging with T1-3 tumors after receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy, in T4 patients, it is associated with low detection rate & high false negative rate making it doubtful technique for axillary staging.

The Initial Implementation of the Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (SLNB) for Breast Cancer Management in Malta

Over the past two decades, the sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) based on sentinel node (SN) being the first lymph node that harbors metastases, revolutionized breast cancer management. SLNB presents much less morbidity when compared to radical axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) where all nodes are dissected irrespective of their metastatic involvement. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of SLNB by investigating whether the histological characteristics of the SNs identified using scintigraphy are predictive of the histological characteristics of the ALN basin. Methods: Fifty-five female breast cancer patients underwent lymphoscintigraphy and SLNB followed by ALND. The histological status of the SN/s was correlated to the histological status of the ALNs to determine whether the SN accurately stages the ALNs in breast cancer. Results: During surgery, SNs were successfully isolated in 52 out of 55 cases (94.5%) (range, 0 to 9). No SNs were identified in 3 cases (5.5%). Results demonstrate a significant association (p = 0.05) between the metastatic status of SNs and the corresponding ALNs in 42 out of 52 patients (80.8%), but with a high false-negative rate (FNR) of 37.5%. Conclusion: The findings of this study show that the sentinel node concept provides the benefits of SLNB in the majority of instances. However, further work is required in reducing the FNR. Once the effectiveness of SLNB as a staging technique is locally established, the need of ALND in SN-negative patients would be limited, thus improving the quality of life of Maltese breast cancer patients.

Detection of micrometastases in bone marrow and sentinel lymph nodes of breast cancer patients

To study the sensitivity and clinical significance of HE-staining,IHC and RT-PCR in detecting breast cancer micrometastases in bone marrow and sentinel lymph nodes （SLNs）. Methods ：After general anesthesia, all patients underwent bone marrow puncture and sentinel lymph node biopsy （SLNB） by 1% isosulfan blue, and then HE-staining,IHC and RT-PCR were used to detect micrometastases. Results：Of 62 patients with breast cancer whose axillary lymph nodes showed negative HE-staining results, 15 cases presented with positive RT-PCR and 9 cases showed positive IHC results positive in bone marrow micrometastases detection. PT-PCR and IHC showed good uniformity（kappa=0.6945）and there was significant difference in detective rate between these two methods （X2=4.1667,P = 0.0412）. In SLN samples, 13 showed positive RT-PCR results, while 7 showed positive IHC results. PT-PCR and IHC showed good uniformity （kappa=0.64.83）and significant difference was also found in detective rate between these two methods （X^2=4.1667 ,P = 0.0412）. Both bone marrow and SLN samples were RT-PCR positive in 3 cases, which indicated that bone marrow did not always accompany SLN micrometastases（X^2=0.067,P = 0.796）. Conclusion： Even if no axillary lymph node involvement or distant metastases are present in routine preoperative examination, micrometastases can still be detected in bone marrow or SLNs. Because the bone marrow micrometastases and axillary node micrometastses are not present simultaneously, combination test of multiple indicators will detect micrometastases more accurately.

Recent Advances in the Tracer Technology Used for Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Breast Cancer

The high incidence of breast cancer poses one of the greatest risks to female health worldwide. Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is the standard of treatment for patients with axillary lymph node-negative early-stage breast cancer. Herein, the precise use of tracers is the key to ensuring the success of SLNB. However, owing to select-few limitations of traditional tracers, their clinical application is limited. New tracer techniques, such as the near-infrared fluorescent dye method (using indocyanine green), contrast-enhanced ultrasound, and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles are being applied in clinical practice. In this paper, we review the recent progress in SLNB tracer technology.

