Imaging-Based Approach to Axillary Lymph Node Staging and Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Patients With Breast Cancer.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE. This review provides historical and current data to support the role of imaging-based axillary lymph node staging and sentinel lymph node biopsy as the standard of care for axillary management in women with a diagnosis of breast cancer, before and after neoadjuvant systemic therapy. CONCLUSION. The implications of surgical trials (American College of Surgeons Oncology Group [ACOSOG] Z011 and ACOSOG Z1071) on imaging protocols for the axilla are reviewed, in conjunction with the American Joint Committee on Cancer nodal staging guidelines.