Axillary ultrasound for preoperative nodal staging in breast cancer patients: Is it of added value?

Abstract

In conclusion, a negative axillary ultrasound generally excludes the presence of pN2-pN3 disease. An axillary ultrasound cannot accurately differentiate between pN1 and pN2-pN3. It could be argued that the standard performance of an axillary ultrasound in breast cancer patients is questionable; multidisciplinary discussion could guide decisions on the use of axillary ultrasound for the individual patient.