Early Results of Omitting Completion Axillary Lymph Node Dissection in Sentinel Lymph Node Metastasis-Positive Breast Cancer Patients

Background: We investigated the early results of omitting completion axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) for axillary node metastasis-negative (N0), sentinel node (SN) metastasis-positive breast cancer patients. Patients and Methods: 489 patients had invasive N0 breast cancer treated without completion ALND, regardless of their SN metastasis status. Analyses included the associations between the SN metastasis status, clinicopathological findings and recurrence, between recurrence and clinicopathological findings, and recurrence-free survival. Results: 430 patients were SN biopsy (SNB)-negative, and 59 were SNB-positive. The SNB-positive patients received significantly more potent adjuvant therapy than the SNB-negative patients. Median follow-up was 3.7 years, and the axillary node recurrence was seen in 6 patients (1.2%) and recurrence in 21 patients. The SN status showed no associations with the clinicopathological findings or recurrence. Univariate analysis showed recurrence was associated with absence of hormonal therapy, ER-negative, PgR-negative, HER2-positive or triple-negative (TNBC) disease, a tumor ≥2.1 cm and higher nuclear grade. Multivariate analysis showed recurrence was associated with absence of hormonal therapy and a tumor ≥2.1 cm. Cox proportional hazards model showed recurrence was extremely early in ER-negative and TNBC patients. Conclusion: Completion ALND can be skipped in N0 breast cancer patients even if they are SNB-positive, but adjuvant therapy is essential.

Sentinel lymph node mapping of a breast cancer of the vulva: Case report and literature review

Ectopic breast tissue is rare and typically presents as an axillary mass. Previous reports have identified ectopic breast tissue in the vulva, but malignancy is exceedingly uncommon. We present a 62 years old with locally advanced breast carcinoma arising in the vulva demonstrates the utilization of sentinel lymph node mapping to identify metastatic lymph nodes previously unable to be identified via traditional surgical exploration.Our case supports the principles of adjuvant therapy for breast cancer to be applied to ectopic breast cancer arising in the vulva. A literature review highlights common key points in similar cases to guide management.

No Axillary Lymph Node Dissection in Breast Cancer Patients with Sentinel Lymph Node Micrometastasis

Follow-up data of a series of 75 breast cancer patients with sentinel node (SN) micrometastases only (between 0.2 and 2 mm) and favorable histopathological features of the primary tumor (well-differentiated, T1 tumors without lymphovascular invasion) who refused completion axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) or who were unsuitable for surgery were assessed in order to detect the rate of axillary recurrence after an adjuvant chemoand/or hormonal adjuvant treatment was given. The great majority of patients (81.3%) did not undergo ALND due to the existence of favorable histopathologic factors while the rest were equally distributed among over 75-year-old women (10.6%) and patients at a high surgical risk due to comorbid conditions (9.3%). Sixty-six patients (88%) underwent conservative treatment (lumpectomy followed by adjuvant breast radiotherapy) while the remaining nine patients (12%) had total mastectomy;72 out of 75 patients (96%) received some forms of adjuvant chemoand/or hormone-therapy. After a median follow-up of 38 months (range 12 - 84 months), nine out of 75 patients (12%) had a disease relapse, only one of them (1.3%) being affected by an axillary recurrence in the untreated axilla three years after primary surgery. On these grounds, completion ALND could be safely omitted in patients with SN micrometastasis and favorable histopathological characteristics of the primary neoplasm due to the very low rate of axillary recurrence with no detrimental effect on survival.

