Current surgical standards in the management of the axilla
Abstract
Summary Axillary surgery in breast cancer has undergone a profound transformation in recent decades. While axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) was the unquestioned standard until the 1990s [1], associated morbidity including lymphedema rates as high as 25% in the affected arm [2], led to the widespread adoption of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). Recent data now suggest that even SLNB may be safely omitted in selected low-risk patients. This article reviews the evolution of axillary management, summarizes pivotal evidence from the INSEMA, SOUND and BOOG 13-08 trials, and discusses the clinical implications, limitations, and future directions of this ongoing de-escalation process.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Breast Cancer Treatment Studies
Breast Implant and Reconstruction
Lymphatic System and Diseases
Publication details
- Journal / source
- memo - Magazine of European Medical Oncology
- Publisher
- Springer Science and Business Media LLC
- Volume
- 19
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 80–83
- Publication date
- 1 April 2026
- Language
- EN