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Updated: Apr 28, 2026
Single-port Non-liposuction Endoscopic Axillary Lymph Node Dissection in Breast Cancer Surgery
Published on: April 3, 2026
Management of axillary disease
Abigail S Caudle1, Julie A Cupp1, Henry M Kuerer1
1Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 1484, Houston, TX 77230-1402, USA.
Accurate breast cancer staging relies on assessing lymph nodes. Sentinel lymph node dissection (SLND) offers a minimally invasive option for node-negative patients, potentially avoiding axillary lymph node dissection (ALND).
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Surgical Oncology
- Breast Cancer Research
Background:
- Nodal metastases are a critical prognostic factor in breast cancer, underscoring the importance of accurate axillary lymph node assessment for treatment planning.
- Sentinel lymph node dissection (SLND) provides a minimally invasive staging method for clinically node-negative breast cancer patients.
- Current guidelines recommend axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) for clinically node-positive patients, though emerging data may influence future recommendations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the significance of axillary nodal basin assessment in breast cancer prognosis and therapy.
- To discuss the utility of sentinel lymph node dissection (SLND) in staging node-negative breast cancer patients.
- To address the role of SLND after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and the current recommendations for node-positive patients.
Main Methods:
- Review of current practices and emerging data regarding axillary lymph node staging in breast cancer.
- Evaluation of sentinel lymph node dissection (SLND) as a minimally invasive staging technique.
- Analysis of the implications of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on surgical staging decisions.
Main Results:
- Sentinel lymph node dissection (SLND) enables reliable staging for clinically node-negative women with a minimally invasive approach.
- Performing SLND after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in node-negative patients allows for a single surgical procedure and reduces the need for axillary lymph node dissection (ALND).
- Axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) remains the recommended procedure for clinically node-positive patients, pending further trial results.
Conclusions:
- Accurate assessment of the axillary nodal basin is paramount for optimal breast cancer therapy.
- Sentinel lymph node dissection (SLND) is an effective and minimally invasive staging tool for select breast cancer patients.
- Neoadjuvant chemotherapy may alter the surgical management strategy for both node-negative and node-positive breast cancer patients, warranting consideration of SLND in specific contexts.
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