The Risk Factors of Lymphedema in Breast Cancer Patients Post Axillary Clearance

Introduction: Breast cancer is the number one malignancy affecting females in Saudi Arabia with a prevalence of 22.4%. Breast cancer incidence increases annually due to the aid of established screening programs, leading to the discovery of breast cancer in its early stages. Surgical treatment is an integral part of early breast cancer management to achieve local control. Axillary surgical interventions such sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) and axillary lymph node clearance (ALND) aim to stage the axilla as an adjunct to the management of the primary breast tumor. In this paper, we reviewed female breast cancer patients aged 30 - 60 who underwent surgical treatment of SLNB and/or ALND with reporting the prevalence of lymphedema and other associated complications and risk factors. Methodology: A cross-sectional non-interventional study, with a sample size of 250 including breast cancer cases from 2016 to 2019 at National Guard Hospital (NGH) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Results: A total of 253 breast cancer cases were included in this study, with a mean age of 53 years, 52.7% were postmenopausal and positive family history was present among 21% of cases. Further, 90.9% of the cases had unilateral disease. Staging was as follows: stage I 14.5%, stage II 45.2%, stage III 37.1%, and stage IV 3.2%. Mastectomy was done in 73.4% cases and lumpectomy was performed in 34.1% of cases. In addition, 93.3% of patients had SLNB and 49% of them were positive. Axillary dissection was performed in 69.6% of our patients. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy were given to 71.8% and 80.4% of cases respectively. Among the chemotherapy (chemo) recipients, 40.2% received adjuvant chemo, 54.5% received neoadjuvant chemo, and the remaining 5.3% received both. Further, the most prevalent complication was pain accounting for 42.1% of total complications, and the least prevalent was cellulitis 4%. Also, seroma developed in 18.3% cases, paresthesia noted in 5.6% of cases, winged scapula was reported as 2%, weakness and necrosis were seen in 6% and 13.1% of cases respectively. Axillary vein thrombosis and lymphangiosarcoma were reported in none of the patients (0%). Lymphoedema accounted for 16.1% of overall complications, 85% of the patients who developed lymphedema had undergone ALND, and 12.9% and 14.4% received radiotherapy and chemotherapy respectively. Lymphedema was observed in breast cancer stages as follows: stage I 1.2%, stage II 7.2%, and stage III 5.2%. Patients with body mass index (BMI) of 30 - 39 kg/m2 had 7.2% prevalence of lymphedema compared to other BMI groups. Overall mortality was 8.3%. Conclusion: The findings of our study suggest that the prevalence of lymphedema was higher in ALND patients with locally advanced tumors, and higher BMI, compared to patients with stage I breast cancer and low BMI. Further, the prevalence of lymphedema in patients who underwent ALND was significantly lower than those who were treated by lumpectomy 10.3% (p-value = 0.034) in comparison to mastectomy 19.3%.

Accuracy of Ultrasound Examination of Loco-Regional Lymph Nodes in Breast Cancer Follow-Up and Its Role in the Axillary Surgical Management

Objective: Major international guidelines have not standardized the sequence of diagnostic examinations during the follow-up of a patient with a diagnosed breast cancer. The aim of this study is to investigate the accuracy of sonography in the diagnosis of loco-regional lymphatic recurrences in comparison to the core needle biopsy results. Materials and Methods: Among 6455 patients who were followed up with clinical examination, mammography and ultrasound between January 2004 and November 2011, 125 (1.93%) patients had to be investigated with a core needle biopsy of a sonographically suspicious loco-regional lymph node. Results: Among the whole series, a total of 142 ultrasound-guided core needle biopsies were performed. Follow-up for the primary tumor lasted for a median time of 6.1 years (range 1 - 27 years). Ultrasound of suspicious loco-regional lymph nodes showed a sensitivity of 89.5%, a specificity of 87.1% and a positive predictive value of 89.5%. Conclusions: In our experience, ultrasound of suspicious loco-regional lymph nodes showed good accuracy and it should be a part of the standard examinations performed during follow-up for breast cancer.

SENTINEL NODE BIOPSY BY TWO KINDS OF BLUE DYES IN PATIENTS WITH BREAST CANCER

Objective To evaluate the identification successful rate of sentinel lymph node with breast cancer and the accuracy to predict axillary lymph node status in different vital blue dyes.Methods 94 patients with breast cancer were recruited for the study between Oct. 1999 and Apr. 2001, of whom 32 and 62, respectively, were injected 0.028mmol·L -1 Methylene blue and 0.018mmol·L -1 Patent blue violet in breast parenchyma surrounding the primary tumor to identify SLN.All 94 patients underwent the axillary lymph node dissection.Results For Methylene blue group and Patent blue violet group, SLN identification successful rates were 65.6% and 88.7% and accuracy rate to predict axillary lymph node status were 90.5% and 98.2% , respectively.Conclusion In identifying SLN,Patent blue violet is more ideal vital blue dye than Methylene blue, whereas the accuracy rate to predict axillary lymph node status had no significant difference.

Towards optimal management of the axilla in the context of a positive sentinel node biopsy in early breast cancer

The sentinel lymph node biopsy(SLNB) was initially pioneered for staging melanoma in 1994 and it has been subsequently validated by several trials, and has become the new standard of care for patients with clinically node negative invasive breast cancer. The focussed examination of fewer lymph nodes in addition to improvements in histopathological and molecular analysis has increased the rate at which micrometastases and isolated tumour cells are identified. In this article we review the literature regarding the optimal management of the axilla when the SLNB is positive for metastatic disease based on level 1 evidence derived from randomised clinical trials.

