Role of ultrasound in the preoperative staging of patients with breast cancer

Introduction: The most important prognostic factor in patients with breast cancer are metastases to axillary lymph nodes (ALNs). In all patients with metastatic ALNs, axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) is indicated. Over the last decade, sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy has been adopted worldwide as an alternative to ALND in staging patients with breast cancer. The SLN biopsy has minimal side effect; however, in all patients with metastases in SLN, a completion ALND is indicated. Our hypothesis was, that it is possible with ultrasound (US) examination of the axilla combined with US- guided fine needle aspirat…