Comparing Early-Stage Breast Cancer Patients with Sentinel Lymph Node Metastasis with and without Completion Axillary...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Surgical Oncology
• Breast Cancer Research

Background:

• Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is standard for early-stage breast cancer axillary staging.
• Axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) is typically reserved for palpable nodes or positive SLNB.
• The necessity of completion ALND after positive SLNB requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and axillary recurrence.
• To evaluate outcomes for early-stage breast cancer patients undergoing SLNB versus SLNB with completion ALND.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search of PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library.
• Inclusion of clinical trials and cohort studies evaluated by Jadad and STROBE criteria.
• Meta-analysis of eligible studies to compare survival and recurrence rates.

Main Results:

• No significant differences were observed in OS, DFS, or axillary recurrence.
• Findings indicate comparable outcomes between SLNB alone and SLNB with completion ALND.

Conclusions:

• Completion ALND did not demonstrate improved OS, DFS, or reduced axillary recurrence.
• Current evidence does not support routine ALND for clinically node-negative patients with positive SLNB.