Work

Current surgical standards in the management of the axilla

Year: 2026

Type: article

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.

Source: memo - Magazine of European Medical Oncology

DOI: 10.1007/s12254-026-01108-0

Authors: Kerstin Wimmer, Florian Fitzal

Institutions: Karolinska Institutet, Medical University of Vienna, Hanusch Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Breast Cancer Treatment Studies

Subfield: Cancer Research

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,790