The Association between Sentinel Lymph Node Metastasis and Ki-67 Labeling Index

Background: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the association between sentinel lymph node (SLN) metastasis and Ki67 labeling index and to elucidate whether Ki-67 was useful or not for prediction of SLN metastasis in breast cancer. Methods: We identified 343 invasive breast cancer patients with sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) from 2003 to 2012. The association between SLN status and clinicopathological features, molecular subtypes and Ki-67 labeling index were evaluated. Results: SLN metastasis was detected in 79 patients (23.0%). SLN metastasis was significantly associated with clinical T-stage (p = 0.0003), lymphovascular involvement (LVI) (p 0.0001). Ki-67 labeling index of primary tumor was significantly lower in SLN positive patients (p = 0.0331), and Ki-67 cut-off point of 7.5% was useful for dividing SLN positive from negative (p = 0.0197). Conclusion: Low value of Ki-67 labeling index, in addition to progression of clinical T-stage and presence of LVI, is significantly associated with SLN metastasis, and it seems to be useful to consider Ki-67 labeling index for SLN metastasis prediction.

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Prior to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy: A Series of 89 Patients

Purpose: There are still un-responded questions concerning the type of and the timing of axillary procedures that has to be performed in association with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Methods: We led a prospective, multicentric, non-randomized study to evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of sentinel lymph node biopsy before neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The clinical and radiological response to chemotherapy was evaluated after 4 treatment cycles and at the end of chemotherapy. Axillary lymph node dissection was performed 3 to 4 weeks after chemotherapy. Histological analysis of sentinel lymph node biopsies and axillary lymph node dissections were studied for each patient. Results: Eighty nine patients had sentinel lymph node biopsy. The identification rate for sentinel lymph nodes was 98.9%. The sentinel lymph node biopsies were metastatic in 44 of 88 patients. Axillary lymph nodes were metastatic in 12 cases. The negative predictive value was 91.1% [95%CI: 85.1% - 97.1%]. Conclusion: Identification rate and negative predictive value of sentinel lymph node biopsy prior to neoadjuvant chemotherapy confirm that the procedure is suitable with its use in standard practice. This approach comprises two surgical procedures, but allows a better nodal status evaluation.

A Comparison of Breast Surgeon and Nomogram-Generated Risk Predictions of Sentinel and Non-Sentinel Node Metastases

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) has developed 2 nomograms: the Sentinel Lymph Node Nomogram (SLNN), which is used to predict the likelihood of sentinel lymph node (SLN) metastases in patients with invasive breast cancer, and the Non-Sentinel Lymph Node Nomogram (NSLNN), which is used to predict the likelihood of residual axillary disease after a positive SLN biopsy. Our purpose was to compare the accuracy of MSKCC nomogram predictions with those made by breast surgeons. Two questionnaires were built with characteristics of two sets of 33 randomly selected patients from the MSKCC Sentinel Node Database. The first included only patients with invasive breast cancer, and the second included only patients with invasive breast cancer and positive SLN biopsy. 26 randomly selected Brazilian breast surgeons were asked about the probability of each patient in the first set having SLN metastases and each patient in the second set having additional non-SLN metastases. The predictions of the nomograms and breast surgeons were compared. There was no correlation between nomogram risk predictions and breast surgeon risk prediction estimates for either the SLNN or the NSLNN. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curves (AUCs) were 0.871 and 0.657 for SLNN and breast surgeons, respectively (p 0.0001), and 0.889 and 0.575 for the NSLNN and breast surgeons, respectively (p 0.0001). The nomograms were significantly more accurate as prediction tools than the risk predictions of breast surgeons in Brazil. This study demonstrates the potential utility of both nomograms in the decision-making process for patients with invasive breast cancer.

New concepts in axillary management of breast cancer

In the last decades, surgical treatment of breast cancer has evolved from more extensive procedures like radical mastectomy to less invasive breast conserving surgery. Similarly, surgical management of axilla has enormously changed from routine axillary dissection to sentinel lymph node biopsy. Traditional surgical approach to the axilla in case of sentinel lymph node negativity is to avoid completion axillary dissection. However, surgeons even avoid performing axillary dissection in selected patients with positive sentinel lymph node in clinical practice depending on the recent randomized controlled studies supporting this concept. All of the recent changes in the management of positive axilla necessitate surgeons to refresh their knowledge on this challenging topic.