Does 'fast - track' axillary node clearance following positive core biopsy lead to overtreatment of axilla?

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is the preferred axillary staging procedure, although axillary node clearance (ANC) is still indicated in subgroups of patients. This study aims to review our practice of axillary treatment in node positive cancer, to determine the proportion of patients requiring ANC and to identify if this can be avoided in some patients.

Retrospective data for all breast cancer patients who underwent surgery between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2018 were included in this study. The histopathology results of ANC were correlated with axillary ultrasound findings, axillary biopsy or SLNB results and effect of neoadjuvant treatment. These were analysed against the available guidelines to evaluate the current practice.

82 patients out of 520 had ANC (15.7%). Four groups were identified: Group A included 45 patients with nodal infiltration on preoperative biopsy; Group B included 24 patients with nodal infiltration who had neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT); Group C included 11 patients with involved nodes on SLNB; Group D included 2 patients with axillary recurrence. 35.5% of patients in Group A had only 1-2 positive nodes following ANC. Complete pathological response was observed in 37.5% patients following NACT. No further nodes were subsequently found in a majority of patients who underwent ANC following positive SLNB (63.6%).

15.7% of breast cancer patients required ANC. Few patients now require ANC following positive SLNB. The practice of direct (fast-track) ANC after axillary biopsy may lead to overtreatment of the axilla, which needs re-evaluation. Targeted axillary dissection could avoid unnecessary axillary dissection in patients with abnormal nodes and in patients who have received NACT.