The role of preoperative axillary lymph node fine needle aspiration in locoregional staging of breast cancer

摘要: Preoperative ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology (UG-FNAC) of axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer emerged after the onset surgical sentinel node (SN) procedure. Today it is established as one preoperative routine procedures patients with a cytological or histological confirmation strong suspicion carcinoma, interest being that positive UG-FNAC allows to avoid SLN biopsy two-stage Our article reviews recent data literature regarding diagnostic accuracy FNAC staging, and presents experience Breast Diagnostic Centre Oslo University Hospital Ullevaal, Norway, this context. Nowadays, indicated whenever radiologist finds suspicious otherwise abnormal node, regardless size primary tumour. cost effective safe method. A diagnosis metastatic malignancy has very high false-positives are virtually non-existent. False-negatives do occur, especially partial involvement micrometastases isolated tumor cells (ITC), recommendations advocate these particular situations dissection not necessary.