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Updated: May 27, 2026
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Single-port Non-liposuction Endoscopic Axillary Lymph Node Dissection in Breast Cancer Surgery
Published on: April 3, 2026
[Axillary lymph node dissection in patients with micrometastasis in sentinel lymph node: new predilections]
1Dipartimento di Chirurgia I, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria, Policlinico di Modena, Modena, Italia. maraysa@hotmail.it
Minerva Chirurgica
|November 26, 2011
Summary
Axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) is crucial for breast cancer patients with micrometastasis in sentinel lymph nodes (LS). Further analysis revealed that 19.7% of these patients had metastasis in other axillary lymph nodes, confirming the necessity of ALND.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Surgical Pathology
Context:
- Current breast cancer guidelines recommend axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) for metastasis >2 mm in sentinel lymph nodes (LS) or unidentified LS.
- Micrometastasis (0.2-2 mm) in LS presents a diagnostic challenge regarding further axillary involvement.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the necessity of ALND in breast cancer patients with confirmed micrometastasis in sentinel lymph nodes (LS).
- To identify specific clinicopathological factors associated with axillary lymph node metastasis in patients with LS micrometastasis.
Summary:
- A retrospective analysis of 1,119 patients identified 72 with LS micrometastasis.
- Of 66 patients who underwent ALND, 19.7% showed metastasis in other axillary lymph nodes.
- Factors associated with positive axillary lymph nodes included tumor size >1 cm, lobular or ductal histology, and stage II-III grading.
Impact:
- Findings support current guidelines, underscoring the importance of ALND even with micrometastasis.
- Identifies high-risk subgroups (large tumors, specific histology/grading) that may benefit from ALND.
