title: Modern thoughts on lymph nodes in breast cancer.
abstract: Axillary lymph node status remains the single most useful prognostic parameter in breast cancer patients. As clinical examination, imaging techniques, and lymph node sampling methods cannot accurately assess the axillary node involvement, a complete axillary dissection should always be performed. Moreover, this technique provides an excellent treatment modality for regional disease, abolishing the need for radiotherapy to the axilla. The status of the internal mammary lymph nodes is of less importance in the management of the breast cancer patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of General, Abdominal, and Oncologic Surgery, Vrije Universiteit, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sacre
mesh_terms: D001365:Axilla; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000032:analysis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D011379:Prognosis; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D011960:Receptors, Estrogen