Frequency and predictors of axillary lymph node metastases in invasive breast cancer

Abstract

Routine ALND could be omitted in clinically node-negative patients with either a < or = 5-mm, LVI-negative tumour, or a < or = 15-mm tubular or mucinous carcinoma. Axillary lymph node dissection is still useful for determining pathological nodal status in all other cases, and in most cases with palpable ALN, as a therapeutic manoeuvre.